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Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Katy Halford

alumni success 04 Make Art That Sells Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Katy Halford

We are so proud of our Make Art That Sells Alumni, and we are pleased to feature a series of spotlight interviews showcasing their successes and artwork. We’ve asked them to share how the MATS courses have helped them learn and grow. You can see more Alumni Success stories here

Profile Picture1 Make Art That Sells Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Katy Halford Today, we have an interview with Katy Halford who has taken MATS A, MATS B, Bootcamp, Home Decor and Illustrating Children’s Books

1. Tell us a little about how you got started in art and design…

Ever since I have known I have always loved to draw. I was supported from a young age by my parents and grandparents and they encouraged to draw whenever I could. I remember I used to draw eyelashes on every character, and this became a distinct quirk in my drawings and has stuck with me ever since. I also used to make little cut out houses and shops and cut out my characters to play in them. As a child I would play for hours in these imagery worlds, creating little stories and acting them out. My teachers also encouraged this from a young age and supported me through school and university and my love of drawing has just continued to grow.

2. Lilla always says “People buy your joy”. What brings you joy?

Anything creative brings me joy. I particularly love to draw characters, they are almost always given a name and creating a little story about them too is great fun! I am fascinated with people and animals and drawing new hairstyles, clothing, adding hats, glasses, freckles etc to my characters. I also love pattern so this is where I have fun designing the clothing and accessories, I like to jazz them up. Something else that brings me joy is collecting quirky bits and bobs to put on show in my studio!

RN 21 Make Art That Sells Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Katy Halford

3. Which is your favourite market(s) to design for and why?

My most favourite market to work with is the Children’s Book world, it’s so exciting! I love seeing my characters develop, from character studies, to drawing rough pencil sketched spreads and then bringing it all to life by adding the colour. To finally see your hard work pay off in a printed published book is an amazing feeling, and to see people enjoying your illustrations is so satisfying. Every project is different too!

Another market I enjoy is the licensing market, I like working to a simple colour palette and you can really have fun with the design and typography. It’s interesting to see how parts of your illustration can be applied differently to create a variety of cards or papers to create a whole collection.

4. What are you working on currently?

I am currently working on various exciting book projects for publishers. I can’t wait to share more books with you soon!

Whilst working on those I am keeping an A6 sketchbook to do quick character sketches in. It’s a good way to record everyday characters I may pass in the street, taking note of hairs styles, dress etc… and you never know they might end up in one of the books I illustrate or prompt the making of a story!

Moz the Monster1 Make Art That Sells Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Katy Halford

5. What are some the key things you have learnt from the MATS experience?

I’m not sure where to start… I learnt so much whilst doing the courses!

Firstly, to keep positive and enjoy what you do. Like Lilla says “People buy your joy”, so continue to do what you love to draw, don’t compare, be yourself! I think they are some of the most valuable things I have learnt and taken from the courses. You have to remind yourself sometimes!

RN 11 Make Art That Sells Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Katy Halford

6. How have the classes helped your artwork evolve/grow?

The courses have taught me to look at things differently, for example my colour palettes… I used to create really bright colourful illustrations, but since taking the courses I have learnt to add less bright colours and use more neutral colours so it strikes a balance. Then when you add a brighter colour to the neutral palette the colour is more effective, and much more pleasing to the eye.

7. Any aha moments during MATS you would like to share?

Every time I take a MATS class there is an ‘aha’ moment, it might be that I was struggling with something and then all of a sudden it clicks. This is mainly triggered through the live reviews, the amazing content or from some helpful advice from a fellow student in class.

8. What are your key successes and how did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?

Whilst taking the Children’s Book course I was signed by agent, Plum Pudding Illustration Agency having spotted a piece of work from the course (poses week). This has led me to work on several book projects and I illustrated my very first picture book Moz the Monster with Nosy Crow to accompany the John Lewis Christmas advert last year. It was a dream come true!

I’d always drawn people in my licensing designs before I took ICB but I’d never actually drew them with a personally and emotion. Obviously I’d drawn characters in pictures and stories when I was younger and to have the opportunity to bring them to life on ICB was something I could not miss. So I signed up for the course. After all I’d always had an interest in children’s books, and this course proved to be my most favourite mats course of all.

The course helped me develop from static emotionless characters, to characters with expression, movement, personally and not only that, learning how to put them into an environment, it really was great fun!

Stan the brown bear1 Make Art That Sells Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Katy Halford

9. What did you discover about yourself?

I have grown as a person, its given me confidence in myself and my work and has put even more joy into drawing. I find all these characters popping up in my head, that I try to jot down as much as I can, it’s been like an opening into another world. Having drawn everyday on the course it reminded me that it’s so important to continue to keep drawing as much as you can and invest in yourself, it really does help you develop as an artist.

10. How would you describe taking a MATS class to a fellow artist looking to develop their art?

A great place to meet other artists, intense, inspiring, challenging, and it really develops the growth in your artwork. Such a great learning experience, I would highly recommend.

11. How would you describe the course to a friend?

ICB taught me everything I needed to know about developing a character for a children’s book. It’s was a fantastic experience, great value, provides extensive information and such a great creative community full of lots of budding artists. Oh and of course amazing teachers Lilla and Zoe! It has also lay down the foundations to the start of my career in children’s book illustration which I hope to continue for many years to come!

12. What is your dream gig for your artwork?

My biggest dream is to write and illustrate my own children’s book, this has been a dream since I was small.

See more work here: Website | Instagram

 

 

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Graduates of our courses have gone on to win work from clients such as Hallmark, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Oopsy Daisy, Uppercase Magazine, West Elm, Midwest CBK, and more. It is industry learning that works in the real world. Find out more HERE and start today!

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