Emma McCann is an illustrator of children’s books, both her own (Munch; Fish Don’t Play Ball) and other people’s work. She lives in Brighton and is a member of the Brighton Illustrators Group. Here, she gives tips to those of you who fancy trying to earn money with pencils and paints.
How did you get into illustration as a career?
After my A Levels, I did a Foundation Year in Art and Design at Reigate School of Art and Design, then a three-year BA in Illustration at Kingston University. For my final project I produced my own children’s book which was picked up by Meadowside Children’s Books at my degree show.
Which illustrators inspire you? Whose work inspired you to first get into illustrating?
Loads of them! My favourites change all the time, but I love the likes of Mini Grey, David Roberts, Oliver Jeffers and Russel Ayto. I have a copy of East of the Sun and West of The Moon illustrated by PJ Lynch that really made me want to get in to illustration – even though our techniques are nothing alike!
What materials do you use? What’s your favourite technique?
Styles and ways and methods are constantly evolving, but at the moment I use something I call “digital collage”. This basically involves drawing out my characters with dip pen and ink, scanning them into Photoshop, then colouring them using a combination of flat digital colour and papers and watercolour swatches I’ve made myself and then scanned. You get a nice finish that’s neat and tidy, yet also full of texture. Most of my older work is all hand-painted using gouache paints with coloured pencil over the top, so this way definitely saves me time!
Who or what are your favourite characters?
Wow, that’s hard. I love Charlie and Lola. The way Lauren Child writes is just hilarious, she gets Lola so spot-on. I much prefer the original books to the TV series, though. I am Too Absolutely Small For School is just genius.
What’s your favourite type of job to do?
One with lots of time and pleasant clients! At the moment I’m working on the illustrations for a junior novel and that’s fab because I’ve never done that type of book before. Black and white is lots of fun.
How do you balance life/work?
Well, I’m very lucky that I am prematurely middle aged, so I don’t go out
much. I used to give myself grief if I took time out during the day, but you come to the realisation that your time is totally your own, so you can plan it any way you wish (I suppose I’m lucky that I live by myself!)
I also like to take pleasure in the little things, like going for a walk or baking a cake; stuff that makes you feel happy but doesn’t cost a lot of money or take hours out of your life. I always find after an hour or two away from my desk I feel recharged and ready to get back in the swing of things. Also helps to get the ideas flowing, too. The thing about being freelance is that the stream of work isn’t usually very constant, so there are times when you are burning the midnight oil, and times when you are twiddling your thumbs. The secret to fitting it all in is just to be flexible, I suppose.
What would your dream illustrating job be?
J K Rowling phoning me up and telling me she wants me to illustrate her entire works. Awesome.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to go into illustrating work?
Promotion, promotion, promotion. Then a bit more promotion. It’s not essential to have a degree or any other formal qualification for illustration, but they do help you to focus, plan and refine your work. Research who publishes or produces the kind of work you want to do and get your work out to them. There are loads of helpful books and websites out there to give you tips. Maybe join an illustration internet forum or two, as it can be a lonely existence and it’s great to get in touch with people in the same boat who can give you feedback on your work. A website is also a must.
What are you working on at the mo?
I am doing a pair of junior novels with black and white illustrations and a set of four “early readers” in colour. Hopefully when that’s all done I can come up with some ideas of my own!
