Eye-catching colours, simplistic but confident linework with a lot of movement; introducing Chanté Timothy

Chanté Timothy (Pronounced Shan-Tay) is Black British Caribbean and a freelance illustrator from London. She evokes smiles and joy with her bold, colourful illustrations.  Most known for her brilliant illustrations in "A Black Woman Did That" by Malaika Adero.

Her work can be described as a great blend of eye-catching colours, simplistic but confident linework with a lot of movement and energy in each piece. She uses a combination of traditional techniques in her linework and digital software for the colouring process. She believes that representation of all aspects of life is essential.

We wanted to know more, so approached her with these questions….

When did you start illustrating?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, I was that kid that would ask for a pencil and some paper and entertain myself drawing instead of playing with dolls. I have always planned on drawing for a living and I became a professional illustrator straight after university in 2016

Who has been the most supportive in your illustration career, perhaps your teacher, family, friends?
My mum has always been the most supportive person in my life, she would create personalised sketchbooks for me to draw in when I was really little and she now gushes to everyone about my work even down to the large painting I made at sixteen that hangs in our living room.

Did you always think art was something that was going to be a major part of your life?
There was never a doubt, I don’t believe there’s another career path better suited to me, illustration has been the only passion I’ve ever had.

What is your favourite subject matter to illustrate?
My favourite thing to draw is people, I love movement and expressions and telling a story through a character or multiple characters.

How would you describe your style?
I would describe my work as a great blend of eye-catching colours, simplistic but confident linework with a lot of movement and energy in each piece. I use a combination of traditional techniques in her linework and digital software for the colouring process

What is your favourite collaboration to date?
To date, my favourite collaboration was my debut children’s book “A Black Woman Did That” by Malaika Adero. I learnt so much in my research about 42 amazing women, my favourite illustration in the project is my depiction of Alice Coltrane.

What interested you about being represented by Illo Agency?
I believe that representation of all aspects of life is important to express in children’s books to allow children to ask questions or in fact see themselves in the society that we have built as an individual and equal to others. Joining an agency that’s main focus is about diversity seems like a fitting choice.

Do you have a favourite author, film director, or designer?
I'm inspired by a few people and they influence my work because of all the positivity they spread, mainly accepting others differences and one's true self.
Malorie Blackman in the way she writes and in my favourite book series of all time “Noughts & Crosses”. Andrea Pippins as she’s already striving to create images that reflect what she wants to see in art, media, and design as a person of colour. Sharna who sparked a discussion over the web about diversity in children’s books, Andy J Pizza’s amazing “Creative Pep Talks” for that week’s boost in positivity in the creative industry. Michelle Obama … well, it’s Michelle Obama what else can you say, amazing woman and amazing book. Frannerd is my role model and inspiration on where I’d like to be in my career and a freelance illustrator. Andre 3000 (Outkast), Anderson Paak, Lizzo are just amazing musicians and so expressive and passionate I aspire to have that kind of passion in my own work.

Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?
I haven’t got any personal projects going at the moment as I’m in between commissioned pieces.

Do you listen to podcasts? If so, do you have a favourite?
I don’t listen to many podcasts but I do listen the Andy J Pizza’s Creative Pep talk but I mainly listen to Audiobooks, at the moment I’m in the middle of Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

If you have any questions, or a project in mind for Chanté, please do get in touch: [email protected]
at illo agency we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.