I had a very entertaining chat with Liz Million – A rather vibrant illustrator who is every bit as colourful as her artwork.
Welcome to Stoomio and congrats on being the first illustrator 🙂 Please take some time to tell us a bit about yourself and where you are from?
My name is Liz Million and I love to draw! I’ve been a successful illustrator/author of children’s books since I left Kingston University back in 1998. I live in Darlington with my lovely husband, my wild, funny son, George who is 11 and my beautiful Bedlington terrier, Peggy.
When I’m not drawing in my studio at home, I love to visit schools, libraries, museums and events all over the world. I can draw absolutely anything from a cartoony crocodile on roller skates to a rhino riding a motorbike! My aim in life is to inspire and encourage children/adults into realising that ANYONE can draw with simple shapes like potatoes, beans and carrots! I love making people laugh and I am a very silly person in general.
What was it that inspired you to become an illustrator?
No one in my family was artistic although they were very encouraging and supportive of my talents throughout my life. As a child, Tony Hart and Rolf Harris both had art programmes on TV and I would sit glued to the screen watching in awe as they created art.
I loved reading books and drawing from my Beano comics and I’d often sit and copy characters from my beloved Disney storybook. I loved watching Jackanory where the narrator would read the book and the artwork would be on the screen and I was always listening to my story records imagining the pictures in my head. I loved going to my library and getting free books out which always inspired me to draw.
As I got older, just looking at other people’s picture books inspires me and I admire the talents of many artists and authors-too many to name!
Describe your art style in only 3 words, and please share an example.
Humourous, colourful and animal-ly! ( I was going to write animal-based but that’s more than four words!)
What are some of your favourite subjects to draw?
ANIMALS!!! Animals of all shapes and sizes, in clothes or wild, realistic or cartoony. ALL DAY LONG!!!
Who are your favourite illustrators?
Chris Riddell, Quentin Blake, John Fardell, Simon Bartrum, Raymond Briggs, Colin McNaughton, Emma Chichester Clark, Posy Simmonds, Tony Ross, Chris Mould and too many other modern illustrators to mention! All inspiring, all mega talented and all amazing at what they do.
Is there anything you’re currently working on that people should look out for?
I’ve always got loads of jobs on the go and most of them are local projects that don’t go into book shops. I’m currently working on some animal characters for a children’s music company, a book about Covid and a book about the Railway to name a few! I’m also Zooming about four times a day and producing drawing videos for companies. I’ve also got a few school murals in the pipeline too.
What’s the weirdest brief you’ve ever been given?
Weirder than my sausage book?! A golf course….my friend’s dad asked me to paint a huge map of his golf course in watercolours for his golf club. I didn’t have an aerial photograph of the area so he walked me around it TWICE! I don’t like working in watercolours in large amounts and I was only 24 years old. People assume you are good at drawing everything which isn’t usually the case. Got paid £50 though haha I had a strange man ask me if I’d go to his house and draw his puppets…errr no thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to be interviewed on Stoomio, any last tips for up and coming illustrators?
Believe in yourself and your dreams, whatever they might be and no matter how foolish they sound to others. Work hard and be determined. Don’t give up when it gets tough and keep on trying. Practise, practise, practise!
Remember that everyone’s brains work differently and be patient with your brain when it’s trying something new like drawing a slug in a parachute! Brains are funny but amazing things!!
Ooo and I have to ask… What is your favourite biscuit?
BOURBON CREAM EVERY TIME!!!!! Although I try not to eat them (although I’m addicted to mini white Twix’s currently and everything Hariboooo!! oink oink)
Thanks Liz! Your artwork clearly matches your vibrant and fun personality 🙂
If you would like to find out more about Liz Million and her work you can check out www.lizmillion.com or follow on Twitter @liz_million
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