Tell us a little bit about yourself! When did you start creating?
I’m a full time illustrator, working at home with my little dog beside me (often barking at not very much). I’m impulsive, passionate and always creating. Even in the car I’ll be making note of the shapes and shadows in the trees. Mentally jotting down ideas.
I’m very emotional and try to see best in everything, if I can. Often crying over a film, piece of music or memory. Then dancing and smiling the next moment. I’m shy, yet like to shine at times. I’ve been drawing and colouring all of my life really.
My favourite thing as a child was to colour in Richard Scarry colouring books on Christmas Day, or to colour large posters on holiday with my dad and a new set of felt tip pens. I secretly hoped it would rain on holidays to Cornwall so we had to buy art materials. Art is and has always been my passion, my life.
How would you describe your artistic style in three words?
- Painterly
- Colourful
- Emotional
Can you walk us through your typical creative process? Do you sketch first or dive straight in?
Unless I have a specific brief that has a sketching stage, I rarely sketch. My process consists of traditional paintings and backgrounds in pencil, crayon, inks and gouache. These are then taken to my iPad and Mac where I work in procreate or illustrator. I use the images created to make many layers of mood, colour and texture faded in and out.
These might depict sky, land or just a hint at a floral background. I then add the main character or images to create the scene. My work is mostly spontaneous and evolves on the page, with a rough idea of what I aiming for. Usually I find the design creates itself somehow.
A flow begins and one page leads to the next. I always have music on whilst I work, something that can take me to another place, a world where my imagination can be free.
What creative conundrum have you had in the past six months and how did you solve it?
Whilst illustrating a book last year I had to create a spread that had a boy turning, spinning, whilst dancing. Each time I drew it something was wrong. Perspective, angles or just a hand in the wrong direction. I spent some time just drawing hands and bodies moving.
Eventually this enabled me to see where my boy wasn’t moving as I wanted. He got approved and is now published thankfully. I often finish or think I’ve finished a piece of work, then I’ll step away for a few hours or even a day and come back to it. This way and can see with fresh eyes anything I want to change or add. There always is something!
What can a client do to help you when briefing?
I find clear instructions including the exact sizes really helps, templates if possible. It’s rotten if a client loves the work but it’s the wrong size! Little details too such as the time of year they had in mind or the type of bird they wanted. I always do research before I begin a project but it’s lovely if the client sends over some ideas and background information too. Otherwise I could be looking at the wrong thing and end up needing to re do some pieces.
I also like lots of little deadlines or schedules, the project broken up, then I know how long to spend on each part to meet the end deadline. But I especially like a friendly contact. Someone who is straight to the point with no little questions such as ‘hope you had a good weekend’, can make the whole job seem more scary and less human. I like to know I’m working with someone who cares about what I’m doing and the creative process.
Draw yourself as a character in your favourite book, tv show or film!
Since being really small I’ve always loved the idea of other worlds. Made up or otherwise. Such as Narnia, or Enid Blytons Magic faraway tree. Later on Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. As once said in Harry Potter, of course this is happening inside your head, but why on earth would should that mean it isn’t real.
Time for some quick fire questions…
What is your drink of choice?
I drink a lot of herbal tea or decaf coffee with oat milk. But my absolute favourite drink is champagne.
What is a song that makes you want to get up and dance?
The Vaccines ‘I always knew’. I saw them at a festival a couple of years ago and danced and sang for the entire set.
How would you describe your agent, Lucie Ludds, in three words?
- Caring
- Enthusiastic
- Committed
And finally, what’s the best piece of advice you’d give to an illustrator just starting out?
Funnily enough I’ve had a few young illustrators contact me now and then for advice.
My answer is always the same. Work! All the time. The more you work the tighter your style will become. You’ll evolve and grow. If this is something you really want, it will happen. Believe in yourself and the magic will follow.
