The picture book illustrations, like the one I'm working on in the photograph
above, are drawn in soft pastels on coloured pastel paper. It's the paper
that gives them the distinctive grainy texture. I usually do them quite a
bit larger than the finished book size, so that I can manage the detail easier.
The illustrations for book covers, like the Broomstick Witches series for
example, are quite different. They are pen and ink drawings that I scan into
my computer. I then colour them on the computer, and send my publishers the
artwork digitally.
To see a full list of my books with publishing details and ISBN numbers click on the crocodile
I have worked as a freelance illustrator for nearly 20 years,
but I wasn't always a children's illustrator (in fact, I originally trained
as a textile designer). I started off designing cards and giftware, then spent
many years illustrating for a wide range of magazines and newspapers - everything
from the Sunday Times, down to those strange trade magazines you get on 'Have
I Got News For You'. These days I specialise in writing and illustrating children's
books, and am delighted to discover that this means I also get invited to
work with children in schools, libraries and at festivals!
Although I now work mainly with primary school children, I used to teach college students. For some years I spent half the
week at the Sheffield College, lecturing in Illustration. I also taught Electronic
Imaging (more or less illustration on a computer). This involved a rather
painful learning curve, but has proved invaluable ever since. I also spent
two years working with a young people's literacy project, Need To Read, both
as a literacy tutor and running a weekly art club.
I don't have time for regular teaching work these days, but I really enjoy
running one-off workshops and giving talks. A day spent in a school or at a festival fits nicely
around my other work and gives me the opportunity to get out of the studio
and have a bit of fun with some of my readers!
When I'm not working, I like to write and perform poetry as one of 'The Electric
Tomatoes', watch a good film, get lost in a novel, eat Thai food, or walk
with my husband in the spectacular Derbyshire countryside near our home. I've also just started going to belly dancing classes!
My other big love is travel - the more unusual the better, and always with
my pocket sketchbook.
click here
for a look at the sketchbooks I bought home from recent trips to Vietnam & Namibia
