Frequently Asked Questions
What are your inspirations? Lots of things, like everyone, but mostly nature, birds, the environment, storytelling, folklore and sustainability.
What is your favourite material to work with? Pencils, undoubtedly. But I love materials and use all sorts of paints, pastels, pens and an ipad.
How did you find your style? Honestly, I feel like I’m still looking. I’m aware that I’ve changed a lot over the years and continue to develop. That’s one of the best things about the job though, because I hate standing still. If I thought I’d settled on a way I had to work FOREVER I’d panic, I need freedom to change. If you spend enough time making art, and not worrying too much about where it’s going, you’ll develop a way of doing things that is unique to you and ta-daa you’ve found your style!
I love drawing, would you recommend a career in illustration? Hmmm, can you do anything else? Seriously, being an illustrator is brilliant and I feel very fortunate to have figured out what I’m good at, but honestly it’s really tough and I’d encourage anyone else to really consider their options. Illustration is just as hard - if not more so - than many other careers to get established in. Even if you’re excellent at drawing, it generally takes years and a great deal of self belief and persistence (unless you have some sneaky insider contacts, in which case, share?). I don’t say that to be negative, because I think it’s an wonderful job, but you do need to be prepared for a long slog and make sure you REALLY love the process. Illustrators are generally a lovely bunch, there’s loads of different avenues to try and lots of support available - just don’t expect to make a full time income very quickly!
How did you become an illustrator? I’m one of those annoying people who has always been the ‘arty one’. Maybe you are too. But I didn’t settle on pursuing illustration as a job until I was 30. Can you believe I really didn’t know it was an option until I found myself with a few pals who were studying/making children’s books (I lived in Brighton where every third person you meet is an artist)? Before that I had tried lots of things, and nothing had stuck. But a youth full of illness and isolation (yay) growing up in the Midlands and Wales made me an excellent independent learner, so after leaving the south east for a new life in Devon, I set about obsessively pursuing illustration.
And where do you live now? In Scotland, keep up.
So you’re self taught? I think all artists are self taught really, yes you can attend courses and schools and fancy academies, but in the end nobody can do the work for you. It’s up to you to develop your skills and style, and the more time you spend on that, the better you’ll be.
Ok, do you need to go to art school or not? I’m confused. It is confusing - there’s no right answer. I didn’t study illustration at university but I did do a creative degree. It’s hard to say if that had any impact on my current career. I think it helped me grow as a person but I had a rough time and would honestly rather forget most of it. If you find a place to study that suits you and has great tutors and facilities, I imagine it’s amazing! But I don’t think university is for everyone, and it’s definitely not the only route to an art career. There’s SO MANY resources available now that didn’t exist when I was starting, and unless I was dead set on the idea of a degree, I think I’d rather spend a few grand on a variety of those and not have a terrifying amount of student debt hanging over me afterwards.
Do you need an agent? Nope. Agents are ace if you get the right one (looking at you, Lorna), they can help with direction, promotion and negotiation. But the wrong agent can really hammer your confidence and push you in directions you don’t like. Publishers are happy to work with un-agented illustrators - lots of successful illustrators/authors don’t have an agent and do just fine, though you will have to learn about contracts. If you do want an agent, make yourself a solid portfolio and start applying! But don’t make the mistake of thinking having agent representation is a magic key to success, there’s still lots of work to do on the other side.
Can I buy prints of your art? Yep, here’s a link to my shop.
Do you do commissions? Sometimes! Send me an email.
Will you illustrate my children’s book? I work with publishers, so for me to illustrate your book, you’d have to have a contract in place, and then they will decide if I’m a good fit for the job. If you don’t have a publishing contract yet, I’d encourage you to submit your manuscript to some literary agents! People often think you need illustrations to approach an agent but you really don’t, unless your illustrations are as strong as your writing, just send them the text. If a publisher wants to buy your book, they’ll match it with an artist that will bring it to life.
Can you reccomend any other recources for learning illustration? Sure! Here’s some pointers: