illustration is about teamwork...
...and keeping your sense of humour. As a freelancer for over 2 decades in the industry I think I've stayed remarkably sane. But I understand the pressures of the market and the production line. I've regularly worked on projects involving tight briefs for over 200 illos per book, and my editors will confirm there are usually very few alterations needed even at rough stage.
Previous clients include Macmillan Education, , Geddes and Grosset, BRF, ACT, Collins Educational, Nelson Thornes, Parragon Books, Class Publishing (London), Autumn Publishing, Bella Magazine, Allied Artists (syndications), RMEP and The National Gallery.
I use a wide variety of mediums, but much of my illustration work is produced in acrylic or watercolour. I also do a great deal of line work illustration, particularly suitable for reading books, and cartoons (My Barney and Bates cartoon appeared weekly in The North Devon Journal when we lived on the Exmoor Coast - I miss the surfing!). I can also work in Photoshop when required and artwork can be supplied electronically worldwide.I find that one of the areas where sensitivity and in-depth knowledge is most required is in children's educational material. Over the years I have acquired a great deal of trans-cultural knowledge and this is immensely useful particularly when illustrating for minority groups, in religious education and material that's being produced for developing countries. Editors working in these areas often have a diverse team of contributors to keep happy and will need their artists to understand this! I do!
Other interests are oil painting, homeopathy and reiki, childrens welfare and human rights. And enjoying the countryside - I currently live in an English village in South Yorkshire, where I work from my home studio. And I have four children, a cat, a mouse, and a dog. Which is why I need a sense of humour!
Previous clients include Macmillan Education, , Geddes and Grosset, BRF, ACT, Collins Educational, Nelson Thornes, Parragon Books, Class Publishing (London), Autumn Publishing, Bella Magazine, Allied Artists (syndications), RMEP and The National Gallery.
I use a wide variety of mediums, but much of my illustration work is produced in acrylic or watercolour. I also do a great deal of line work illustration, particularly suitable for reading books, and cartoons (My Barney and Bates cartoon appeared weekly in The North Devon Journal when we lived on the Exmoor Coast - I miss the surfing!). I can also work in Photoshop when required and artwork can be supplied electronically worldwide.I find that one of the areas where sensitivity and in-depth knowledge is most required is in children's educational material. Over the years I have acquired a great deal of trans-cultural knowledge and this is immensely useful particularly when illustrating for minority groups, in religious education and material that's being produced for developing countries. Editors working in these areas often have a diverse team of contributors to keep happy and will need their artists to understand this! I do!
Other interests are oil painting, homeopathy and reiki, childrens welfare and human rights. And enjoying the countryside - I currently live in an English village in South Yorkshire, where I work from my home studio. And I have four children, a cat, a mouse, and a dog. Which is why I need a sense of humour!
