I am delighted to welcome illustrator Ruth Waters! Ruth illustrated my picture books written with June Sobel, APPLES, APPLES ALL YEAR ROUND (Apples & Honey Press, 2022) and CHALLAH, CHALLAH, FOR YOU AND ME (Apples & Honey Press, 2024) out this week. June and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Ruth as our illustrator. Her charming animal characters truly complete our stories and we adore her work. I am so happy to learn more about Ruth and her process. Welcome, Ruth!
Can you tell me a bit about how you became an illustrator for children’s books?
My background is marketing in theatre. I did this role for nearly 17 years. It was a creative role – in terms of liaising with designers and photographers – but it was always my dream to be the one actually making the art, with my own hands. In 2012 I had a young child and I decided I wanted to make a picture book just for him. I then moved to Australia and, on a whim, I sent this picture book to a publisher. They wanted to publish it. I couldn’t believe it! This then led to writing and illustrating 5 more picture books. I then returned to the UK and got an agent. I then began working on a variety of books as an illustrator.
For APPLES, APPLES, and now CHALLAH, CHALLAH, how did you come up with the animal characters?
Initially, the publisher wanted me to create human characters – I made some sketches but they then decided it would work better to use animals. I then decided to create four animals, each with their own individual look, size and personality. I love drawing bears and foxes so I knew they had to be in the book.
What is your process like – from initial sketches to completing the art for a page?
I read the text several times and make quick pencil sketches of any ideas that pop into my mind. I then need to consider how these sketches would flow together. For example, I need to make sure a busy double page spread (i.e. lots of animals and detail) is then followed by a quieter spread (one animal and less detail). Once I’ve got this sorted, I work on the rough pencil sketches. It takes a while to get these right. When I’m happy with them, I send them to the publisher for their thoughts. Once I have their feedback, I make the amends. These then get sent back to the publisher. Often we go back and forth for a while until we are both happy with everything. I then work on the final artwork. For this I use paper I have created (using old brushes and rollers to make unique textures) which is scanned into my computer. I then work in a collage style – cutting and sticking the pieces digitally.
Your art is full of delightful details that young readers love. Do you specifically plan the subtext, or is it an organic part of your process?
I like to add extra details to the story when I am sketching at the beginning. They just pop into my head.
What is your favorite part of creating art for children’s books?
I like coming up with the characters. I really enjoy getting to know them! Seeing the actual physical book at the end is always pretty special too.
Thank you, Ruth!
Ruth Waters creates illustrations using collage, decorating the paper by hand using brushes, rollers – even old toothbrushes – to create unique textures. As an author/illustrator she has five published picture books and been shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2019 and 2020, Children’s Book Category. She lives in England.