Hello! My name is Lucy Tapper. I am a British author and illustrator and the creator of the children’s book ‘Hedgehugs’.
Hedgehugs is now 10 years old! When I started out I had no idea what I was doing! It has taken me all these years to perfect my process. I thought it might be helpful to share what I have learned, and to give you a sneak peak of the brand new, hugely improved ‘Hedgehugs!’
So here is step one, how it all began…
How It All Began
All of my stories start with a spark of an idea. With Hedgehugs it was the title first, Hedgehugs, then the rest followed. How would two spiky little hedgehogs hug? Immediately I pictured Horace and Hattie, the best friends who needed to find a way. I wrote the story with my husband Steve, and we had the same problem as Horace and Hattie, how would they hug? It was a moment of magic when I was doing the laundry and pondering out loud about where the missing socks end up. Steve and I looked at each other and we knew we had the answer!
When I am working on a book, I approach it from an illustrator’s perspective, I am always thinking of pace and how much of the story can be told by pictures. Always remember, when writing a children’s book, the challenge is to tell a full story in the fewest possible words, this is why the illustration is SO important! Then it is over to Pinterest for inspiration, and the initial scribbly little character designs!
Thumbnails
For me, this is the MOST IMPORTANT stage in a book’s creation. This is when I work out the whole layout of the story. All 32 pages of it! The drawings will be little scribbly sketches, and may not look too impressive, but this is where I do all of the thinking. I figure out the flow, which spreads will be full-bleed spreads, full-bleed pages, vignettes, and pages with spot art. This is when I ensure that the book is balanced, well-paced, professional and a true page-turner! I also work out where the text will go, I cannot emphasise how important this is, it is something that so many illustrators do as an afterthought.
Character Development
Using the thumbnails, I will draw all of the characters from every page in the book. Here are Horace and Hattie in sketch form!
Sketches are essential in creating characters, how will they move? What do they look like from different angles?
I like to work with a 2B pencil as this allows me to be free. I am not aiming for a ‘clean’ finished image, this is the time I create energy and really ‘get to know’ my characters . If you are working with an illustrator, it’s always a good idea to ask to see their sketch work.
Colour & Style
Every artist has their own unique style, I always think the best work is when you can look at it and know exactly who created it! All of my illustrations are initially hand drawn in pencil and then I do all my colourwork on my iPad using Procreate. I am very consistent with every illustration, using the same colour palette and the same brushes (my favourites are: dry ink, Salamanca and 6B pencil for those who are interested!)
When working with an illustrator ask to see their portfolio and check for a consistent style, and pick someone whose work you truly connect with.
Background
Once the characters are complete, they need a world to live in! This takes time but is really exciting. I love creating a world for Horace and Hattie, I like to include seasons, weather, plants and trees and I love to add little extras, like birds and insects.
Some backgrounds are full colour and some include the white of the page. Both are important as they add pace and interest to the book.
Cover Design
The cover is always the last piece of the puzzle. It is EXTREMELY important and needs to be perfect. I always do the cover last, after completing all the inner pages, this is because I am fully absorbed in the world of my characters and I can ensure that the cover feels like the rest of the book.
The title needs to be clear, to be seen easily online.
I wanted the new version of Hedgehugs to have the same gentle feeling as the old version, but with some additional hints to the story within.
On the new version Horace and Hattie’s shadow forms a heart, representing their love for each other. They are both looking up at the dandelion seeds, representing their wish… to hug.