Interview with Suzanne Watts

SUZANNE WATTS

 

Hilda Must Be Dancing

Gloucestershire born and bred, Suzanne studied a foundation level art and design course at Gloscat in Cheltenham, and then went on to study Illustration at Falmouth College of Art (now University College) in Cornwall. Over the years she has worked in various areas of illustration including the greetings cards industry, producing selections of cards for The Paper House Group and Setu
Design as well as working with the Oxford University Press illustrating educational books for schools. But her main focus of work is within the Children’s Picture Book field. With the help of her agent, Eunice McMullen, Suzanne has worked on commissions for the U.K. and U.S. markets. Published work includes The Little Tiger Press, Simon and Schuster and Harper Collins.

I asked her a few questions concerning her work.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN ILLUSTRATOR?

When I was a child I spent a lot of time outdoors in the country side and I loved animals especially horses when I came home I would try to draw them. I also had a Disney annual and a Rupert the Bear book, the bright colourful images and line work really inspired me and I would sit for hours copying the pictures. This combined with a love of books and a very active imagination was the start of my interest in illustration.

WHAT MEDIUM DO YOU PREFER TO WORK IN?

I have worked in lots of different mediums over the years including oil paints, acrylic and water colour but my favourite is Alkyd. It is a fast drying oil paint which I have found to be ideal for illustration work when you have short deadlines to meet. Also the paint mixes beautifully and a fantastic intensity of colour can be achieved.

 

Hilda Must Be Dancing

WHAT TYPE OF ILLUSTRATIONS HAVE YOU DONE?

As I specialise in Children's illustration my work hasn't really been that varied. I have worked on picture books, in poetry book, book covers, educational books and greetings cards.

 

Sketchbook work, Suzanne Watts

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK (what are your intentions?)

My style is intended to be humorous and fun for young children to enjoy. I try to fill my pages so that there are other things for children to point out and enjoy talking about besides the actual storyline. For example in Hilda Must Be Dancing there is a small bug on each page waiting to be found. My work is colourful and vibrant because I love the process of mixing paint and laying colours side by side. I would hope that my work would inspire children to want to be creative.

 

 

Scenes from Hilda Must Be Dancing

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT?

I have enjoyed all of my projects but the one that really stands out for me is Hilda Must Be Dancing.

This was the first book that I was involved in with Simon and Schuster in New York and they gave me the freedom to take the artwork where I wanted it to go. The story was beautifully written and a joy to illustrate.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE WOULD-BE ILLUSTRATORS?

What tips can I offer up and coming illustrators? Well I would say keep knocking on doors and get your work seen. Absolutely don't be put off if you receive lots of negative comments from publishers or agents. If you really want to find work in this incredibly competitive industry keep pushing and eventually you will get there.  When I started out it was a case of cold calling and sending photo copies of work out to publishers. Now a days with the internet it’s so much easier. There is also a lot of help and support to be found on illustrator forums. 

 

from Bear Hugs

 To see more of Suzanne's work visit: http://suzannewattsart.tumblr.com/