Steve May - Illustrator's Q&A

 

Illustrator Q&A for the Big Bearded Bookseller (@IndieBookshopUK)

Where I discuss drawing, conversations with random cats, my influences & basing a villain on an ‘evil-David Dickinson’ amongst others…

Read the interview here 

When did you know you wanted to become an illustrator?

I always drew obsessively as a kid but I didn’t realise you could do it as a living until I was about 10 years old & discovered 2000ad

How long does it typically take to make a page or cover for a book?

Ha ha! How long is a piece of string? It depends how many characters are involved. My present book has a big cast of characters so the cover was quite complicated!

What’s your favourite piece of art equipment?

I love dip pens although I’m a rather destructive illustrator & I frequently destroy them!

Do you have a favourite colour scheme, if so what and why?

I seem to often lean towards purples & oranges but nothing in particular

Who were your inspirations when starting out?

There are SO many artists I love but Tove Jansson (Moomins) Mick McMahon (Judge Dredd etc.) Albert Uderzo (Asterix) & Ralph Steadman all had a huge influence on me

Do you have another job beside being an illustrator, if so what?

I’m an animation director & I lecture in animation.

What do you do to overcome a creative block?

Eat things I shouldn’t or go for long walks & start up conversations with random cats I meet in the street.

Do you have a favourite piece in your portfolio, if so could you share it and talk about it?

It changes all the time. I like to feel I’m always moving forward so it’s usually something I’ve done recently. I’m rather fond of the cover from Supernan’s Day Out by Phil Earle which was published last year 2022 by Barrington Stoke – it’s got lots of things I love in it, superheroes, the seaside, ridiculous animals (& if you look closely there’s a little cameo of me wearing a striped shirt eating an ice lolly & holding an inflatable fish in the background.

What was your first book related project?

I *think* the first children’s book I illustrated professionally was called ‘James & The Alien Experiment’ by Sally Prue back in 2005

What type of media do you prefer to work in and why?

I love pen & ink but I generally work digitally so my stuff is usually a bit of a hybrid

Do you have a playlist you like working to? If so do you want to share it?

I like noisy music when I’m colouring in!

Do you have any rituals when working?

Does ‘pulling stupid faces’ count?

Do you have a favourite artist outside of the world of books, if so who and why?

Too many to mention, early Hockney, Francis Bacon, Jean Dubuffet, Aubrey Beardsley (& all the other ones I’ve forgotten!)

Did the books you read as a child influence your work?

Very much so! I loved the Asterix & Moomin books & Richard Scarry’s work was phenomenal. (I had the honour of getting a quote on the covers of recent Scarry reissues from Faber which was VERY exciting!)

Has your illustration/art style changed over time?

Yes, but gradually. (although I’m sure my critics would say I just drew the same nonsense over & over again!)

How closely do you work with the author on developing the illustrations for a book?

I like to be able to send over character ideas & discuss them with the author – sometimes I’ll ask them if they have anybody in mind for a particular character. When I was working with Harry Hill we concocted a villain who was half Nick Cotton from Eastenders & half ‘Evil-David Dickinson’!*

(*You’ll only know David Dickinson if you watch too much daytime TV!)

If you could illustrate any classic book which would it be and why?

Alice in Wonderland would be fun but I’d also love to have a crack at Andy Stanton’s Mr Gum books!

Which illustrated books in the last year have you loved?

Too hard! I did rather love Sister Clawdetta by the brilliant Tor Freeman!

If you can please tell us about your latest project and if not your last project

My latest project is a picture book with the brilliant Francesca Simon which I’m sworn to secrecy on – I’ve been working with Francesca on her Two Terrible Vikings series for Faber but this is a new picture book for younger readers – hilarious & VERY colourful – watch this space…

Do you have any events on in the near future?

I’m doing Wimbledon Bookfest for World Book Day on the 9th March with Francesca Simon talking about our latest book Two Terrible Vikings – Feast With The King – expect mayhem (that’s MAY-hem of course!)

Supernan's Day Out - behind the scenes

 

In celebration of the publication of Supernan's Day Out, the sequel to Superdad's Day Off & the 4th collaboration between me & the brilliant Phil Earle I thought I'd share some of my process & initial sketches for the book. 

Being brought up by the seaside reading superhero comics the British seaside resort & superheroes are subjects very close to my heart so in Supernan I had to opportunity to indulge myself in both so that's a bit of a bonus! I decided to base the seaside resort on an amalgam of Blackpool, my hometown Hastings with a little dash of vintage Coney Island into the mix

This was my very first sketch for the cover which is hidden away on the back of my sketchbook. At this point I hadn't read the book but I'd seen the precis & we wanted to echo the wraparound cover from Superdad's Day Off. Here's some more early pics of nan (on the back of an envelope!)

This was my initial rough which I sent to the publisher. They liked nan's styling but Phil thought nan needed to look a bit older & more frail so I had a little rejig.

They liked this version so I added a bit of colour...

