Interview: Rhiannon Archard

Preferred Pronoun?
She/her

Why did you choose to enter this work?
It's one of my favourte illustrations that I've done, and its a spread from a story I've written. I hoped entering it to the WIA would give it a little boost when I submit the text to publishers.

What’s your favourite thing about your shortlisted project?
I love the surprised look on Nana's face when she opens the cupboard. I was quite nervous about cutting into the finished illustration with a knife to make the flap, but it worked out really well.

What excites you most about being shortlisted?
I'm mostly excited about the potential to reach a wider audience and new clients, and being able to tell publishers that the illustration for my story was shortlisted.

Where do you usually work?
I work out of my basement studio, lovingly dubbed 'The Cave'.

How long did it take to complete your project?
I knocked away at it for about 6 weeks, but the idea was in my head for a long long time before that. I will most likely be editing the text until someone tells me to stop.

What is your dream commission?
Apart from illustrating my own story, I would love to illustrate a classic like The Secret Garden or The Swiss Family Robinson. I think it's important to breathe new life into old tales.

What’s your favourite thing to draw?
Recently I've been enjoying drawing musicians, I love the challenge of capturing the passion in their expressions.

What is your best tip for other illustrators?
If you want to start a career in illustration you have to treat it like a job, way before you ever get paid. If you treat it like a hobby it will always be a hobby.

What are your plans for the future?
I will keep writing stories and continue to submit them to publishers, but I'd like to develop my portfolio to be more suited to a wider variety of publishing projects.


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