Picturebook Perfect

I'm taking some time this evening to look through some of my favourite picture books. Today I have selected some of the older books from my collection. The bold colours, geometric shapes and beautiful textures to be found in the illustrations in these books has hugely influenced my work and continues to inspire me in the images I create. Here are some of my all time favourites...

The Animal Fair, by Alice and Martin Provensen, 1962

Alphabet, by Alain Gree, (2012 publication of 1960s artwork)

The Illiad and The Odyssey, by Alice and Martin Provensen, 1956

Paint. Everywhere.

When I came to art college in 2011, I was pretty much clueless when it came to using Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I learned how to add colour and texture digitally to my drawings. This meant I could easily change colours or composition and add or remove elements from the artwork. I liked it. This is the way I work almost all the time now I'm out there freelancing and whatnot.

However, I've begun to realise something: I miss painting. Recently I've found myself pouring over images by some of my favourite illustrators (including Debi Gliori, Alex T Smith, Quentin Blake, Oliver Jeffers) that are paintings created 100% by hand in the 'real' world. No computer necessary (well, apart from the magical part where they go from artist's studio to the pages of books all over the world...)

So, I decided to step outside my nice neat comfort zone and see if I could paint something. Something that wasn't awful. The jury is out on that one, but it doesn't matter because I had fun.

I started with a pencil sketch for a wee story I've been working on:

Then I took to the lightbox and got my paint on! On everything. Face, hair, floor and a little bit got in my mouth. Painting is messier than I remember.

I took photos as I went! So paint also got on my phone, add that to the list.

Here is the finished article - Harold the tired (but colourful) owl and his noisy neighbours:

Out and about

For the most part, the work I do is quite solitary. I settle in the studio and work away quietly (or not so quietly...when no one shares your office space with you Disney sing-a-longs are totally allowed). However, I have recently been pulled out of my isolation to take part in some exciting events. The best part? I am still allowed to call this 'work'...

1: The Book Launch

Never Bite a Tiger on the Nose was launched last week as part of the Bookbug Pirate pack. The lovely Early Years team at Scottish Book Trust held a launch event and exhibition in Methil, Fife. It was here that the book was written as a collaboration by Lynne Rickards and a group of parents. The project was set up by HomeStart Levenmouth and grew into a wonderful creative writing project, the result of which is this book that I feel truly honoured to have illustrated.

A bookbug session was held at the event and judging by the noise seemed to prove pretty popular with the children in attendance. Lynne read the story aloud and we then signed copies for everyone. This was strange to start with (you mean I'm allowed to write my name and draw a picture on your new book...??) but I quickly got used to it. I have decided I like signing books. And doodling in books. 

And I like book launches in general because there are also snacks.

2: The Nursery Visit

The next day I paid a visit to North Berwick Nursery to draw some pictures and read the Tiger book. I was welcomed by a bigger crowd than I had expected (roughly 70 wee ones aged 2-4, two of whom are my nephews Lachie and Struan). They were a very well behaved and creative bunch so I had an easy time of it. Actually, I had a great time! (I'm not bragging but even though it was my first day I was totally asked to play on the monkey bars AND invited into the den to hang out). I have a lot of respect for the teachers, they are incredible ladies who keep everything under control while also making it sooooo much fun.

I brought colouring in sheets and we drew our favourite foods...

...my plan was then to draw the food items and animals from the book. However, I quickly learned that these kids had some really cool ideas and actually it was much more of a priority for everyone that I draw a big pirate ship. And that this pirate ship had a resident cat, spider, Spiderman, and octopus. I think we all agreed it was the right decision.

3: The Art Competition

Recently I was asked to come along to The National Gallery of Scotland to judge an art competition. Having spent years entering my own artwork into various competitions (starting with Blue Peter at the age of 7 - no, I didn't win but yes I have a badge) I found myself on the other side of the table and I felt uneasy at being given this responsibility. This was swiftly eclipsed by thorough delight at the work I saw. The age category was Primary 1-3 and submissions had come from all over Scotland, displaying incredible creativity and imagination. So my delight was squashed a little by the difficult task of actually deciding on a winner. There are some very talented young artists in this country and I can't wait to see what they are capable of.

