David Kirk’s children’s book career began when his hand-made toys were discovered by a book packager! In 1994 his first book, Miss Spider’s Tea Party, was published. It’sfilled with Kirk’s characteristic brilliant colors, dynamic compositions and infinite details. Miss Spider went on to become not only a beloved series of books, but also a television series on Nick Jr., a CD-ROM game, not to mention countless toys and products. Kirk has created numerous other equally delightful picture books, such as the Nova the Robot series. The Girllustrators are honored that he took the time to answer our technology questions!
What percentage of your illustration process relies on technology? These days, I’m mostly using very old art techniques. Only in preparation do I use any modern technology. Even that’s fairly peripheral. I use Photoshop to enlarge drawings to a correct size and sometimes manipulate sizes of elements within a picture. I suppose another use of technology is finding pictures on the Internet. When I need to look at animals or flowers or any sort of image, I love to use Google image search for reference. I used to have to go to the library and spend lots of money on overdue books I would use for the pictures.
What applications do you use? Photoshop, Google.
What digital tool would you never want to do without? Again, when I make a painted book, I could live without any of the gadgets, but Photoshop is very helpful to move the design process forward.
What is your favorite aspect of using technology in illustration? I love being able to scan work and show it to people who need to see it immediately. I like not having to rely on Fedex or the mail.
What projects in the children’s market are you currently working on and how do you plan to incorporate technology? I’m currently working on a variety of painted children’s books in the style of my earlier painted work - Miss Spider’s Tea Party, for instance. I’m using only the technology I listed above. I could mention a few other things - I used lots of technology in books relating to the Miss Spider TV show on Nick. All that was Maya and assorted other 3D rendering programs. A lot of other new technology is being used on iPad apps relating to Miss Spider. That stuff is based on my books and stories from the TV show. It’s all technology, but there are other people using it and it’s not really my department!
Learn more about David Kirk’s books here.
