Shane McGowan
Children's Illustrator
Who or what made you want to become an illustrator?
I was obsessed with Charlie Brown when I was a kid. Originally I wanted to become a cartoonist. I'd get my Mum to buy all the paperback editions of Peanuts and I'd pore over them for hours. I also devoured Mad magazine. But the first picture book that really touched me was Where The Wild Things Are. Those beasts fascinated me as a child, and the hatched drawings were so beautiful and full of life. To this day that book is still hard to beat.
Was creativity part of your childhood?
Not at all. My parents were not creative in the slightest but they recognised that I loved to draw at a very young age and they facilitated that. They were always buying me sketchbooks and pencils and crayons and encouraging me.
Describe your working technique and how you came to perfect it.
At the beginning of my career I was juggling multiple editorial commissions. At the time I needed a style that was quick and printed well on both newsprint and high quality paper. Gouache, scraperboard and ink were my preferred mediums. I eased into picture books around the time I started working digitally so I had more time to experiment. I now work on a cintiq and usually use photoshop.
Do you keep a sketch book?
Yes I have had many sketch books over the years. I also attend life drawing most Monday evenings which is drawing from life which I love and is very different to my picture book work. My studio has a computer room and another sun lit room which I use for my fine art so I'm always sketching and drawing.
Talk us through the process of creating one of your latest illustrations or books.
I get a sent a manuscript and immediately start on character sketches in pencil. When the editorial team green lights my suggestions I sketch up some basic spreads and then more complex spreads until finally when everyone is happy I illustrate the finals digitally. Some publishers have a more hands on approach while others let me get on with things. Either is good with me. Every client is different and I think I'm pretty flexible. Collaboration is the key to success.
What advice would you offer someone just starting out as a children’s illustrator?
Be humble but think big. Always draw. Be passionate about whatever your work. And draw what you want, not what you think the industry wants.
