2025 | Children's Publishing
| Professional
- Why did you create this work?
I have always loved maps, wanted to create a picture book showing that maps didn’t have to be boring but could be used as a sort of non linear narrative that gave the reader time and space to explore for themselves. Love the idea of zooming out each page as a device to move the story forward, and each page would be a map that showed more and more detail. - How were your illustrations used?
My illustrations were used mostly as full double page spread maps. Each turn of the page reveals a more zoomed in map with more and more details to find and enjoy. . With each map I combine diagrammatic “mappish” visual tropes (flat stylised perspective, pattern, simple drawn outline, dotted lines, arrows labels) with more finished characterful artwork to create playful illustrations. - What materials and techniques did you use?
I used black acrylic ink, a dip pen.
I make my own collage papers (out of paint/oil pastel) which I scaffito pattern and texture into.
I collage blocks of colour and shape onto my ink drawings then scan them in and assemble the individual elements into the page composition. - Was this project commissioned?
Commissioned - Commissioner Name
Oxford University Press - Commissioner Company
Oxford University Press - Commissioner Instagram
@oxfordchildrens - Personal Website or Portfolio Link
leighhodgkinson.co.uk/
- Instagram
@leigh_hodgkinson - Biography
An author and illustrator, Leigh was born in Rhodesia and emigrated to the UK when little and grew up in Hampshire.
Studying Graphic Design at the University of Humberside and then specialised in Animation Direction at the National Film and Television School.
Having worked in animation for a while making short film/tv/adverts and then as Art Director for kids TV show “Charlie and Lola”. - Where are you currently based?
United Kingdom (UK)
