The Illustrator
Rod Allen is the illustrator for the Georgie Tanner series. He is a freelance cartoon artist who lives in Sydney. Rod has been drawing ever since he could hold a pencil. He can sit down and in minutes start drawing characters. As a kid he was obsessed with cartoons and used to draw the characters he saw. "I don't know where this gift came from because no-one has ever taught me to draw!" Rod says. He studied animation at Walt Disney studios. Rod's biggest project so far has been to illustrate the Georgie Tanner series. "I let my imagination go ... and I enjoyed it very much," he says. Rod's expressive cartoon style was exactly what Justyn was looking for in his books. |
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Interview with Rod Allen
1) What are the steps of drawing a picture?
First I get an idea in my mind - scribble it down a few times - and pick my favourite. Then I sketch it in pencil, shade it with ink and use a pen to do the outline.
2) Do you have the picture in your mind before you start drawing?
Yes I do. I'm very visual and I see the picture in my mind as I read the manuscript. I usually know what I'm about to draw when I pick up my pen.
3) How many tries do you have at a picture?
Sometimes I'm happy with my first attempt. Other times I may change it once or twice.
4) Is it hard to turn words into a picture?
Not really. I get a very clear picture in my mind as I read. It's almost as if I see everything as a movie.
5) Is there a special place you do your illustrating?
I can pretty much draw anywhere - although I usually draw laying flat down on the lounge room floor, surrounded by paper. I prefer that to sitting at a desk.
6) Is it fun?
I love drawing, but like everything it can get boring if you do it for too long in one sitting.
7) Did you always want to be an illustrator?
Always. I have been drawing as long as I can remember.
8) Were you good at art in school?
It was my favourite subject, although I was always more interested in cartoons than Rembrandt.
9) How old are you and where do you live?
I am as old as time itself, and I live in a galaxy far, far away.
10) How long have you been drawing for?
Since I could hold a pen. I have drawings I did when I was three.
11) Will you illustrate any more books after this?
I hope so!
12) What was your favourite picture to draw?
Any picture with Georgie in it, I love drawing her. She's a fun character with a lot of spunk!