Julie Leonard Go back
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I moved to Broadstairs from South East London over 20 years ago. I have loved living here ever since.
One of my most thrilling moments as an artist was becoming the winner of the Kent Adult Education Watercolour Challenge 2006 - a watercolour paint-off with over 300 entries.
I briefly attended Christ Church University, Canterbury as a part-time mature student studying Fine and Contemporary Art and then completed an illustration course with the London College of Art passing with distinction.
I am a member of the Society of Authors (SOA) and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBW).
I have escaped into sketching, drawing and painting since I was a young child. As a keen author/illustrator, I have an idea for a picture book. Writing the story first, I then draw up a 'dummy' to help place text and images. Sketching in pencil first and then working up the rough drawings into watercolour spreads. Adding a little colour pencil and pastel here and there adds finishing touches and definition. My watercolours sing out from the page with vibrant clarity.
It usually takes a few months for a new story to emerge and can take up to a year to illustrate and design all the pages for my picture books. There is nothing I enjoy more than this process. Putting the first mark on a fresh page fills me with excitement. Watching the story come to life under my brush and knowing that children will enjoy reading about William the cheeky caterpillar makes me very happy. I am in my dream job.
One of my most thrilling moments as an artist was becoming the winner of the Kent Adult Education Watercolour Challenge 2006 - a watercolour paint-off with over 300 entries.
I briefly attended Christ Church University, Canterbury as a part-time mature student studying Fine and Contemporary Art and then completed an illustration course with the London College of Art passing with distinction.
I am a member of the Society of Authors (SOA) and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBW).
I have escaped into sketching, drawing and painting since I was a young child. As a keen author/illustrator, I have an idea for a picture book. Writing the story first, I then draw up a 'dummy' to help place text and images. Sketching in pencil first and then working up the rough drawings into watercolour spreads. Adding a little colour pencil and pastel here and there adds finishing touches and definition. My watercolours sing out from the page with vibrant clarity.
It usually takes a few months for a new story to emerge and can take up to a year to illustrate and design all the pages for my picture books. There is nothing I enjoy more than this process. Putting the first mark on a fresh page fills me with excitement. Watching the story come to life under my brush and knowing that children will enjoy reading about William the cheeky caterpillar makes me very happy. I am in my dream job.