Lottie Withers is a French-English illustrator based in London.
Lottie Withers is a French-English illustrator based in London. She graduated from Middlesex University (London) with a master's in Children’s Book Illustration and Graphic Novels last summer. With a few projects in the making - from a young graphic novel set in the Arctic full of adventures to an autobiographical graphic novel about living with an auto-immune condition - Lottie loves to create new, exciting and engaging stories for young people, stories she would have loved to read as a kid.
What would you say is your best piece of work / collaboration to date, and why?
My best piece of work has to be a set of postcards I designed, depicting a series of endangered nocturnal animals that were exhibited during the end of degree show at uni. It was at the start of my digital illustration journey and reflects the textures and colours I love using when drawing digitally to this day.
Where do you like to go to be inspired, or how do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration anywhere from nature to illustrated books and antique architecture. Wildlife is definitely a huge inspiration especially birds, plants and animals. I always bring a sketchbook on a visit to the park, museum or zoo to sketch as many subjects as possible. I’m a big sketchbook person so the moment I’ve got an idea I always scribble it down.
Is there anything you'd say you would be a good advocate for? Please elaborate if so.
I’m an advocate for the 22q11 community. My current project is a graphic memoir that highlights what it’s like growing up with this genetic condition.
What would you say sets you apart from other illustrators? Something you feel is unique to you.
Probably my endless desire to draw something new, with lots of colour! I always have too many ideas that I need to put on paper, whether it’s an idea for a story inspired by a myth or a collection of illustrations exploring new compositions and design. I’m not afraid to try a new style and love to experiment with shapes and expressive features.
How would you describe your style?
Colourful, creative and full of emotion – I like to vary with line art and colour schemes to bring an illustration to life.
Please give a scenario of a project that would mean the world to you, if you were offered it - something that connects to something meaningful to you.
Becoming a full-time illustrator is my dream job, in particular a book illustrator working on picture books and graphic novels. Consuming these as a child brought me great joy and I spent much of my time with my nose buried in a book. I want to create new, exciting and engaging stories and illustrations for the future generations to enjoy reading with just as much enthusiasm. Stories that will help them understand the world they live in through morals and poetry and diverse backgrounds, stories that will show how amazing and sometimes sad life can be and how to cope handling lots of emotions with relatable characters.
Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?
I am currently finishing a graphic novel called “Kimi and the Bear King” based on Inuit myth and was awarded a “Highly Commended” for the Macmillan’s Prize for Illustration 2023. It tells the story of a young Inuit girl called Kimi who goes on a quest to save her father from the spirit realm.
Finally, if you were to illustrate a book related to a real life person, who would that be?
It would have to be Sir David Attenborough – as a passionate documentary watcher, I have seen pretty much all of his series from the famous Blue Planet episodes to his latest Planet Earth III ones. They have taught me how to love the natural world and use these elements in my illustrations.
If you’d like more info, please contact: [email protected]
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