Illustration | Nicky Johnston

How I Stretch my Watercolour Paper

by Nicky | Jul 15, 2020 | Illustration

I am asked A LOT about the process I use to stretch my watercolour paper, so while preparing my paper for a new book I am illustrating (The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp – written by Paul Russel, EK Books) I decided to record my process. Now, I...

Illustration Process – Under the Same Sky

by Nicky | Sep 4, 2019 | Illustration

I love reflecting on the whole process of a book. Especially when I go back to some of my very first sketches. The evolution of illustrations can happen quite quickly but generally take many, many sketches to finally get the perfect story telling illustrations before...

Hide and Seek with Grandpa – Illustration Process

by Nicky | Jul 22, 2019 | Illustration

Illustrations… Here is a bit of insight into to how I illustrated picture book Hide and Seek with Grandpa. (Written by Ed Allen, Published by Scholastic Australia, 2018) My character for Grandpa didn’t start as a lion! Here are some other...

Illustration Process – At the end of Holyrood Lane

by Nicky | Jan 23, 2019 | Illustration

Where do I start? For this book (At the end of Holyrood Lane) I began with sticky notes to create my initial thumbnails. Due to my full life, I set up a folder that I would take with me everywhere so I could use all my available time to jot down my ideas. From these...

The Fix-It Man – My Illustration Process

by Nicky | Feb 27, 2017 | Announcement, Illustration

The moment I read Dimity’s manuscript I was connected. The visuals of the characters, scenes and sub-stories came with such ease that my initial concept roughs were almost completed before the contracts had actually been signed! This post-it note layout...

52 Week Illustration Challenge 2016

by Nicky | Oct 28, 2016 | 52 Week Illustration Challenge, Illustration

Due to my rather busy book illustrating schedule, I haven’t been able to keep up with doing all of the weekly themes for 52-Week Illustration Challenge…. Here are some of the pieces I have managed this year! Week 9: Watercolour Week 10: Animal Week 11:...