Illustrator Spotlight: Hayley Lowe

© Hayley Lowe

July 1, 2020

We are excited to feature illustrator Hayley Lowe her July banner design for Kidlit411. Illustrators: be sure to check out the Kidlit411 Website Banner Contest 2020 for cash prizes plus your chance to be featured in a spotlight and have your banner on our website.

© Hayley Lowe
Tell us about your background and how you came to illustrate for children. 

My path to illustration started a little later than most. After earning a degree in contemporary dance in London I moved to New York to continue a dance career which eventually led me into the world of yoga. I worked as a children’s yoga instructor for many years and used storytelling as a tool to teach my classes. I started sketching out the stories which unlocked this overwhelming need to learn everything about the art of illustration. Once I started I was completely hooked and have been frantically trying to catch up ever since!


© Hayley Lowe


Congrats on your design for the Kidlit411 banner. Tell us about how you approached this illustration.

It’s an honour to be included, thank you! The image for this banner was created in 2016 and was inspired by the kids I was teaching at the time and their constant state of motion even when they think they are standing still. Created with graphite, ink and watercolour with some digital touch ups.


© Hayley Lowe


You have a lovely and distinctive style. Who or what are your influences?

Thank you! I am inspired by so many of the incredible illustrators out there. I’m particularly drawn to artists that use graphite or a combination of graphite and colour, some of my favourites are Beatrice Alemagna, The Fan Brother, Henry Holt, Marla Frazee and Shaun Tan. 


© Hayley Lowe 



What is your illustration process?

© Hayley Lowe

I usually start with little scribbly thumbnails until I land on a composition that feels right, I then start to expand the scribble working out the details and characters. Once the final sketch is established I start rendering. I use layers of watercolour, pencil crayon and graphite. This is then scanned into photoshop/procreate for digital compositing.

© Hayley Lowe
What projects are you working on now (and are you able to concentrate)?
© Hayley Lowe

I’m rounding the corner on my first author-illustrator picture book dummy. Finding the space to concentrate during this time has been challenging as I’m sure it has been for most. I’ve noticed it takes longer to get started and into the groove but once I’m there it’s my favourite place to be.


What is one thing most people don't know about you?

I’m an avid thrifter! I love searching for hidden gems at car boot sales, flea markets, vintage shops and consignment stores. Once whilst walking down a street in Toronto I found a beautiful old art supply storage box with a note attached ‘ready to be loved again’ It now lives in B.C with me and homes my daughter’s art supplies!


© Hayley Lowe

Where can people find you online?

 Instagram @hloweart
Hayley Lowe was born in the UK and now lives with her husband and daughter in Vancouver, B.C. Hayley works as an illustrator and outreach yoga teacher. When not at her drawing table you can find her stomping through the forest with her daughter or curled up in the library next to a stack of picture books.

Comments

  1. I love your work! It's funny how people find their careers. We place so much emphasis on "knowing" what you want to do when you graduate from high school. It seems so silly, unless you have a particular passion for something. And even then, changing your mind isn't unusual. Congrats on finding what feels good for you!

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  2. LOVE these illustrations! Congrats!

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  3. Beautiful! Love the composition of your illustrations! Best wishes!

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