Name: Patrick Shirvington Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
An amalgam of traditional techniques, coupled with new possibilities.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Being surrounded by pencils, paper, paint and ink in my bushland studio, with nature's sounds emanating all around.
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I use all the mediums I can get my hands on, however, I have to say watercolours are hard to beat.
Van Gogh, Arthur Boyd, Charles Blackman.
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
Late 1800s – 1920. The nexus between impressionism and expressionism through to abstraction, is a wonderful launching pad for any art today.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
My nan and a science teacher in high school, whom, knowing I wasn’t to be a nuclear physicist, asked if I could do some illustrations for the school annual… which I still have.
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
My studio is situated quite a distance from my house, in a peaceful bush setting. I have recently added approx 20 square metres to the original size. As you can see in this first picture… it is 'clean', unlike the area behind the door...
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
No favourite part… all one big adventure.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Like anything in life, just do it and enjoy being who you are.
Patrick Shirvington started his journey as an artist in 1975, attending the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere, Paris, and later receiving a UNSW MCDArtDes. Patrick has received many awards for his work including a CBCA Notable book. He has also been nominated for a Crichton Award and shortlisted for an Australian Wilderness Society award for children’s literature.