Drawing the Fine Lines

Johanna Basford: I’m an illustrator, and I make coloring books. I don’t like to create on the computer. I do all my drawings by hand, using pencil or ink and paper; I think [my work] has a bit more heart that way.

JB: I always knew that I wanted to be creative, but I didn’t know exactly in which job. I went to art school, and I really enjoyed textile design, drawing, and screen printing. In 2011, I was working as an illustrator drawing book covers and product packaging. I had created a signature style by always hand drawing my illustrations in black and white, and a publisher noticed my work. They asked if I would like to do a coloring book for kids, but I didn’t want to make a typical children’s coloring book. I wanted to create something intricate and detailed so that it would feel like a work of art, and older kids and adults would want to color in it too. The result was the creation of my first coloring book, Secret Garden, in 2013.

JB: Every project starts with a theme. Then I send a few drawings and an explanation of my idea to my publisher. After it’s approved, I wait to see where my imagination takes me. I sit in my studio and draw page after page of ideas. Every page starts in pencil, and then I go over my pencil lines with ink. I quite like that some things might be drawn a little bit wonky, or my lines may come out a bit wobbly. I scan my work into the computer, print it out, and stick it on the wall. Looking at an empty wall feels overwhelming at first, but I eventually find my flow and the wall starts to fill up. By the end of my creative process—which usually takes about three months for one coloring book—the wall is completely plastered with drawings.

JB: I get my best ideas when I’m outside walking. I never get a good idea sitting at my desk, looking at my phone, or staring at a computer. I think your brain needs to switch off a bit to allow ideas to float around in your head. For me, that helps generate a lot of images that I can draw later.

JB: I think a lot of people want to do something creative, but perhaps don’t know where to start. Coloring is perfect because there is no scary blank sheet of paper—the outlines are there. It’s basically a collaboration.

JB: I’m very excited about my brand-new coloring book, Rooms of Wonder. The theme involves an imaginary journey to different enchanted interiors. There’s a wizard’s workshop, an ice cream parlor, and even an origami studio. The book was inspired by ideas shared by my young daughter and her school friends. Each drawing has a secret key and locked door hidden in it, so it feels very magical.

JB: Don’t let negative self-talk get in your way. Practice drawing every day, even if it’s just for 5 or 10 minutes. It’s a bit like riding a bicycle. Things aren’t meant to come out perfect every time.