SIAN BOWMAN
Sian Bowman is a freelance illustrator based in Herefordshire, UK, who specializes in illustrating children’s books and creating artwork for kids.
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CREATIVE STATEMENT
I have always been interested in children’s books. My ‘light bulb’ moment happened when my sister Jody and I went to the video shop and accidentally picked a film about ‘how to draw Garfield’, after the initial disappointment that we hadn’t picked the cartoon—I remember avidly watching how the characters were developed and I have never looked back. I completed an MA in Fine Art at Aberystwyth University and began freelancing in 2012. My expertise in illustrating for children has developed from working on over 20 children’s books projects to date. I am an illustrator who specializes in creating Illustrations for children’s books, card ranges and toy design. I nurture this focus and maintain my skillset by continuing to keep a sketchbook and making time for observational drawing. I endeavor to capture two important qualities to create a successful finished book illustration these being a fluidity of line and the feeling captured in an initial sketch. My work is gentle and fun and I hope to spark the viewers imagination with many hidden details.
RECENT CLIENTS
- Warmies
- Jellycat
- Central 23 Greeting Cards
- Owlet Press
Q&A
What was your favorite storybook as a child?
I have so many, but I particularly remember Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit and never getting tired of the story and the wonderful detail in the illustrations. They light my imagination.
Which authors do you admire most?
I feel so grateful to Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury for the story We’re Going On A Bear Hunt. I remember it fondly as a child but it came to life reading it with my own children. Before my daughter turned two I have a recording of her turning the page and telling the story. From memory she knew the rhythm, rhyme and pacing of the book, it helped her develop her language and it was so special to experience the joy of each page with her. Currently I am in love the author and Illustrator Roger Duvoisin and I particularly love his goose character ‘Petunia’. The books are so humorous, Duvoisin’s line work is incredible and I am inspired by his limited colour pallette and eye for design.
What characteristic really brings a children’s book to life?
I think if the author and Illustrator make you feel like the story is real. A little like if you were shooting a scene of a film, they had thought about what would be there how would everything play out, how each of the characters interact. This sense of place and intrigue can be created by having elements through out the pictures that weave other stories in—there might be little clues as to what’s to come next. I still love finding hidden details in the stories I read.