Robin Dimond

Can you describe your type of art?

I try to make the things I draw emotionally evocative in some way, either with humour, or by trying to be sympathetic to the characters. 

I like to be expressive. 

When did you first discover you wanted to be an illustrator?

For me it was a very gradual realisation.

I first became aware that drawing was a thing I could do when I was around 7, and had recently moved to a new school. My classmates seemed to like the things I drew, so I used it as a way to make friends.

I basically continued to do this into my twenties. Mostly drawing for the amusement of myself, and my friends.

I’ve had a huge amount of support from my family and friends, many of whom have encouraged me to pursue illustration. I was very hesitant to the idea for a long time, lacking in confidence. But, when offered the opportunity to illustrate for Lucy Baker’s stories, I felt it was too good an opportunity not to accept.

I’m very glad I did.

Do you have a favourite medium or subject matter?

Characters; animals, monsters, people… the more varied the better!

What is your favourite song?

Difficult question!

I listen to a lot of orchestral music soundtracks from films and video games, especially when I’m working.

Almost anything by Joe Hisaishi is phenomenal: the Spirited Away soundtrack in particular gets to me. But if pushed I’d probably go with Clair de Lune by Debussy.

Do you have a favourite book?

I really love the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman, and I consider myself a big Harry Potter fan.

When it comes to children’s books, I really like Not Now, Bernard’ by David McKee, and Bad Jelly The Witch by Spike Milligan, both of which I found equally terrifying and hilarious as a child.

I also really loved The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley, which I discovered when I found the illustrated version drawn by William Heath Robinson, my great granddad.