Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Detailed, colourful and just a little quirky.
What items are an essential part of your creative space? Natural light, my amazing stand up/sit down desk, coffee and music.
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
For years I worked primarily in oil and gouache, but since discovering polychromos pencils, I am addicted. I love combining mediums and often my work will be a mixture of pencil, gouache and coloured inks.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Normal Rockwell, Graeme Base, Frida Kahlo.
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
The Impressionists. Light and movement have always been a drawcard for me in many forms of art.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
As a young artist and designer, I was smitten by the work of Norman Rockwell and his ability to capture people in their natural day to day. This inspires me to create intimate worlds in my artwork.
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often?
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
I love choosing the medium and finding just the right paper or surface to work on; laying out the concept and shooting/finding my reference material. But I am most excited when I can see my idea taking shape and I am getting ready to add highlights and details.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Believe in yourself, no matter what. There are no mistakes, we are always learning. Experiment and develop your own unique style and do what really makes your heart sing.
With a desire to capture texture, light and detail at a young age, Lesley’s work focused on landscape oils and portraiture. Working as a designer has provided her with the opportunity to use a wide variety of mediums including coloured pencil which has reignited her love texture, light in a realistic style. See more of Lesley's beautiful work at www.facebook.com/lonewolfmuse.
