Today's blog post introduces our newest signing, Briony May Smith, to the portfolio. 'Grab that Rabbit', with Pavilion Books publishes today, coinciding nicely with World Book Day, so we thought a behind-the-scenes look at the project was a fitting choice!
There can be no doubt that Polly Faber's tale of kindness and forgiveness (with a dose of adventure!) was the perfect text for Briony's artwork - whose illustrations are often inspired by her rural surroundings. Briony brings a warmth and richness to her work with her soft pencil line and vivid colours.
Scroll down to see early cover explorations, first book layouts and more...
There can be no doubt that Polly Faber's tale of kindness and forgiveness (with a dose of adventure!) was the perfect text for Briony's artwork - whose illustrations are often inspired by her rural surroundings. Briony brings a warmth and richness to her work with her soft pencil line and vivid colours.
Scroll down to see early cover explorations, first book layouts and more...
Initial cover design ideas - with an early title 'Hodge's Podge''
Early layouts and colour experiments
Sketches through to final art
| I was so excited to illustrate Polly Faber’s funny, gorgeous tale of a greedy bunny and the dangers he encounters! I’ve always had a soft spot for rabbits, I had one called Daisy growing up (shown here on the right). He was sexed incorrectly, hence his feminine name, which stuck. I won a £20 voucher in a ‘Pets At Home' drawing competition and I bought Daisy with my winnings. When I was 9 my best friend Natalie and I were adamant we would live together when we were grown ups and keep as many rabbits as we wanted. |  |
When I started sketching the character of Hodge, two lambs were born on a nearby farm. One had a very striking black ear, which prompted me to place Hodge’s 'black splodge', as described in the text, on his ear and face. The cottage of Mrs Sprat is loosely based on the cottages I love to look at in Ireland, where half my family are from.
Mrs Sprat's cottage....
Final artwork with items from Briony's own life hidden amongst the objects
It was an absolute delight to work on this text, starting with a few concept pieces, followed by loose thumbnails and roughs, and then onto colour artwork. I had a lot of fun hiding bugs and little details into the artwork, as I fondly remember looking for secret stories in picture books as a child. There are even items I own in the book. There are dog figurines based on my dog Finbar and our old family dog Paddy. I also own a sheep figurine and a tiny China teapot and a blue mug with pink flowers which feature in Mrs Sprat’s kitchen. There is a white chicken in a frame which is our ten year old chicken Sully. I hope people enjoy reading about Hodge and his adventures!
Welcome to the agency, Briony!
Welcome to the agency, Briony!