Meet The Illustrator: Dalia Awad

Name: Dalia Awad

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
It’s colourful, whimsical, funny and I like to draw emotional illustrations.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
My Wacom Cintiq is essential at my home studio, and my iPad for mobility as it gives me the ability to work anywhere.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
If you asked me this question 4 years ago I would have said it was gouache and watercolour because they have been my favourite mediums for years but now I prefer to draw digitally-free hand using Wacom tablet and my favourite program is clip studio paint.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
There are many great artists I admire their work but for children’s book illustrators I can choose Richard Scarry, Dan Santat and Benji Davies.

 
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I’d like to go back to the early 18th century when the Rococo painting originated, I always get mesmerized by the beauty of rococo art it’s so colourful and dynamic.

    
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
I can’t remember who inspired my to be an illustrator but I do remember that it was my dream since I was a little kid, I used to draw characters from the children’s books I was reading and I found myself doing the same after I grew up. However I can’t deny that animation movies have a great impact on me and they give me huge motivation for drawing.

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
I set up my studio to be simple and cosy and it gives a feel of warmth, it’s comfortable place to work in. And I made it accessible for my cats to get in, they are good companions in long lonely workdays.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?

Every single part has it’s own magic, I like the whole process of making art from gathering references to adding the final touches.

 
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Be consistent and make art every single day even if it will be only rough sketches, don’t sell yourself short and don’t underestimate your ability of success.

 

Dalia is a children’s book illustrator from Egypt, she is a self-taught artist who believes that the learning process never ends. She has a degree in a media and communication but her passion for art led her to seek a career in illustration.

When she is not working she goes for hiking, swimming or just playing with her cats.

For more information, please visit Dalia's website or follow her on instagram.