(& added a sneaky cameo of me with an inflatable fish & an ice lolly shhhh!)

A few more sketches of the clifftop hotel being drenched by a tidal wave & my first sketch of Gladys, Nan's best friend

PUBLICATION DAY FOR SUPERNAN'S DAY OUT!

 

Supernan's Day Out by the brilliant Phil Earle & me is published TODAY! (Thursday 6th May 2022)

'An unexpected family secret has hilarious consequences in this action-packed story from Phil Earle and illustrator Steve May - perfect for superhero fans. Plane crashes, robberies and fires were not what Stanley was expecting on a day out at the seaside with his nan and the other residents of her care home!

Nan doesn't know about his superpowers, so Super Stan can't step in to help as it would blow his cover. Luckily, though, another mysterious superhero seems to be on hand, saving the day.

But who could it possibly be?'

This is the sequel to Superdad's Day Off & is full of colourful hilarious action. It's my 4th collaboration with Phil & publisher Barrington Stoke & I always relish our projects. 

I loved illustrating this book & it was huge fun relating the antics of Stan & his nan & reimagining a seaside town which was part Hastings (my hometown) part Blackpool with a tiny smidgeon of Coney Island in the mix somewhere. Being brought up by the sea reading superhero comics the British seaside resort & superheroes are subjects very close to my heart so in Supernan I had to opportunity to indulge myself in both so that's a bit of a bonus!

Nip down to your favourite bookshop & tell them me & Phil sent you (or alternatively you can order a copy here)

Albert Johnson & the Buns of Steel - PUBLICATION DAY!

My THIRD collaboration with the brilliant Phil Earle Albert Johnson & The Buns Of Steel is published today by the lovely folk at Barrington Stoke. It's got giant robots, PLENTY of baked goods & jam grenades in it!

What an absolute riot this was to illustrate, Phil's writing is always very inspiring & I had a lot of fun drawing this I hope people will have a lot of fun reading it.

(I also love the fact that the title came from Phil's son who challenged him to get a book called 'Buns of Steel' published - and he DID!)

"This sparkling new story – brimming with Earle’s signature wicked wit and May’s anarchic illustrations – delivers slapstick giggles and guffaws on every page. Don’t miss the bun fun! 

(Pam Norfolk - Lancashire Post)

Albert Johnson’s dad is a Master Baker, so Albert will become one too, right? Wrong!

Albert’s not interested in baking. He likes football. Cricket. Tennis. Or any other sport you could name. But Albert’s dad still needs help in the family bakery, so he builds a machine like no other: the Doughmaster 5000. It seems to have solved all their problems, until one night, Dad’s miracle solution turns into a rampaging disaster. It’s up to Albert to fix the mess – but will his sporting skills save him now?

You can see our previous 2 collaborations Superdad's Day Off & Unlucky Eleven here!

COVER REVEAL! Albert Johnson & the Buns of Steel

 Here's the cover for my third collaboration with the brilliant Phil Earle Albert Johnson & the Buns of Steel* which is published by Barrington Stoke in January.
I had great fun illustrating this, it's a big colourful action-packed riot, allowing me to reference '50s B-movie posters, 2000ad comic, numerous baked goods & sneaky Half Man Half Biscuit references to boot!

*The title actually came from Phil's eldest son betting him that he couldn't turn a daft title of his choice into a published book & here it is!

The Unlucky Eleven - publication day!

The Unlucky Eleven which is published today is my second collaboration with author Phil Earle for Barrington Stoke as part of their Little Gems series.
I really enjoyed illustrating this funny action packed story about a rather shambolic & comical football team with a supposedly cursed football kit! It's a very nicely produced & designed book & you can either by it online or even better head down to your nearest independent bookshop & ask for it.
"The action flows, both on the pitch and in the dressing room, and the story feels as real and authentic as a pair of muddy football boots. Steve May’s illustrations are bang on...A winner!"

(Andrea Reece)

Superdad's Day Off

 Superdad's Day Off by Phil Earle with illustrations by me is out now published by Barrington Stoke.

"Stanley is a normal little boy, whose dad just happens to be the greatest superhero on the planet. Six days a week, Dad saves the world from disasters, aliens, and bad guys. Friday is his day off and he always spends it with Stan. But one Friday, Dad and Stan meet a series of people desperately in need of Dad’s help! Soon Stan finds himself saving a lion stuck up a tree, rescuing a monster truck from a ditch and taking on shark-infested floodwaters. That’s right: Stan is a chip off the old (superhero) block!"

Was an absolute blast to illustrate & I'm pleased with how well it's come out, here's a few bits & pieces from the book.

Superdad's Day Off (sneak preview)

Shhhhh! Here's a sneak preview of Superdad's Day Off by the very funny Phil Earle with lots of nice colour pictures by me. It's published by Barrington Stoke on the 15th April & you can pre-order it here.
I'll write & post more once it's published. I've got previous form with superheroes so was BIG fun to illustrate!