Jim Field

Hailing from the town of Farnborough (the one with the airshow), I drew from a very early age with a burning ambition to ‘make cartoons’.

I studied animation at Hull School of Art and Design, graduating in 2002, then gradually paved my way into the animation industry working as a director for Partizan in London for 5 years. Meanwhile, I was also penning my way as a freelance illustrator working for editorial publications. Now 32 years old, based up in North East London, most of my work is for children’s book’s.

When did you decide you wanted to be illustrator?
As far back as I can remember I was always drawing, bringing a drawing ‘to life’ through animation always amazed me and still does. I love designing characters and the worlds they live in and it was this side of the animation industry that I was interested in, but over the last few years I’ve found myself stepping more and more away from animation and into illustration. Mainly due to the way the commercial animation industry expects you to give away art and ideas for free, but I won’t rant anymore on that.

Would you recommend studying at art school?
Yes I would. Its a great place to meet like minded arty folks and it can really broaden your outlook, approach and inspirations.

How long was it before illustration became your primary form of income?
Over the last 4 years illustration started to overtake my income from animation, now its pretty much my sole income.

Could you describe your typical day? 
I’ll get up about 8am, load up on Weetabix, make a brew and sit at my computer checking emails etc for half hour or so. Then crack on with artworking whatever book/project I’m working on. At the moment I’m busy illustrating picture books and fiction books – which is how I like it, when I’m not busy my mind skips from one thing to another and I end up getting nothing finished. I’ll usually be working until 11pm or until my eyes can take no more, which is the downside of working from home – their is no ‘escape’.

What do you wish you’d know when you first started out?
I wish I was aware of more artists work, its easier now with the internet and all that!

What’s the best thing about being an illustrator?
Getting paid to draw!

What’s the worst thing about being an illustrator?
It can be a very lonely world, stuck inside like a hermit with pens and pencils as your friends.

If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be?
When I was a kid I thought about being a stuntman. Bit too dangerous though. Something in the world of music would be fun too.

Any other tips you could share?
Always keep multiple back-ups!

jimfield.co.uk