Children's Book Week - Meet Illustrator Peter Willis
WILLIS USES DIGITAL COLLAGE
When Illustrator Peter Willis created this image (page 32 of THE NANTUCKET SEA MONSTER) he used individual digital files, creating a digital collage. Can you guess how many individual files went into making this image? (See the answer below.)
British artist Peter Willis is one of Mims House’s most exciting illustrators, with an impressive record of awards. We decided to feature his work this week during Children’s Book Week 2022 (CBW 2022) Are you doing a study of an illustrator? Choose Peter! Why? Because he’s a fantastic storyteller with his art.
To help celebrate CBW 2022, Peter created a drawing project that you can download here: Peter Willis Drawing Project
Willis’s Work – Recognized for Excellence!
The Moments in Science seven-book series has been recognized for excellence with:
- 2 Starred Kirkus reviews
- 2 Junior Library Guild selections
- 2 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books
- NSSTA Outstanding Social Studies Book
- NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts
Come back tomorrow to find out Peter’s favorite book that he has illustrated.
ASK PETER WILLIS
Q: You work in a digital collage. Can you talk about your process?
I have worked as a graphic designer for over 30 years, so I use the same principles as that really. I do my research (I usually make a scrapbook of the subject) then I do rough pencil sketches. The next step would be final visuals and then on to the illustration work. I usually put all the work together on the computer in InDesign. Being a designer, I find it handy that I can do the book design myself.
Q: Sometimes, your images include paper that has been painted. Why do you choose this technique?
I really like the texture the paper brings. In this age where almost everything has been computer generated, I think this hand-crafted look really stands out.
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DIGITAL COLLAGE ANSWER: The image above was created from 34 individual files.
RESOURCES - READ MORE ABOUT PETER WILLIS
- From the Sketchbook: Peter Willis, The Children’s Book Council, May 14, 2019
- 2021 How Do You Draw activity – Napoleon. Download the Drawing Activity Printable here.
- 2022 How Do You Draw activity – pirate. Download the Drawing Activity Printable here.
- See Peter Willis’s art in the Moments in Science Series
