Scrapbook Notebook Series Scrapbook #3 | Page 64

interview with an illustrator Philip Bannister the traditional illustrator on drawing and painting in his gard en shed studio in rural Worcester shire . . u SB What drew you to illustration? Philip: As a boy at junior school I used to draw intricate battle scenes; pike, musket and smoke. Mr. Watmough said I could be a commercial artist. I didn’t know such things could be. u SB Do you have any formal design training? Philip: A three year graphics course at Batley College of Art & Design. u SB Where do you live now and what drew you there? Philip: In Worcestershire between Pershore and Evesham by Bredon Hill. We have no street lights and on a clear night those constellations can give you a real fright. u SB Describe your studio. Philip: At the bottom of the garden, a lovely ‘shed’ 12ft square the last time I measured it. Radio 3 is on. u SB How do you get your ideas? Philip: Depends on the job of course but I have a deep well of magic and romance to draw on. u SB Do you collect anything? Philip: Books mainly, history, arts, esoteric things. I have an almost complete collection of Thorne Smith novels. Also vintage packaging and LPs. Italian masks but nothing too fancy. u SB Do you keep a scrapbook? Philip: I used to tear pages out of nonexpensive magazines for picture referencewhich full of desperately 174