The Children’s Book Review | August 12, 2016
Inside Gareth Lucas’s Studio
I would love to be able to say that I have an expansive studio overlooking the vast countryside, and that I work amongst the peaceful tranquility of nature…..but the reality is my ‘studio’ is a corner of our bedroom in a converted loft in our end of terrace house in suburban Essex….and the neighbours dogs and local parakeets are very loud!
Before we had children, my wife (also an illustrator) and I shared a studio space in one of the rooms in our house which was great. However, we now have five lovely children and so their bedrooms have trumped our studio! We do have plans to extend … so maybe one day I’ll get a proper studio again …
Gareth Lucas’s Creative Process
I love the freedom that being freelance brings. I am free to work wherever and whenever as long as I get the job done! However, a typical day will involve sitting at my desk working on the latest project. We also home educate our children, so I have many little visitors during the day. The kids will pop up to show me something or critique my work and offer suggestions. They sometimes bring a cup of tea too! My six month old shares my studio for the time being. She takes regular naps so, at this point in time, I’m often working very quietly and in the dark!
Even though I now work digitally, having worked with acrylic paints for a long time, my creative process still involves some traditional procedures i.e. making lots of coffee and sketching. I will sketch very rough compositions and ideas in my sketch book. Sometimes I will work them up on Photoshop using a tablet.
Once these are approved I then take these sketches into Illustrator and map out the vector artwork. When I am happy with overall design I then take it back into Photoshop to add some texture and tone. Breaks are important and, if I’m not changing a nappy, I will pick up a guitar, banjo or mandolin and give it a strum!
About Gareth Lucas
Gareth Lucas studied illustration at Brighton and has been published internationally, often collaborating with his wife, who is also an illustrator. His creative talents are not limited to illustration: Gareth teaches graphic design and guitar and, when he has a moment to spare, you can find him in the park with his kids.
Written by Becky Davies
Illustrated by Gareth Lucas
Publisher’s Synopsis: In Peekaboo Pals: A to Z, children will lift the flaps and be amused by the silly antics of the animals while learning their ABC’s. From an alligator admiring some art to a zebra catching some z’s, each letter of the alphabet is presented in an accessible way so that kids ages 3 and up will not only learn but also laugh as they turn the pages.
Ages 2-4 | Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1626865204
Available Here:
Discover more books like “Peekaboo Pals: A to Z,” written by Becky Davies and illustrated by Gareth Lucas, on The Children’s Book Review by following along with our articles tagged with Amy Young, Books About Pets, and Unicorns. And be sure to check out more authors and illustrators featured in our Inside the Studio column.