Meet Illustrator Liz King
Illustrator and textile print designer Liz King creates bold, energetic artwork using coloured paper, vintage materials, pencil and neon tape. After graduating from Kingston University, she went on to design and sell work in the UK and internationally, developing a distinctive style filled with colour, pattern and almost continuous line drawing.
In this interview, originally published in 2016, Liz talks about her creative process, the everyday places that inspire her, balancing her work with family life and how a spontaneous series of animal drawings grew into her Animal Alphabet collection.
Read on to find out more about her life and her work...
Where do you live and what do you like about it?
I live with my partner, James, in Lewisham with our little daughter, Mabel, who was 22 months old at the time. It’s great because we can walk to Blackheath, Hither Green and Greenwich very easily—there are lots of green parks and swings!
Tell us a little bit about your home and your interiors tastes?
Favourite place to buy clothes?
I love COS, but in my dream world I would shop at Meet Bernard in Greenwich. As well as being a gorgeous local shop, it stocks all my favourite labels, including YMC, Sessùn and Libertine-Libertine.
Dream holiday destination?
New York! Or Copenhagen!
What are you listening to?
I’m listening to Gaz Coombes’s album Matador. On a rare night out, I went to see him play at the Roundhouse—just like my pre-baby days!
Who are your illustrations for?
Everyone, but especially children. They make ideal gifts for new babies and toddlers, and with an animal for every letter there is something for nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, friends and partners too!
Talk us through the process of creating a finished piece?
First, the setting needs to be just right—toddler-free time is essential! I make a nice coffee and lay out all my equipment: neon tape, masking tape, a 4B pencil, my HAY pencil sharpener and a stack of vintage and coloured paper. Once I have decided what I am going to draw, I also arrange my inspiration, which might include images from Pinterest, an old book or my own photographs.
I begin by cutting shapes from the papers and sticking them down to create blocks of colour. I then layer on masking tape, which can disguise mistakes or add subtle shades, before drawing quickly with my pencil. I try to keep the pencil on the paper as much as possible because it helps my drawings remain fluid and energetic. Finally, I add the neon tape.
I work quickly and spontaneously. Sometimes I need to make several drawings before one feels right; other times it works perfectly on the first attempt. I love becoming completely absorbed in the process, and when that happens I can produce several pieces at a time.
Where do you get your inspiration and has it changed over the years?
Inspiration can come from anywhere. It might be a library book I happen to discover, a tree in Greenwich Park or a visit to a museum or gallery. Pinterest has opened up even more sources of inspiration; many designers and creatives use it, and I do not think a day goes by without me looking at it.
My Animal Alphabet began almost by accident. I felt the urge to draw something and chose a giraffe because I wanted an animal with an interesting pattern. That worked well, so I drew a flamingo and then a zebra. It grew from there, and after about the sixth animal I realised I could turn the drawings into an entire alphabet.
What are you most proud of?
My family.....my amazing creative family x
Have you set any goals for this year?
I have some ideas for new work...and I'd love to be involved in some local markets.
Thank you to Liz for sharing such an honest insight into her creative process, family life and the unexpected beginnings of her Animal Alphabet. Images courtesy of Liz King.
