Fun, playful, whimsical, magical, colourful, imaginative, sweet, funny.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Watercolour paints, brushes (a range of sizes but especially sizes 4, 8 and my teeny-tiny Winsor & Newton brush), mechanical pencil, eraser, fineliners (size 0.1 - grey, black and brown), Prismacolour pencils, good quality watercolour paper, photographs and children's books for inspiration - oh and most definitely, chai tea!
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Watercolour. I love how versatile and surprising it is. I enjoy adding salt, extra splashes of colour and water and using the wet-on-wet technique. I gasp and giggle as the paint works it's own magic, it's wonderful fun!
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Freya Blackwood, Anna Walker and Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
The Romantic era, because it was all about emotions, imagination, spirituality and mystery, which I try to incorporate in my art. I also love that it involved looser brush work and less precise strokes.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
Children's books as a young girl. I was obsessed with Enid Blyton and decided at the age of seven that I was going to write and illustrate my own books. Also, my incredibly supportive husband, family and grandmother have continued to encourage me throughout the journey.
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?
Adding colour! Feeling both excited and nervous as each new colour or effect appears on the paper!
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Make time every single day to create. It might be as simple as sketching lines or shapes while sitting on the couch, or jotting down ideas in a notebook. I have young children and am a school teacher, but I dedicate any free time to my art (usually early in the morning and late at night!).
Kym writes children's picture book stories and has completed a diploma in Illustrating Children's Books. She is the author of the picture book Teddy Town, published by The Book Company.
She has self published two children's books The Enchanted Walking Stick and It's a Dog's Life. Kym has been a prize winner in several story competitions and recently received a council grant towards her art development. She teaches visual arts and literacy intervention at primary school.
You can find more of Kym's art work on Facebook - www.facebook.com/kymlangfield