4: The Feedback Workshop

Aaaand finally with the help of staff at the Portrait Gallery I presented some work from a new project to the public in order to gain some feedback. I am working with the galleries on a colouring and drawing book, and at this stage we felt we should put a bit of the work out there and see what people thought. 

I spent Saturday afternoon at the Portrait Gallery, armed with pens and samples from the book and found that people were very keen to get involved. 

The response was overwhelmingly positive and I am even more excited about the book than I was before the event (which is saying something, I have been dreaming about making this book for a long time).

The past two weeks have been fantastic, I've met some brilliant people and learned a lot (mainly that I really like working creatively with people of all ages...and signing books). But now it is back to the studio for me, which is fine, I have missed the quiet drawing time and I have work to do! 

Plus I haven't sung along to The Little Mermaid in almost a month.

A picture is worth 1000 words

I was recently asked by the lovely people at Scottish Book Trust to write a small piece of text for their blog - about my work and my first experience of illustrating a picture book. They also asked if I could submit a list of my favourite picture books, which turned out to be a lot harder than it sounded. My list is too long. FAR too long. 

In addressing these tasks I faced the familiar struggle of putting my thoughts and ideas into words. I love to read and to make up stories in my head, but writing has never come easily to me. Pictures are my thing. So, in coming up with my 'top 5 picture books', I sought comfort by looking at some of my favourite picture books that have no words at all. My final list had to be dramatically narrowed down and many of these books did not make it, so I thought I would use my blog to give a little nod to some beautiful works of wordless genius I have been pouring over recently. And here they are:

 My Favourite Wordless Picture Books

1. Clown by Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake's illustrations of Red Riding Hood as she 'whips a pistol from her knickers', and Fantastic Mr Fox dancing with glee as he breaks into the chicken coop will always be first to come to mind when he is mentioned. But this charming story about a lost toy clown holds it's own special place in my heart. It is a lovely story of friendship and perseverance with such lively energetic images that there is no need for words.

2. The Conductor by Laetitia Devernay

Any text on these pages would be a travesty! The stylised illustrations of trees and leaves manage to come to life in such a way that they communicate not only the simple story but also a real sense of music and movement.

3. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

I had to include this one. I always have the sound of 'Walking in the air' in my head when I look through this book. This is probably because of countless Christmases spent viewing the animated version, but I like to think the soft, sweet illustrations have something to do with it (though they can't account for David Bowie popping into my head and introducing the story...)

4. Rosie's Walk by Pat Hutchins

Okay, confession time - this one has some text. But it doesn't need the words! The humour and the real story are in the pictures alone. I remember reading this as a child and feeling SO clever that I could see the accidents waiting to befall the oblivious fox (while silly grown ups busy reading the words had no idea!)

Admittedly I am sitting in my studio reading these books alone (and having a lovely time thank you very much) but the best thing about picture books with few words is the experience you can have when you share the book with a child. Point things out, spend time over the illustrations, or even have a play and make up your own story to go with the images. I think I know what books I'm taking next time I visit my nephews...

Never Bite a Tiger!

This morning I was very excited to hear the post pop through the letterbox (and not just because I was staring blankly at a very confusing and out of date spreadsheet and desperate for a distraction) because today I was expecting something special.

The preview copies of 'Never Bite a Tiger on the Nose', to be precise. This is the picture book I alluded to working on a few months back and I'm very chuffed to have my hands on the final printed and bound book...

A snap of the front covers

The book was written by the brilliant Lynne Rickards and has been published by Scottish Book Trust. The plan is to distribute it for free to children across Scotland in March as part of the BookBug toddler packs. Not only was it a joy to work on this book (I think I could happily draw that monkey all day), but I was honoured to be involved in a project which encourages reading as a family and healthy eating. And also, nothing beats getting a free book! Here are some of the interior pages:

 Oh, and it's also in Gaelic! Which is very cool.