Hello, hope you’re well.
It’s interview number THIRTEEN of ‘With What Do I dOOdle?’ and, I’m thrilled that he said yes, this week it’s multi award winning illustrator Justin Worsley.
I love using all sorts of things to draw with and I’m always up for a favourite tools chat, SO I’ve been asking some fellow creatives what they like to use.
I first spotted Justin’s work when he won the Batsford Prize for Children’s Illustration in 2022, and was instantly hooked. His colour and painterly style is just so fresh and energetic, his illustrations are distinctive and instantly recognisable.
I mean, just look at this:
Gail-force, Justin Worsley
I’m on the waiting list for both of Justin’s forthcoming books One Fine Day and Henry the Artistic Dog both publishing with Andersen Press 2025. And smile every time one of his illustrations pop up on ‘the grid’.
Here’s a bit of bio for a bit more info:
Hello, I’m Justin, my love of drawing, making stuff and never wanting to fully grow up led me to a career in toy design. Then in 2020 I decided it was time to follow a different branch of that path and study Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art.
Through my artistic exploration on the course I have discovered a love of painting and creating artwork using mixed media. My favourite tool is a large paintbrush loaded with ink, watercolour or gouache and I get excited by the sometimes unexpected results that these fluid materials produce. Despite my passion for mark making and texture I strive for simplicity and clarity in my illustrations and I love creating characters and the worlds they occupy.
Here’s Justin’s…
What’s your favourite thing to draw?
At this moment, tigers, I’m developing a story with them as the central characters. I also love to take my sketchbook out and about to draw/paint from observation and my favourite subjects when I do this are buildings.
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Where is your favourite place to draw?
For pleasure, outside in the fresh air. Otherwise in my tiny home studio/box room. Sometimes I like to paint standing up and a kitchen work surface is the best height for this.
What’s your favourite thing to draw on?
Anything except for really expensive paper, it terrifies me. I prefer a smoothish surface to highly textured.
What’s your top favourite tool to draw with?
A scruffy paintbrush. I don’t have the patience to be precise and I like the texture and energy they can add to an illustration.
Do you have a favourite COMBO of tools you use?
At the moment I prefer watercolours or gouache with quite a lot of water combined with Derwent Inktense pencil crayons.
Is there a tool you always avoid?
So far, I don’t get on with acrylic paint because I prefer a certain amount of translucency to my paint and I don’t like the clean-up part. I also have not yet found a dip pen that isn’t too scratchy for me so I avoid pen and ink.
Is there a drawing tool you’d LOVE to try?
Oil paint. Though I’m nervous for the same reasons I don’t like acrylic paint. I would also like to find a dip pen that isn’t scratchy!
And finally
What’s your TOP favourite drawing snack?
Toast, we can’t have biscuits or crisps in the house because I would eat them all.
Image Etsy
Thanks so much Justin, it’s been a delight delving into the archives of your work. I thought you might appreciate this TOAST toy from yesteryear too, having been an ace toy designer and all ☺️
You can find and follow Justin on Instagram here and visit his website here.
For those who fancy it I’ll see you for dOOdling this Wednesday!
It’s a special treat open to all as I’ll be turning ‘bla bla’ this week and fancied a birthday treat!
We’re revisiting one of my favourites from a few seasons back, TENNIS. 7.30pm UK time on the ZOOM.
The Zoom code will be heading out on Wednesday morning as usual. Recording available as always if you can’t make the live session.
Happy Sunday ☺️
So lovely to read, thank you both!
Love Justin’s creations! Lovely read, thank you