Paloma O'Toole
Children's Illustrator
How and why did you decide to pursue illustration as your career?
It all started when I was studying Fine Arts and I was trying to become a Painter. All my teachers commented on how my paintings looked like illustrations. I think that I was always an illustrator pretending to be a painter. In the end I embraced my true vocation.
Where do you currently live and where did you grow up?
I currently live in Newport Pagnell, a small town near London, UK. It is surrounded by emerald forests and jade green open fields which I love. But I grew up in Andalusia in the south of Spain. I was born in Cadiz, a city where the sea is in competition with the sky to see which one can the the bluest one.
Who or what have been some of your major artistic influences?
My influences are wide and eclectic: Japanese textiles, French patisseries, science books, botanical art, vintage toys, out-of-the-way dusty museums, thrift stores, flea markets, old movies… I am lucky to find inspiration everywhere!
Which books from your own childhood really stand out?
The Grimm Brothers’ stories and Andersen’s fairy tales were my favourite books. I also had a couple of non fiction books that I was obsessed with, one was about Fashion History and the other was an animal encyclopaedia.
Do you have a favourite picture book or recall one of the first picture books you saw?
I think that as an adult I can appreciate picture books even more than when I was a kid. I love anything Christian Robinson does, but ‘Last stop in Market Street’ and “Gaston’ are a big favourites of mine. Carson Ellis also has a huge place in my heart, I love her illustration style.
Who or what has been your greatest mentor?
My agents at Lilla Rogers’ Studio: Lilla, Susan and Kim. They have helped me so much to take the step to become an author/ illustrator. Last year I wrote and illustrated the dummy of my first picture book. I think I could not have done it without their support and encouragement, they are rock star agents.
What is your favourite medium to work with and why?
I prefer working digitally on my iPad-pro using procreate. I love the flexibility and huge range of possibilities that this medium puts at my fingers tips. The downside is that I can get so caught up the the work flow that I can easily forget to leave my studio for hours and hours and hours…
Do you keep a sketch book?
Yes, of course! I trained as an artist in the 1990s, so I love working ‘analog’. My sketch books are half journal, half scrapbook and half diaries.
What do you hope children take away from your drawings?
I want kids to get excited about the worlds I create, I love hiding little subplots and tiny characters.I would love kids and parents to wonder what is behind a wall or around the corner. I want my illustrations to bring the texts alive and to given them that extra sprinkle of magic.
What do you do in your spare time?
Drawing is my favourite thing to do in the whole wide world, but I also enjoy practising yoga, knitting and crochet with my cats by the fireplace as well as many other crafts such as: embroidery, quilting, making ceramics, sewing… I love writing and I keep several journals: Junk Journal, Bullet Journal, Morning pages… And I love reading, my favourite authors are Kazuo Ishiguro and Margaret Atwood.
Take us behind the scenes and describe your studio / workspace.
I am very lucky to have my dream room. My studio gets the sun all day long and it is a perfect place for drawing and writing. I have lots of storage space as well as plenty of wall space to be able to display images that inspire me.
Who is your favourite children’s book character and why?
Hands down, Alice from ‘Alice in Wonderland’. I love the strangeness of Wonderland’s inhabitants and Alice’s inquisitive mind and energy. I am found of characters who are adventurous, a bit rebellious and daring in a kind and gentle way.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I can read Tarot since my teenage years. I used to swap donuts for tarot readings at school during break.
Animals feature heavily in children’s books – do you have a pet?
I have two black cats: Dave and Splatty. Although Splatty thinks she is a dog and follows me everywhere. I even have made her a little sofa in my studio so she can stalk me in comfort.
