Buddy Scheme 2022-2023

Emma is a freelance illustrator with a background in science and healthcare. Born in Barcelona, she is currently based in Glasgow. During the Picture Hooks Buddy Scheme, she worked with Ross Collins on improving her composition skills. 

“As a self-taught artist, the Buddy Scheme was the perfect environment for me to learn about the children’s book illustration industry. Ross was very generous in sharing his working process, providing feedback, and answering all my questions. Together we worked on character development and in the relationship between words and images, exploring subjects that were new to me such as drawing animal characters. In addition, Vivian and Lucy have been fantastic and very supportive through the scheme, and I will forever be thankful for such an amazing opportunity for my career”.

Holly Fearon is a 25 year old illustrator and designer from Liverpool. During her time on the Picture Hooks Buddy Scheme Holly worked with Maisie Paradise Shearring to develop her landscape drawing, character design and layout skills with a focus on creating a series of prints.

“The Picture Hooks Buddy Scheme helped me with the development of narrative through images and pushed my character design skills forward. I was able to explore colour, material and layout through the help of Maisie. Alongside this it motivated me to keep drawing alongside my full time work, and has reignited a love for drawing in my personal time.”

Bo Klos is a painter and illustrator based in West Yorkshire. She is inspired by silly pets, awkward humans and beautiful nature. She was paired on the scheme with Chris Mould, along with Catherine Fortey.

“The Buddy Scheme with Chris as mentor and my fellow artist Cat was brilliant! Insightful chats in a friendly atmosphere helped me with building confidence in my work and finding out about different opportunities there are for illustrators. It was very interesting to hear about Chris’ experience working with publishers, art directors and editors. It was invaluable to have instant feedback about my illustrations both from Chris and Cat. Thank you Picture Hooks for giving me this amazing opportunity to develop my illustration skills and widen the circle of fellow local creatives that I know now!”

Mary is a London based illustrator with an interest and fascination for woodland creatures and scenes. Having lived in Canada for a number of years, she uses the environments around her as an inspiration for her work. Mary worked with Daniela Terrazzini on the Buddy Scheme.

“Backgrounds and atmosphere have been a particular focus point for my work with Daniela, especially as her work creates incredible atmosphere with use of light and shade, and textures to create depth. She has really helped me bring more life to my images.
The scheme has been really useful to have someone to turn to for honest feedback and talk through ideas about the work. Daniela has been so warm and welcoming to me, and really generous sharing her knowledge and processes, whilst helping me develop my own process and way of working. I have loved working with her.”