EXTRACTS: Illustrators issue 13 © 2015 The Book Palace (96 PAGES in Full edition)

84 ABOVE: Sketches for a little mouse and 'Firedance'. 2014. ABOVE TOP: 'Lily and the Bear' ABOVE RIGHT: Friends or foes? The aptly titled, 'Glowing Eyes'. BBH: I always knew that I wanted to illustrate children’s books, especially picture books. I don’t think I had a clear idea of what my voice would be as an illustrator, but I suppose that’s something that develops naturally along the way. PR: Did you find it easy moving to creating art on the computer? BBH: I actually don’t really work on the computer. I create my illustrations using pen and ink and watercolour. Occasionally I use Photoshop to clean up a rogue drop of ink or to make slight colour adjustments if necessary, but the bulk of my work is done traditionally. PR:What are the advantages and disadvantages that you have encountered to working digitally ? BBH: The computer has definitely saved me more than once from having to completely re-do an illustration. But I love the feel of traditional media, the scratchiness of pen and ink and the way it feels to paint a big, loose watercolour wash. I could never trade that in completely for the computer. PR: Would you say it is easier to make illustration a career since you started? BBH: Really I feel like I’m still getting started. It’s only been about four years since I received my first book deal so I’m not sure that too much has changed since then. E-books and self-publishing may have changed the industry, and there may be trends in children’s books that come and go. But I don’t think the qualities that make a successful children’s book illustrator have changed, or