Hello there! Welcome to my first EVER newsletter!
Thanks to everyone who has subscribed so far, I really appreciate it :)
I’ve sat down to write this newsletter several times now, but my brain has always been too frazzled. The past two years have easily been the busiest of my career, which has been wonderful, but very, very tiring! I’ve just submitted the final artwork for a project I’ve been working on since before Christmas, and my goodness, it’s been a mammoth task (over 300 pages, 99 illustrations, and a buttload of chickens), so I thought now would be the perfect time to grab a cup of coffee and take a breather to update you all on what I’ve been up to, before diving head first into the next handful of projects.
What’s this all about, then?
Well, I currently split my time between children’s illustration, and my role as a designer for a small indie press, but the aim of this newsletter is to share insights into what I’m currently working on as an illustrator. I plan to share sneak peeks at projects I’m working on, personal doodles, samples, character designs, etc. If there’s anything you’d particularly like to see, please feel free to leave a comment and I’ll see what I can do! I’m aiming to post once a month, but possibly more frequently if the mood takes me! I’m trying to not be too rigid with it, and let it be what it’ll be.
What I’ve been working on…
As I mentioned above, I’ve just finished illustrating the first in a series by J.B. Gill. THEE J.B. Gill, from JLS (-swoon-). It’s my first time working with Puffin, and it’s been a lot of fun. The first book publishes in April this year, so not long! I reckon I could draw a chicken blind-folded after several glasses of gin at this point.
Here’s a peek at a couple of the internal artworks:
During that time, I also worked on a small project with Hodder, about a spy and her younger brother. These are the samples I did before being commissioned to do the book. The dog ended up changing slightly, but the client was happy with the other characters so it was pretty straightforward!
I also finished illustrating Libby and the Highland Heist back in November (by the wonderful Jo Clarke). This series is a bit unusual for me as I’m also the designer, which means I typeset the text and layout the illustrations and any other design elements throughout. It’s a lot of fun working on the look of the book, inside and out, and only a tiny bit intimidating. This is the second in the series, and published in January. One of my tasks this week is to mock-up the cover for book 3, but I better not spill too many details just yet!
Whilst working on Libby 2, I finished off another Famous Five book, which came directly after illustrating a different story in the collection. I don’t quite know how I’ve pulled all of this off to be perfectly honest. We also moved house during that time. Madness. These are always a real joy to work on though, the stories are so timeless. I -think- I might be working on another couple this year, although they haven’t been confirmed yet.
Back in July I sampled for a new series, but sadly didn’t get it. I then got an email from my agent a couple of weeks ago to say that the illustrator who was commissioned had to drop out of the project, and was asked if I’d like to go in for it again. I did, and I was offered the contract. It’s odd when things like this happen. I never expected it to come back around, but I’m so glad it did! I’m about to start working on the roughs for book one once I’ve published this, so wish me luck!
Here are some of my original samples:
I better not share anything else in case I get in trouble! I’ve amended the characters a bit since these, so I’ll be sure to share those when I can! I’ve grown quite fond of this guy already. And his furry behind.
I sampled for another series in October that I didn’t get. I was quite disappointed as the story was so much fun, but I know that whoever did secure it is going to do an amazing job, and I’ll be picking up a copy of the book when it’s out!
I was really chuffed with these samples, and even though they weren’t picked, they’re still going into my portfolio, so they certainly aren’t wasted! I try not to be too precious about anything I sample for because you just never know which way things will go. One thing I’ve learned since working directly for a publisher is that SO many people need to sign off on something, and everyone has their own thoughts and opinions. You can’t please everyone, and sometimes things just don’t work out. You have to learn to be okay with it and move on to the next opportunity.
What else? I’m currently working on the final art for the ninth Wigglesbottom Primary book. NINTH. Can’t believe it. I met with the publisher back in 2014, and have been working on them ever since. This is the last one I’ve been contracted to though, so who knows if there will be more. Nothing much to share on this yet, but I’ll be sure to post a peek or two next month!
What’s next?
My partner Jordan and I are heading to Knaresborough at the end of the month for my birthday, which I’m realllllly looking forward to. I haven’t been away in such a long time, and to be totally honest, we both desperately need a break. I first happened upon Knaresborough back in 2015 when I was fed up and feeling a bit restless. I basically googled ‘HELP, I NEED A HOLIDAY, BUT I DON’T WANT TO GO TOO FAR’ and a little cottage in Yorkshire popped up that looked perfect. It was my first time going on holiday on my own, and it was magical. It’ll be nice to share it with someone else though. If you haven’t been, I totally recommend it, it’s beautiful.
When we first booked it, my plan was to go and completely switch off from everything for a couple of days, but I already know I won’t be able to resist taking my iPad with me. That’s what you get when your hobby becomes your job, I guess! We’re both creative people who struggle to switch off, but at least there will be cafes, lazy mornings, and the absence of cats shouting their demands about the place!
Aside from that, I’m going to try to post a bit more frequently on Instagram. I came off Twitter back in Oct because it just wasn’t bringing me any joy anymore. I’ve always struggled with social media, I find it to be such a distraction, but it’s also a really great place to connect with other creators, so I do want to maintain some kind of presence. I’m hoping that this newsletter will help with that a bit, and hold me somewhat accountable.
On that note, let’s wrap this up! Thank you SO much for reading, it really does mean a lot. I hope you get something from my newsletter, and if you have any thoughts, leave me a comment below.
Speak soon,
Becka
Introduction / Feb catch-up
Lovely to read a bit about your process - you are amazingly productive!!
Fascinating how the characters come to life ! Beautifully illistratrated ,amazing talent.