The Girllustrators

Christina Wald’s lovely illustrations are created either in acrylic or digitally, or a combination of both (the Thumbelina image below is digital!). She even works with vector images occasionally and designs toys, giftware, and other products. She holds a degree in Industrial Design from the University of Cincinnati. Christina paints fabulously realistic animals and has illustrated over ten books for children including Habitat Spy, Little Red Bat and a Penguin Young Readers version of Black Beauty. She was kind enough to take a break from her busy schedule to answer our Illustrators & Technology questions!

What percentage of your illustration process relies on technology? A lot actually. I scan in all my sketches and compile them in Photoshop. I also print out my sketches on to bristol board to paint over. Saves a LOT of time. I also paint my illustration in pieces and like the sketches, put them together in Photoshop. I still use pencil and acrylic though. I guess I am old fashioned in that way.

What applications do you use? Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Acrobat mostly and a little Painter.

What digital tool would you never want to do without? My Cintiq. I am about to get an ipad, but am dubious about using it for art yet. It cannot use a pen like stylus.

What is your favorite aspect of using technology in illustration? Being able to tweak colors and make changes.

What projects in the children’s market are you currently working on and how do you plan to incorporate technology? I am working on several books (Including Warm Winter Tail for Sylvan Dell and Why the Possum has a Large Grin for Pelican) and some illustrations for toys. I incorporate the digital tech aspect in every level. I do a lot of illustrations in vector for the toy market.