CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
When I develop characters for storybooks, I use photo references to help me capture their poses and expressions. I look for images of children in similar poses, then translate those natural human characteristics into my animal characters. I can often be found at my desk pulling these facial expressions myself as I endeavour to capture a look of surprise, anger or happiness as I draw!
I collect my sketches onto one sheet and reference them as I draw each spread to maintain character continuity. Are the limbs the right length? Is the head the correct size? Does the character still look the same when angry as it does when happy?
As a child, I was always more drawn to stories about animals than stories about children. That preference has carried into my adult life as an illustrator. Drawing animals has always come more naturally to me, but it is just as important to be able to draw children too. So I practise regularly until I feel just as comfortable drawing the human form. After all, many children connect with imagery that reflects themselves.
