I’m a children’s book author and illustrator based in Melbourne Australia, and I spend a lot of my time drawing in front of an audience. I draw in notebooks, on digital screens, on easels and on huge bits of cartridge paper stuck to the walls and windows.
When I’m not drawing in front of people, I write and illustrate books in my studio in Melbourne.
Scroll down to see some sketches from my terrible sketchbooks!
I also use a digital pencil with a Wacom tablet to do some of my illustration, and I usually use Photoshop to put my final illustrations together. Sometimes, I use ProCreate on my iPad to draw with too - this is great as I can take my iPad out and about with me.
So far I’ve illustrated thirty three books - and written eight of these. Some of these books aren’t in the shops yet, but they will be soon.
SKETCHBOOKS
You know those illustrators who collect A5 Moleskine skechbooks? And fill them with exquisite artwork in pencil, gouache and fineliner? The ones you might see on Instagram?
Well, that’s not me.
My sketchbooks are … variable. Ok, let’s be honest, they’re a mess.
I usually have between three and eight sketch/notebooks on the go and none of them match. And sometimes they get so messy or out-of-date (usually because they’ve been left in the bottom of the wrong bag for several weeks) that I give up on them and use them for ‘To-do’ lists, or to record Scrabble scores.
But I think it’s important to see how everyone works, so here are a few pages. And possibly a few Scrabble scores.
I am quite good at Scrabble.
Some fish I drew – based on their names and not on actual research.
Octopus facts! I find octopuses very interesting. Also, did you know you can say 'octopi', 'octopuses' or 'octopodes' for more than one octopus? It's all fine and I like that.
I sometimes draw out the plot for the books I write as graphs – in my sketchbook. I know what this means. I'm not sure if anyone else would.
Scrabble score! (I won this one)
This is a cartoon of a dog at a birthday party. I might use it for something one day.
Not sure who or what this is.
Sometimes I get title ideas for books, so I sketch the cover out. Then I find the sketches years later. Then I might write a story to go with the title. 'Mushropolis' could be fun, perhaps?
This is from my 'monster phase' (2016-2018)
A sad little cartoon with no punchline yet.
From a book idea that hasn't come together yet.
I drew this in 2020, after we all had to wear masks everywhere. This is how I imagined everyone looked under their masks.
There are no other words for this...
Cat running away (before I could draw it)
I don't know who Cedric is yet, but he needs his own story.
Sometimes I just draw out familiar situations (ie. from my own life). Although I am not actually the parent of a crocodile, of course.
Some bugs - I like the expression on the centipede-type bug.
A really cool hoverboard
A few years ago, my son used my fancy Moleskine to write out all the different types of superpowers. I still find this extensive list quite useful.
This is an early storyboard for 'Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas'. Again, I know what it means.
Occasionally, I work in colour. It is not usually very successful as I can't wait for the paper to dry before adding more paint/pencil.
Some windows and thoughts on windows.
A common case of mistaken identity.
I find all puns amoosing.
AWARDS
ME
** FIVE MILE PRESS Inaugral Illustrator award – Winner 2014 **
MY BOOKS
Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas
Picture book children's: Illustrator
2022 Young Australians Best Book Awards (YABBA) — Shortlisted
2021 Young Australians Best Book Awards (YABBA) — Shortlisted
Dogasuarus
Picture book children's: Illustrator
2019 Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards — Notable Book
The Cat Wants Cuddles 2017 by P Crumble
Picture book children's: Illustrator
2018 Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards — Notable Book — Early Childhood
The Cat Wants Custard 2016 by P Crumble
Picture book children's: Illustrator
2017 Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards — Notable Book
2017 Shortlisted West Australian Young Readers' Book Award — Picture Books
Space Alien at Planet Dad 2016
Picture book children's: Writer & illustrator
2017 recommended Australian Family Therapists' Award for Children's Literature — Picture Book and Younger Readers
The Fourteenth Summer of Angus Jack by Jen Storer
Middle grade novel: Illustrator
2016 Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards — Notable Book
FAQs
I have a great idea for a picture book – could you illustrate it?
Probably not. Publishers prefer to pair authors up with illustrators themselves, once they’ve fallen in love with and commissioned your completed story. And, currently, I’m not accepting commissions to illustrate self-published books, because I have plenty of work on already.
I’m an aspiring illustrator – can you give me any tips?
Yes – at least, I can pass on bits and bobs learned so far… get in touch via the contact form (in CONTACT) and I’ll try to get back to you soon as reasonably possible. If you’re after a formal folio assessment, however, I charge an hourly rate for this.
I want to write and illustrate a children’s book too! How do I do this? How do I get it published? Can we meet and chat? I’ll buy you a coffee!
I’m currently too busy for a coffee date! And I have a machine at home which makes tolerable coffee. Also, I’m a creator, not a publisher. I can’t help you get your book published. However, there are some useful answers to Frequently Asked Questions on this topic on the SCBWI site here.
For industry news and courses etc. you can sign up for Pass It On newsletter here.
And often other authors and illustrators have taken the time to answer questions more fully than I have above. THANK you to them! Here are some great answers to the above on James Foley’s site here. Mem Fox has some down-to-earth advice here. And there’s some basic advice on the CBCA website here. However, a simple Google search will unearth many, many wonderful and free articles giving advice.
I have a blog. Can you send me one of your books to review?
I only get a few copies of each book from the publisher, and these are for family and friends. But if you’re an established reviewer, do please contact the publisher of the book you’d like to review and they may send you a copy in exchange for an honest review. The other option, if you’re in an urban area of Australia, is to order the book from your public library (or, even better – buy it). I hope you like the book – whichever one you choose!
