[ELTWeekly Volume 8, Issue 9 | June 6, 2016 | ISSN 0975-3036]

Andrea Sarto says, “As an illustrator it is interesting (and often cringe-inducing) to look back and observe the evolution of my drawing style over the years. Usually it’s a steady progression with the odd experiment thrown in but Guess What! was possibly the most dramatic shift in my style in recent memory.

My original approach to the characters (above) was very typical of the work I was producing at the time, cartoony with black outlines, flat colours and simple shading. I was given a nice, clear brief describing their main features and I was quite happy with my initial designs, though in retrospect the eyes were a bit googly. I thought, for a robot, iPal was particularly cute. The comments at this stage were to make David and Olivia’s hair less old-fashioned (a bit alarming as David’s hairstyle was based on my son’s!), a few clothing adjustments and to change iPal’s eyes to be more robotic. However the main request was to make the colouring and shading more 3D.

(more…)

[ELTWeekly Volume 8, Issue 9 | June 6, 2016 | ISSN 0975-3036]

Andrea Sarto says, “I have this habit when I start a book.

Maybe ‘habit’ is the wrong word. It’s more of a strategy. First, I have a really good look at it – judge it by its cover. Next I’ll read the first line, word by word. Then I’ll read the first chapter, twice. Sometimes I’ll read it more than twice.

Why? Basically, it’s because I enjoy it. I want to savour it. It’s such a treat to tune yourself into a new story – the style, the sense of place and character that the author is creating. That’s why I take it slowly. It’s all about anticipation. You never quite know what’s going to happen.

(more…)