Feature Illustrator - Andrew McIntosh

Meet Andrew McIntosh, the illustrator behind our latest title to be released in the UK, Goodnight Starry, written by D’Arcy Lewis.  

I have always drawn, and always wanted to make a career out of it. About 6 years ago I really started to get in to finish digital painting. A couple of years later I tried to get some work illustrating children’s book  
 

What was your favourite childhood book? 
Jane and the dragon.  I read this about 50 times when I was a child. 

Don't give up.  Draw something every day, even if you are not happy with it. 

My personal character designs typically come to me just before I fall asleep.  I don't go looking for them, they come to me.  My professional characters are inspired by my own work, and the work of every other artist that I admire.  There are lots of attempts before I find the balance I am happy with. 

I am not sure.  I am extremely lucky to have been raised in Australia where economically I have been given a lot of access to materials and software, and opportunity to spend time practicing. 

There are too many to list.  I have worked along side many inspiring artists, and spend a lot of time browsing art on the internet.  Whenever I see a wonderful piece of art, I feel inspired to keep practicing in hope of creating something as good. 

I typically sketch with pencil and paper.  When I have some rough designs I transfer them to the computer where I refine it in Photoshop.  After that I work on the colour layers, followed by lighting.  Lighting is important to me for making my illustrations look the way they do. 

That is a frightful idea.  I absolutely love illustrating.  If that way taken away, I would probably work with other medium like clay or wood.  Whatever it is, it would certainly be something creative. 

Hearing about children who have loved the books I have worked on, story and illustration. 

Years ago some friends and I climbed Mount Fuji through the night and watched the sunrise from the top.