An interview with Sam Wilson - an insight into the world of illustration and working for an agency

SAM WILSON

A successful illustrator, who graduated with a 1^st class BA Honours Degree from Cheltenham in Visual Art, before studying an MA in illustration in 1999, Sam also runs  Eye Candy Illustration Agency with husband Mark, set up in 2002.

I was privileged to meet her at her Cotswold home near Chipping Campden, following an article I wrote on the beautiful town for Cotswold Life. She gave me a valuable insight into the world of illustration and what an agency looks for when taking on a new illustrator.

 

 

 

Sam began her professional career with commissions for Tatler magazine and soon began illustrating regularly for many other fashion titles including Glamour, Red and Elle Girl. She also illustrated a weekly column Fashion for Life in the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine.

As well as working in publishing, creating artwork for many ‘chick lit’ and lifestyle books including jacket designs for Hannah Dennison’s Vicky Hill series and food illustrations for Annie Bell’s cook books published by Kyle Books, Sam, has done Advertorials for Cath Kidston, ink drawings for Waitrose own soups, and a series of large scale drawings for The Langham Hotel Hoardings, London.

 

(A dear colleague of mine from my days at the BBC, Mary Jane Baxter who later trained to be a milliner, commissioned Sam to do the illustrations for her book, Chic on a Shoestring, which was published two years ago. I supported Mary Jane at her book signing and have a signed copy at home, not realising I would one day meet her illustrator.)

In 2004 she was asked by leading fashion designers J&M Davidson to hold an exhibition in their London Gallery. Since then she has sold her originals and limited edition prints worldwide.

When I spoke to her she confessed her passion for printmaking and her hope to show in the Fine Art field in galleries in the Cotswolds, whilst continuing her illustration career.

So how has the illustration industry changed since she started work as an illustrator?

 “Nowadays it is so digital. I used to go and see clients. Now that is becoming rare although I do still go and see Walker Books. The children’s book industry is still old-fashioned in that respect,” admits Sam.

 She told me that there is also a notable difference between the stress levels when working on illustrations for a book project compared to that of a newspaper feature.

“Books are better because it takes a long time for a book to be made so it is more relaxed than newspapers or magazines. When I first started, the Guardian would ring me at lunchtime and need the illustration by 5pm. I only had about three hours to get it done,” recalls Sam.

 So what does she like most about being an illustrator?

 “It is a very accommodating career. You don’t have to be in an office for 9am-5pm which is brilliant for family life because you can choose the hours your work.”

 

 

Submissions

Sam’s main role at Eye Candy Illustration is to look at the submissions and decide which artist is right to have on their books. She admits she is open-minded as long as the work is really strong.

“The main thing is consistency of style. It is very important to have a recognisable talent. When we look at the work, it has to be recognised as the work of one person. In some cases a portfolio can look as if 10 different people have done it. Clients would never use it because they need to know what they are getting.”

“However sometimes if an artist has more than one style, they can publish under a different name for each of those styles.”

 What advice can she give up and coming illustrators?

“Success doesn’t happen overnight and a lot of people give up. You do get rejected and at first you really do have to want it.

And finally a bit about Eye Candy Illustration

Eye Candy Illustration was established in 2002 with an initial collection of 20 established and exciting, award-winning graduate illustrators – including Georgina Hounsome. The agency has now expanded its collection to over 50 artists and developed an enviable international reputation as one of the UK's leading illustration agencies. The range of illustrations commissioned by clients from the UK, Europe, USA and the rest of the world includes prestigious and high profile advertising campaigns, packaging, publishing, editorials, greetings cards, merchandising, and a huge variety of design projects.

http://www.eyecandy.co.uk/index.htm#