Describe your illustration style in ten words or less:
Digital three-dimensional painting, with a focus on narrative in nature.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Sketchbook and pencils for early drawings and storyboarding, laptop and pen display for illustration, a solid block of time.
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I definitely prefer working digitally. I experiment a lot on the 'page' and would go through too much paper if I tried to do the same thing in pencil or using some other physical medium. I also love the freedom and flexibility of instantly changing what I am doing and how I am doing it.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
I am mostly inspired by other children’s illustrators for my work. I like to examine it closely, think about how it was created and what effect they achieved with the choices they made. I also observe the style or composition and why I like it.
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
Not exactly an artistic period but, if I could go back in time, I would love to visit Beatrix Potter at Hill Top Farm. We could sit and drink tea and draw creatures together. She also had a scientific background and a focus on imagining adventures for animals, so I think we could get along famously.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
A constellation of factors brought me to illustration about three years ago. When I began, I was very much just trying to see what I could do. I had a background in colour pencil drawing but had never worked digitally nor illustrated anything. Talking to other digital illustrators about their process and set-up gave me the confidence to give it a go.
Behind it all was the motivation to illustrate my debut middle grade novel, Liam the Chid and the Kangaroo Warriors. Early discussions with publishers made me realise that spot illustrations would work well for the story, and I wanted to be the one who did them.
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often?
I am a bit of a nomad when it comes to my workspace. I don’t use my desk for illustration or writing that often. I am all over the house. I work best when I have long stretches of time, especially holidays, but I do steal time during the night if I have to. So, it might be in bed or on the kitchen table or veranda.
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often?
I am a bit of a nomad when it comes to my workspace. I don’t use my desk for illustration or writing that often. I am all over the house. I work best when I have long stretches of time, especially holidays, but I do steal time during the night if I have to. So, it might be in bed or on the kitchen table or veranda.
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
My favourite part is when the illustration starts to come together. When it comes to illustration, I am a bit of a 'pantser' – even more so than in my writing – flying by the seat of my pants. I’ll have a rough idea of what I am going to do but there is often quite a bit of change before my illustrations take the shape that I want. And when I do start to find that shape, I feel like I'm on the home stretch and can really get to work.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
You never know what you are capable of until you try, and don’t be afraid to destroy what you’re doing to make it better. The first point is just about sticking with it, really. The second point is about being able to work past that stage in an illustration where it starts to look good and take risks, rather than being too precious about the parts that are working. Don’t be afraid to 'kill your darlings' as they say in writing (even if you later on revive them!).
My favourite part is when the illustration starts to come together. When it comes to illustration, I am a bit of a 'pantser' – even more so than in my writing – flying by the seat of my pants. I’ll have a rough idea of what I am going to do but there is often quite a bit of change before my illustrations take the shape that I want. And when I do start to find that shape, I feel like I'm on the home stretch and can really get to work.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
You never know what you are capable of until you try, and don’t be afraid to destroy what you’re doing to make it better. The first point is just about sticking with it, really. The second point is about being able to work past that stage in an illustration where it starts to look good and take risks, rather than being too precious about the parts that are working. Don’t be afraid to 'kill your darlings' as they say in writing (even if you later on revive them!).
Bio
Meredith Downes is a children’s author and illustrator from Brisbane. She loves to draw and write adventures about the quirky animal characters of the Australian bush. Meredith recently released her debut novel for kids, Liam the Chid and the Kangaroo Warriors (Bugalugs Books), and is currently illustrating the sequel for a 2027 release.
Meredith Downes is a children’s author and illustrator from Brisbane. She loves to draw and write adventures about the quirky animal characters of the Australian bush. Meredith recently released her debut novel for kids, Liam the Chid and the Kangaroo Warriors (Bugalugs Books), and is currently illustrating the sequel for a 2027 release.
