| Interview with Geoff
Taylor |
Geoff Taylor
was born in Lancaster, England in 1946 and was educated at Eckington
Westfield School in Sheffield. After leaving School Geoff attended
Chesterfield College of Art where he completed a three year
course in graphic design.
After spending five years working in the advertising business
Geoff turned his hand to illustration work which included book
cover art. |
|
Among his
many assignments Geoff has illustrated covers for many children's
books which include authors Nina Bawden and Rosemary Sutcliffe.
Also in his time has done covers for some of the top children's
classic stories - Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe, Huckleberry Finn.
More recently the covers for Marcus Sedgwick, Kevin Crossley-Holland
and the illustrations plus covers for the Cliff McNish books.
Geoff also did the illustrations for Michelle Paver's book Wolf
Brother. For some reason Geoff is not credited for the artwork
on the first edition but this was rectified on the second printing. |
| The Wee
Web talk to Geoff Taylor - 8
October 2004 |
Robert
You did the text illustrations for Michelle Paver's Wolf Brother
- can you tell me if you will be illustrating any of her other
books that are planned in this series?
Geoff
I wait for publishers to contact me to make a commission.
Robert
Can you tell me a bit about the materials and process you use
when illustrating or painting?
Geoff
I paint mainly in acrylics on artboard - mostly brushwork, but
whenever I need to do large areas of colour I use an airbrush.
I used gouache some years ago. It’s very easy to use and
it’s brilliant for detail but it is powdery and therefore
the colour is very easily scratched. So I switched to acrylics
which I tend to use like gouache instead of oils. I love all
that thick impasto stuff. But I’ve never been able to
work that way, mostly it’s just the traditional paintbrush
techniques - three brushes, big, medium and small. when asked
to do some black and white it’s indian ink, pilot fine
line pen, even felt tip. I’ve resisted the digital stuff
because truthfully I’ve never had the time to learn.
Robert
When commissioned to do illustrations for book covers do you
have complete control over the imagery or are you given guidelines
by the author or publisher?
Geoff
Mostly I work to a brief given by the publisher - sometimes
I am given a manuscript and asked to submit ideas and then they
make a decision as to what they want.
Robert
You worked on Jeff Wayne's "The War of the Worlds"
bestselling album - can you tell me how you managed to get involved
in this project?
Geoff
I was commissioned - the agent I was with at the time.
Robert
You are obviously well-known for your fantasy artwork - is the
world of fantasy something you have always enjoyed exploring
and reading about?
Geoff
Not half!!!
Robert
What are your passions in life besides your artwork?
Geoff
Photographing the roe deer around where I live, painting wolves
(sorry but painting is also a passion!) walking with my dog,
Jane, a terrier/collie cross while exploring the countryside
and observing the wildlife around here. Also I do the gardening.
Robert
What work of your own are you most proud of?
Geoff
I have still to paint it!
Robert
Can you tell me the artists and illustrators you most admire?
Geoff
There`s got to be hundreds. I suppose you require a list of
sorts - William Blake, Palmer, Casper David Freidrichs, Gustave
Moreau, Karoly Ferenczy, Eaun Uglow, Gustave Dore, Andrew Wyeth,
many more too numerous to mention and the list grows by the
day.
Robert
As a child did you read a lot and if so what books do you remember
enjoying the most?
Geoff
What I remember most was the pictures and not an enjoyable experience
in one instance. When I was very young I must have been aware
of narrative illustration, in one fairy tale book I can remember
in particular an illustration that was so disturbing I always
had to try and avoid that particular part of the book. It had
the quality of a recurring nightmare. But I loved reading it!
Robert
When you are painting do you find that you have some rituals
or habits that help you work better?
Geoff
I listen to music all sorts from all corners of the world -
I particularly like listening to Andy Kershaw's world music
programme on the radio and often listen to Radio 4 for plays,
book reviews etc.
Robert
What is the longest time you have spent on a single piece of
artwork?
Geoff
I never reckon up the hours - it's a waste of precious time!
Robert
Can you tell me about any projects or exhibitions you have planned
for the future?
Geoff
"Landscapes and Legends" a small
exhibition with three other local artists at The Wolf House
Gallery, Silverdale, Lancashire 23rd October - November 14th
2004
and next year -
"Wolves, Princesses and Dragons" A major exhibition
at Barrow Docklands Museum and Art Gallery North Road, Barrow-in-Furness
- 12th August -16th October 2005 with over 50 paintings on
show from the three art genres I find myself working in, that
is, Wildlife Art, Fantasy Art and "Games Workshop"
illustration, hence the title, with most of them for sale.
At both of these I will be showing some of the Wolf Brother
pen drawing originals - the wolf cub ones.
Robert
What advice can you offer to young artists that wish to make
cover illustration their profession?
Geoff
The demands in illustration have changed in recent years with
the onset of digital art and animation - I think an illustrator
must possess skills that involve both traditional and modern
techniques.
Robert
And lastly Geoff, if you were asked to illustrate the world
in it's present state would it be a happy, colourful painting?
Geoff
I wouldn't take the commission.
The Wee Web would like
to thank Geoff Taylor for taking the time
to answer our questions!
For more information on Geoff Taylor and his art
please visit his official website:
http://www.geofftaylor.btinternet.co.uk/
|
|
|
