Northern Highlight - Anna Doherty

October 19, 2020

NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT

ANNA DOHERTY

1. Why did you become an illustrator?

When I was growing up, I loved drawing imaginary tree houses and adventures, scenes from books I read or things around me in the house. Plus I read a lot when I was a kid so I think it was just a natural process! I came into children’s books from the illustration side. I went to art school without really deciding what I wanted to specialise in but once I realised children’s books could be a career, I was set on it.

2. Tell us about where you live.

I live in Edinburgh in an old converted factory. We have skylights in two rooms so it sounds really cosy when it rains. It’s near the sea and I can’t imagine not living near the sea. I grew up in Edinburgh then moved to study Illustration in Dundee and Children’s Book Illustration in Cambridge. I love places that have old buildings and water.

3. Where do you work?

I have a little studio in the spare bedroom in our flat. I have a desk, a laptop, and a gazillion children’s books.

Sticky published by Scholastic UK

4. What for you is the ’spirit of the Scotland’?

I think nature, colours, and a sense of community and loyalty.

5. Has this spirit influenced your work?

I think definitely in my colour scheme. I tend to work more in greyscale or with a limited palette - never anything super bright - perhaps due to being surrounded our dreich grey weather, grey sea and grey stone buildings.

Published by Hachette Children's Group

6. Who for you are the great Scottish writers or illustrators?

Growing up, I loved Aileen Patterson and Mairi Hedderwick because it was so exciting to see Scotland portrayed in a children’s book and it made me feel more connected to the place. I loved Debi Gliori too – I remember seeing her multiple times at the Edinburgh Book Festival.

7. If you could be transported to anywhere in the Scotland right now, where would it be?

Crinan in Argyll. We used to go there all the time when we were growing up and it’s so lovely. There’s the sea, a canal, the woods and a whole bunch of nature.

8. What would you like to see from children’s publishing in Scotland?

It would be amazing to see smaller publishers grow, and to have some of the big publishing names branch out to have locations and offices up here. To establish a strong and enviable community of those involved in children’s books.

9. What’s your favourite children’s book set in the North?

I can’t choose a single one but I think I’d have to say Beatrix Potter’s books. They were a huge influence for me from an early age. We went on holiday to the Lake District a lot and you could literally walk around inside Beatrix's illustrations. I also loved that her books were so small and child-sized.

When I first went to the Brontë Parsonage, after my book The Brontës was published, it was the same feeling – being inside your own drawing. So exciting.