Illustrator Interview with Anna Abl (Where is Koketso?)
Deep Dive into Nyasha Williams' Creator Interview Series - In this illustrator interview, we learn more about Anna Abl.
1. Tell us about yourself and how you got into illustrating.
I am often described as a calm person, and it has always been easy for me to spend time alone without feeling lonely or bored. Since I was small, I have loved drawing and being creative. Daydreaming and creating fantasy scenes is a big part of my daily life, and I love drawing as a way to capture those thoughts and dreams and visualize them for myself and others.
2. Where are you from and how has that and/or where you have lived influenced your work?
I am from Austria and grew up in a small town surrounded by beautiful nature. There were many mountains, pretty lakes, and, my favorite part, the forests with many animals and a magical atmosphere I could experience during my many evening and morning walks and runs. The surroundings inspired many of my drawings.
3. Do you have a preferred medium to work in?
For a long time, I preferred ink and watercolors, and I still enjoy these materials. Feeling the paper texture and smelling the colors and ink can be relaxing. But I have mostly been drawing digitally on my tablet for the last few years. I can express my ideas more freely and try out many more things. Since I travel a lot and love drawing outdoors and in cafes, it is very convenient to just bring my tablet.
4. What does your workspace look like?
I don't have a designated workspace. I take the tablet with me everywhere, and I draw in cafes and parks during my break on hikes in the mountains or waiting for the public. At my home, I have a little desk in front of the window, where I can look outside and watch what is happening while I need to think about how to continue drawing or what to draw next.
5. How did you get your first book illustration gig? Was it something you were on the hunt for, or did the stars align, so to speak?
The stars just aligned. I have always wanted to illustrate a book but never really knew how to achieve that goal. I just started an Instagram account for my drawings and regularly created posts. That's how Nyasha found me and reached out to me for the book!
6. Can you tell us a little about the process of illustrating a picture book in terms of how an author and an artist come together? Who connected you and Nyasha Williams?
The connection started with Nyasha, who contacted me and told me about her vision and idea of Where is Koketso?. During the process, we mostly communicated via messages and sometimes video calls to discuss how to proceed with the book in detail since we live far apart. After every stage, I sent the drawings to Nyasha to talk with her about what to change and what works well for the illustrations.
7. Talk to us about Where is Koketso?, what drew you to illustrate the book and your favorite part of the illustration process.
Where is Koketso? is a search, seek, and find book, meaning it is packed with details and scenarios. Filling the pages with many things and people was very enjoyable. I love to look at other seek-and-find books and find something different and new every time I look at each drawing.
8. What was your favorite spread from Where is Koketso? And what was the process of creating it?
My favorite spread is the underwater scene. I enjoyed playing with the different blue tones and creating magical stories underwater with many animals and fantasy creatures. I worked on this illustration while on vacation with my parents at the sea in Croatia. So, I could hear and smell the ocean while drawing, which made this illustration very special to me.
9. Did you encounter any unexpected challenges during your first children's book illustration experience?
The biggest challenge for me was time management. During the time I was creating the book, a lot happened in my private life. I was writing my master's thesis and also graduated from university. At the final phase of the book, I moved to Japan and was very busy adjusting to my new surroundings and workplace. It was very challenging during those times to organize my things and stick to the illustrations' deadlines.
10. What are your hopes and dreams as an illustrator for Where is Koketso?
A crucial part of the book Where is Koketso is to represent and show diversity. I appreciated that I could help Nyasha with her vision of creating literature and art to support and empower an inclusive society. Especially from my point of view from a white background, I see it as very important to show diversity to children from early on and to make them aware that a wide variety of people exists and that each and everyone is equal and has the same value.
11. As an artist, who is your favorite artist, and what is your favorite book? Who inspires you?
My favorite artist is Jim Kay. The first illustrated books I read from him were the illustrated Harry Potter books. I fell in love with his very detailed and magical illustrations. But my favorite book he illustrated is A Monster Calls. His use of different textures and how he creates a very special atmosphere with only black really fascinates me.
12. How would you describe your illustration style?
My illustration style has drastically changed in the last few months. But when creating Where is Koketso?, I would describe my style as very colorful and whimsical, a bit abstract but still full of details.
13. Where would you go if you could live anywhere for a season?
For that, I already chose to stay for a year in Japan, and I would choose Japan again. It has a huge number of magical places to discover, and it really helped me grow in my creativity.
14. What's your go-to snack or drink to keep the creative juices flowing?
I drink a lot of coffee. Sipping on my coffee while drawing just helps me relax and concentrate on one thing. As a go-to snack, I would say an oat bar since they are very easy to eat while drawing.
15. What other objects are you working on now?
After Where is Koketso?, I focused a lot on my personal growth and developing my art style. Now that I have found my style again, I want to focus on bringing my illustrations out to the public by posting regularly and seeing if I find the next opportunity for another project.
16. What do the words "creative block "mean to you? How do you work through the issues of getting stuck when working on an illustration?
During Where is Koketso?, I experienced art blocks now and then, especially when time pressure was around. I couldn't imagine how to fill the pages with scenarios. Mostly, a short break of one or two days helped, as I went outside and visited places. While observing the surroundings, I often got new ideas for the illustrations.
17. What software do you use in your work?
I only use the program Procreate on my iPad for most of my drawings.
18. What advice would you give someone wanting to do what you do?
Draw a lot and regularly, and your style will develop by itself. Your creativity and skill to express your will vision improve. Additionally, there is almost no way around social media nowadays. Posting regularly on social platforms to bring your art outside is very, very helpful. Most of the project opportunities I got happened during my most active time on Instagram.
19. Where can we find/follow you and your work?
You can find my work and follow the development of my art style on my Instagram account @annaas.welt
