Though Gemma Correll’s illustrations may look like they’re only meant for children, read the text and you’ll soon realize that they’re actually meant for adults. Her somewhat acerbic sense of humor is felt in every piece and the way she brings to life animals like dogs, cats and dinosaurs will make you giggle with glee.
Gemma uses pens for drawing and then scans her images into Photoshop to adjust the color levels.
Love how she makes being an outcast surprisingly cool.
Update: We got in touch with the talented illustrator after writing this post. Read that interview below.
How do you come up with your hilarious illustrations? What is your creative process like?
Most of my work starts off in a sketchbook. I use the term loosely, because often it’s just on scraps of paper, or the back of a notepad, or scribbled on a receipt. I enjoy the process of coming up with ideas. Some of my drawings don’t progress beyond the sketchbook. Sometimes that drawing is the final illustration, sometimes it will lead onto something else, sometimes it will go nowhere…
I find inspiration everywhere I go – it’s in the people I encounter, the animals I meet and the songs I listen to. There’s humor everywhere if you’re looking for it.
What do you like most about being an illustrator?
I love that it’s not a 9-5 job. I can work the hours I want to, more or less (although this can be a bad thing too – I’ll end up working until 2am some nights. I will admit to being a night owl though – I actually work best in the evenings). I can sit at my desk and drink coffee with my pug on my lap and draw. I get to draw for my job. Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I am.
What do you find most challenging?
It’s not the most stable of jobs. I actually don’t mind all that much, I’m quite easy going with that kind of stuff…. but you don’t become an illustrator if you want 9-5 hours, weekends off and a regular paycheck. You become an illustrator if you want to wear your pajamas all day and eat a lot of snack food.
How did you training in art school help you in your professional career?
I wouldn’t have become an Illustrator if I hadn’t gone to art school. I only decided to go and study design at the very last minute, after being persuaded by a college tutor. I was all ready to go to a “real” university and become a teacher or a sociologist … something sensible. I’m so glad I made that decision though – now I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What advice would you give to artists or illustrators just starting out?
Be prepared to work hard. It’s taken me almost five years of financial hardship, crappy part-time jobs and extremely hard work to get to where I am now. It doesn’t happen overnight, so don’t give up too quickly!
Thanks for the interview, Gemma. Love your humor!