It’s time for our next Featured Student! For March we are featuring:
Erin McClean
Website: erinmcclean.com
Instagram: @eriberart
Twitter: eriberart
SVS Forum: @ERIBERART
Art by Erin McClean
Below is an awesome Q&A that Kathryn Adebayo (@KATHRYNADEBAYO) conducted with Erin McClean:
From writing and illustrating handmade books as a kid, to building full dummy books and creating a portfolio of sweetly stylized characters and their adventures, illustrator Erin McClean has never put aside her goal of creating enjoyable children’s literature. Here are a few of her insights into becoming, and being, a visual storyteller.
Hi! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello! My name is Erin and I'm an illustrator from Northern Ireland. I studied Illustration at Falmouth University in Cornwall, England, but after graduating in 2017 I moved back to Northern Ireland where I live with my partner and our two cats (Dot and Maggie - except when they are naughty we call them Dorothy and Margaret!)
What are your top three reasons for pursuing art?
To be honest, I never really considered anything else! I'm lucky enough that I have a very supportive family who encouraged me to study Illustration at University. I knew from a very young age I wanted to be a children's book illustrator and I've been set on that path ever since. If I had to choose three reasons:
I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. I currently work a 'day job' as a full time finance officer in a school. I've been there almost two years and while I don't dislike my day job, the longer I'm there the more motivated I am to become a freelance illustrator.
The kidlit community, from what I have seen, is such a lovely space. I've made so many friends through kidlit communities on Instagram, Twitter (and of course SVS!) and everyone is always so supportive of each other.
It's challenging and I love that! Every day being an illustrator is different. Some days are filled with sketching and thumb-nailing, others are a bit more boring and involve lots of admin. It's a very hard career to pursue and I think you really have to love illustration to stick it out. But I do love the challenge.
For how long, would you say, have you been an artist, and who has inspired you most along the way?
I think I've been an artist since I've been able to hold a pencil. I bet everyone says that though! I have copies of stories I wrote and illustrated as a child (though they obviously aren't very good!) I think I began taking art seriously and consciously trying to improve my skills when I was about 14. Big influences on my work and some of my favourite illustrators are Shirley Hughes, Briony May Smith, Becky Cameron, Oliver Jeffers, Helen Stephens and many more. I also love Studio Ghibli films.
Could we see some of your personal favorite pieces to date?
Below are a few of my favourite images. :)
Art by Erin McClean
Art by Erin McClean
Costume Party: The illustration which I have labelled 'Costume Party' - this was one of those pieces which changed things for me. I was in the transition from traditional to digital work when I created that piece and something definitely clicked for my way of working. Every once in a while, you just create an illustration and things somehow become clearer for you and your work becomes better. This was one of those pieces for me.
Art by Erin McClean
Peter Pan Book Cover
Art by Erin McClean
Maggies Monster
Art by Erin McClean
Art by Erin McClean
Pheobe and Clementine: The spreads from 'Pheobe and Clementine' and 'Maggie's Monster' are from my two self-authored dummy books.
On your website, you describe two awesome looking picture book dummies you’ve made. What is your process of making book dummies, and how has making them helped you, either professionally or personally?
Thank you! I always start with a rough idea in my head. Then I use spider diagrams to map out a story and then I write a rough draft of the words. I split the words into 12 pages and then I begin thumb-nailing and sketching. After I have a rough idea of what goes on each page, I make little, tiny dummy books out of paper so that I can see how the pace and flow of the story coupled with the illustrations is. I do this process over and over about a hundred times until I get the compositions and the pace and flow just right! Alongside this I am also getting to know my characters and designing them. Once this is all done I do roughs, and 3-4 spreads of full coloured artwork.
This process has taught me that it's okay to take my time with my stories and make changes and revisions. I am sometimes a little impatient with things and rush to complete things in one sitting. By revisiting my dummy books over and over, I am able to find some solutions which I never would have found if I had have rushed through the thumb-nailing and illustrations!
What is your dream as an illustrator? What do you hope comes of your art when you put it out into the world?
My dream is to be a successful children's book illustrator and create books which are enjoyed by both children and the adults reading them to them! I hope when people look at my art that it brings them a little moment of happiness.
What would you tell yourself five years ago in regards to your art career? Would you give yourself advice? Encouragement? Tips?
Five years ago I was nearing the end of my first year at University. I would tell myself not to stress and worry too much. I enjoyed my time at university but I definitely felt a pressure to be successful while I was 'still young'. Even now I sometimes look at successful illustrators who are younger than me and feel dejected. I have to remind myself that I don't need to be a best selling illustrator right out of university! Not many people are! You can become a freelance illustrator at any age and I am still very young. I have lots of time ahead of me.
Also to be more confident - But I still need to tell myself that now. Maybe I should take my own advice. :D
Thank you so much, Erin, for sharing your work and your thoughts with everyone. It’s a pleasure to get to know you!
If you would be interested in sharing your work for a chance to be featured for March head over to the SVS Learn Forum and post your best work by March 31st.