Working as a children’s librarian has given me access to some of the best children’s books and a world of inspiration.
Howl’s moving Castle
These are some of my favourite silhouette drawings, originally created for a Folio Society competition.
Nevermoor
I was fortunate enough to get a proof copy of the first Nevermoor book and immediately fell in love with the world and its characters. I began drawing illustrations in a mix of styles including full colour and then decided to re-draw them in greyscale/ black and white, intended for an illustrated copy.
Malamander
Thomas Taylor’s Eerie on Sea books have more fantastic world building and incredible characters. There’s a really dark edge to the stories, particularly the first book, and I wanted to capture that atmosphere even if the art isn’t of a style that would make it into the books as interior illustrations.
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my favourite of these books but I was very taken by the imagery in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The wind in the willows
This was another choice for illustrators in the 2018 Undiscovered Voices competition. I experimented with art for a full colour and black and white edition.
Harry Potter
I was influenced by both the character interaction and the action in these books. The classroom setting is a history of magic lesson. Harry and Ron are paying no attention (to the annoyance of Hermione). Ron has notably outgrown his hand-me-down uniform.
His Dark Materials
This armoured bear was a return to detailed pen and ink work with a classic feel.
Treasure Island
Experimenting with sepia tone paper to allow use of black and white ink.
