Q&A with Jane Foster
Jane Foster has recently published a series of board books for different ages and stages of babies. We recently asked a few questions about this new series and her ways of working!
Do you find there to be a difference when illustrating books for different ages and stages of reader?
Yes, I do try to consider the age and stage of the reader. For example, if I’m illustrating a book for a baby, my illustrations will be much bolder and simpler in stye than if I was illustrating for a three year old. With my recent baby book series ‘Jane Foster’s Baby’s First Stories’ , the first book 0-3 months has been illustrated just using black and white. As the baby grows with each new book, one new bold colour is added. When illustrating for a baby, my style will be bold and the subject matters will have to be very carefully thought about so they’re age dependent. Characters for my baby books need to be cute, happy and friendly – not spiky and scary! Pandas, cats, dogs, rabbits are all popular! Illustrations might include a cute panda sleeping or having cuddles with its mummy.
I try to add more detailed patterns and finer lines when illustrating for older children and will also use a wider colour palette too. I try to think what children will enjoy seeing in a book so for example, one of the books I’m illustrating at the moment has a child drinking strawberry milkshake, and another spread features wobbly jelly. I think about what my daughter loved at different ages which also helps. What is your medium of choice when illustrating?
I always start every illustration in the same way – fine black pen on paper. It’s only for the colouring in stage I work digitally – my paper drawings are scanned into the computer at a high resolution before I add colour to them. This is the only way I know how to work on illustrating a book as I’ve never taught myself to work with a graphic tablet or with iPad pro. I also like the feel of the pen on the paper. I occasionally use my light box which helps if I need to amend anything.
I always illustrate on a much larger piece of paper than the actual book so when the illustrations are reduced to book size, they look really sharp and neat. I mostly draw on A3 size.
Did you do any research into the reasoning behind using the black and white palette with babies?
No but I’ve always known that a baby will first only see things in black and white. I really enjoy working in black and white and enjoy the challenge.
Did you have a favourite animal to illustrate in this series?
I really love the Panda – I love the way he’s rounded in shape and cuddly. I also loved drawing him brushing his teeth, sleeping with his teddy and wearing a wooly jumper!
The small details added to some of the animals is beautifully done- what was your process for this?
I always enjoy adding my own little touches – I’ve always loved creating hand drawn patterns to add to my characters, for example, the squiggly pattern on the Panda’s jumper or the Scandi type flower patterns on the elephant. The patterns are sometimes drawn separately and are later added behind the animals digitally.
Jane Foster’s Baby’s First Stories are written by Lily Murray, illustrated by Jane Foster and are published by Bonnier Books.
Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Federation.