Hello, how are you?
It’s interview number TWO of ‘With What Do I dOOdle?’. 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!
This time we’re delving into the pencil case of the super wonderful Mandy Sutcliffe.
Mandy has been illustrating children for over 25 years. She’s worked for clients from Disney to John Lewis, and co-created International Children's Brand Belle & Boo. These days Mandy mostly concentrates on limited edition prints, original paintings & private commissions.
I love Mandy’s work very much, and she’s ace to have a chin wag with too. Thank you Mandy for sharing your drawing board gems.
Mandy Sutcliffe…
Whats your favourite thing to draw?
My favourite thing to draw is children! I am slightly obsessed to the detriment of drawing anything else! I have always had a fascination with art depicting children & constantly look to the children’s books of my childhood for inspiration. Weird fact that I don’t often share, I hardly ever draw my own children.
Where is your favourite place to draw?
My favourite place to draw is at my desk in my studio. I work from home and have recently switched rooms with my children to a smaller room which is purely my studio (before my studio doubled up as the spare room) My desk is by a big window that looks out over lots of gardens, it has an original fireplace where I can photograph my products and I treated myself to a huge A0 plan chest, something I have always wanted but never had a dedicated space for until now.
What’s your favourite thing to draw on?
My favourite thing to draw on is tracing paper or grease proof paper I like the surface texture.
What’s your top favourite tool to draw with?
A 0.5mm mechanical pencil with a 2B lead. At the moment I use Penco Passers Mate, they are retro in style and come in lots of lovely colours. I always have at least 5 on the go at once as I loose them throughout the day along with my glasses!
Do you have a favourite combo?
I am happiest drawing on many many bits of tracing paper with pencil or ink. I then I scan them in to my computer where I work on the art work in photoshop. I have lots of textures and bits & bobs in a file called ‘useful stuff' which I use in my work to help make it look less digital. I have a trusted Epson printer, that I whisper words of thanks and encouragement to on a daily bases (as many, many printers have given up on me in the past at the most awkward of moments!) I use Somerset inkjet paper to print my giclee prints and a few years ago I invested in an embossing machine, so I can emboss my art works with my signature logo.
Is there a tool you always avoid?
Weirdly I am always attracted to oil pastels but when ever I use them I end up with big, muddy, angry looking messes!
Is there a drawing tool you’d love to try?
OOhhh well I did acquire my first iPad last Christmas and an Apple Pencil, full of confidence that I would embrace Procreate. I dabbled with it for a few months but lost confidence in my ability to use it more effectively than my analogue style. Now with hindsight I think the drawings I produced aren’t half bad and I was way too critical of myself, so I am determined to revisit it as a medium. I love that your drawing process is neatly recorded so you can watch it back as a little animation.
Favourite snack?
I’m not sure if coffee is technically a snack, but without fail I always have a warm fuzzy feeling in the evening, when I think about sitting at my desk the next day with an oat milk flat white or 2. If I do indulge in a biscuit or 3 it would be a Mc Vitiates dark chocolate digestive every time!
And just for you, here is…
Inspired by Mandy’s love of pencil & ink (or watercolour in this case) take out two minutes and dOOdle some tall glasses and colour with ink or watery paint.
Love to see how you dooooo, send me pics 🤗
I’m very excited to be launching some new hand painted personalised mini-plate portraits this week.
Quirky, completely original and all in my signature style. Complete with hook to hang on the wall.
A perfect gift for grandparents, parents, aunties, friends & family & pet lovers...
Available as single plates, or family sets. Each little portrait is made to order with acrylic & gouache on a 12cm ceramic plate. Order yours here!
AND finally we have the winner of last weeks
Having spotted the tricky 8 in the Spot The Difference it’s Karen Hancock! Congratulations Karen! Please send me your postal address for the books and preferred email for the years subscription.
Happy Wednesday everyone ☺️