Category: design

Experiments in lockdown


I’ve been getting to grips with digital painting over the last few months. It’s nothing like good old fashioned paint and canvas, but it has some advantages worth making the effort for. The only comment I can offer which might be of any use is that illustrating digitally requires a different approach. Think of constructing…… Continue reading Experiments in lockdown

The age of the Afronaut


Afronaut is a new publishing project from company Alanna Max, featuring books about and for African children, the Afronauts. Many have yet to see themselves in a book, despite the millions of folktales and stories from each culture on the continent. It’s been a dream of mine to play back all the wonderful ‘nganos’, or stories from my…… Continue reading The age of the Afronaut

From Idea to Book #5


Sometimes writers and illustrators question their ability. That’s normal and keeps us pushing for excellence. However, they shouldn’t question their saleability. That is for someone else to do, so let it go. There are people who know as much about selling as you do about creating, so you are in safe hands… Teamwork is what…… Continue reading From Idea to Book #5

From Idea to Book 3


#3 Less is more In books for the very young say as much as possible with a few words. Illustrations have a high literary value. They really speak to the reader. If you develop your stories with text, write freely first, then each time you revisit your story craft the maximum meaning into fewer and…… Continue reading From Idea to Book 3

The language of West African Icons


Here’s a free download for you to enjoy! Sometimes you can come up with an idea that doesn’t quite fit its intended audience. What to do? This idea isn’t necessarily new to the world but it might be timely, with Valentine’s Day coming… Adinkra symbols are used in fabrics and pottery by the peoples of…… Continue reading The language of West African Icons