3rd August 2018

Q&A with P.S. Brooks

From an early age, illustrator P.S. Brooks had a deep interest in art and drawing.

Watching cartoons and anime were an influence for him, as was his grandfather Brooks, a painter. He studied Art to degree level and now primarily works digitally. Alongside his illustration work, he has experience of working in the video game world, a venture which is evident in his dreamlike drawings. Based in Yorkshire, P.S. Brooks has worked with publishers across the globe on a variety of illustration projects and had his first young adult fantasy novel published in 2016. His first book for Imagine That, The Family Tree, written by Oakley Graham, was published in November last year. 

1.What inspires you most when drawing?

I think I’m inspired most by nature and dreams when illustrating. I enjoy creating animal and human characters and having them interact in whimsical and sometimes dreamlike ways. I like experimenting with skies and landscapes and look to the natural world and the universe for inspiration. Also I’m inspired by many illustrators, both traditional and digital.

2. If you could describe your illustration style in 3 words, what would they be?

Dreamlike, ethereal, whimsical.

3. What is your earliest memory of reading as a child?

I think it was a book from the children’s early 80’s TV show ‘Moschops’ about a friendly dinosaur.

4. What is your favourite book?

‘The Wolves in the Walls’ by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean – I went to a book signing in Leeds for this in 2003 and talking with Neil is what inspired me to work towards being a children’s book illustrator and writer. I also got the copy signed by Dave McKean in 2013 in London.

5. Where is your favourite place to sit and read?

I read at my computer desk.

6. If you could only choose three items to have beside you as you draw, what would they be?

1/ My computer, or something to play music on as I always illustrate with music on.

2/ My copy of ‘Wolves in the Walls’.

3/ My Sheltie guinea pig as he is great company.