Nick Harris - Designer
I'm a children's book illustrator whose work revolves around figurative characters. Genres include Fantasy, historical, adventure and fun.
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Overview
I'm a full time children's book illustrator who has been beavering away quite a long time, working as a freelancer. The plan is to write and publish my own tales over time. Still happy to work with others' words while I build to that.
It's a career I've been pursuing for over thirty years now. I began life as a real media watercolourist primarily, although there were diversions into acrylic and oils, and quite a lot of b/w ink work. I started making the move to digital around the year 2000 due to industry pressures and have been worked totally that way for over fifteen years now.
Projects have ranged from historical scenes, through children's classics to fantasy puzzle books. I was fortunate enough to work with Philip Pullman on the first edition of Firework-Maker's Daughter (1995), for which we both won a Smarties book prize. I also got to work with one of my childhood heroes, Richard Williams, the internationally acclaimed animator. As well as some advertising projects, he brought me on board as part of the background team who worked on the fully animated intro section for the 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit? ' movie (1988). If that all sounds like ancient history, be assured that in the intervening years I've been working on a variety of projects, which include Dragon Quest and Star Quest for Usborne (best described as fantasy world versions of Where's Wally, in a different style) and two titles in the Templar 'Ology' series. Those titles being 'Egyptology' and 'Mythology'. More recently I worked on 'Where's the Knight' and 'Where's the Fairy' (Sterling Children's Books), not to mention a Fairy Bible for Octopus Books.
My work tends to revolve around figure drawing and characters. Narrative is the driving force for me though and I try to create atmosphere and dynamic tension of some sort in most of my art. That's what interests me ultimately. My style probably doesn't lend itself to the very young reader. It's quirky rather than silly, or so I have been told. If you are seeking something that walks a line between drama and humour, somewhere between realism and caricature, then maybe your words and my images might make the perfect marriage. My goal is to enhance your words. In the perfect world, perhaps even take us somewhere new that neither of us would have reached alone? A whole greater than the sum of its parts.
If any of that appeals to you do please feel you can approach me on here to discuss the possibility of working together. I don't bite. Who knows where that conversation might take us . . . . . ?
It's a career I've been pursuing for over thirty years now. I began life as a real media watercolourist primarily, although there were diversions into acrylic and oils, and quite a lot of b/w ink work. I started making the move to digital around the year 2000 due to industry pressures and have been worked totally that way for over fifteen years now.
Projects have ranged from historical scenes, through children's classics to fantasy puzzle books. I was fortunate enough to work with Philip Pullman on the first edition of Firework-Maker's Daughter (1995), for which we both won a Smarties book prize. I also got to work with one of my childhood heroes, Richard Williams, the internationally acclaimed animator. As well as some advertising projects, he brought me on board as part of the background team who worked on the fully animated intro section for the 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit? ' movie (1988). If that all sounds like ancient history, be assured that in the intervening years I've been working on a variety of projects, which include Dragon Quest and Star Quest for Usborne (best described as fantasy world versions of Where's Wally, in a different style) and two titles in the Templar 'Ology' series. Those titles being 'Egyptology' and 'Mythology'. More recently I worked on 'Where's the Knight' and 'Where's the Fairy' (Sterling Children's Books), not to mention a Fairy Bible for Octopus Books.
My work tends to revolve around figure drawing and characters. Narrative is the driving force for me though and I try to create atmosphere and dynamic tension of some sort in most of my art. That's what interests me ultimately. My style probably doesn't lend itself to the very young reader. It's quirky rather than silly, or so I have been told. If you are seeking something that walks a line between drama and humour, somewhere between realism and caricature, then maybe your words and my images might make the perfect marriage. My goal is to enhance your words. In the perfect world, perhaps even take us somewhere new that neither of us would have reached alone? A whole greater than the sum of its parts.
If any of that appeals to you do please feel you can approach me on here to discuss the possibility of working together. I don't bite. Who knows where that conversation might take us . . . . . ?
Services
Languages
English
Fiction
Action & Adventure
Classics
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Horror
Humor & Comedy
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Certifications
- HND honours in illustration from Harrow College Faculty of Art and Design - 1982
Awards
- Smarties Book Prize
Work experience
Freelance Children's Book Illustrator
Self-employed
July, 1982
–
Present
(about 38 years)
I've worked as a freelance illustrator for more than thirty years with publishers here in the UK, and with others in other parts of the world. Projects have ranged from classics like Wind in the Willows and the Arthurian Legends, through mythological and historical subjects for more educational needs and through to award winning books like Firework Maker's Daughter (Philip Pullman), and complicated puzzle books like Usborne's Dragon Quest (Andy Dixon).
Portfolio (15 selected works)
Where's the Fairy?
Keith Moseley
""Molly's grandma was very different from other grandmas. Whenever Molly visited, Grandma whisked her off on an amazing adventure." """For the first time, our incredibly popular "Where's the...?" series gets a girl-power twist with an all-female cast. Molly, Grandma, and the ever-faithful dog, Pebbles, go on an epic voyage to find fairies. But where are the magical creatures hiding? Only Pebbl... read more
The Firework-Maker's Daughter
Philip Pullman
The Wind in the Willows (Children's Clasics)
Kenneth Grahame
Mythology (Ology Series)
Dugald A. Steer, Illustrated by Nick Harris, David Wyatt and Nicki Palin
Study ancient Greek mythology with this interactive book that is filled with panels, pouches and fold out sections to open and explore. Read about all aspects of Greece's mythical stories, from the creation of the gods to the great Trojan horse ploy. The tales will fascinate children of all ages and educate them in Greek myths and legends.
When evil Winston the wig-wearing Wizard casts a spell to make everyone's hair fall out something must be done. Three intrepid explorers set off on a quest for the source of Winston's powers, deep inside the dragon's lair.
Discovering Vikings (+helmet) (Discovering History)
Richard Platt
Red Kite Books' "Discovering" series offers a refreshing take on history: 32-page non-fiction books with a rhyming fictional story line along the bottom of each spread. Children learn from the informative main text and then engage with the subject through the story line, the spectacular illustrations and - in trade editions - the free flag or other component. In "Discovering Vikings", we go on... read more
Gulliver's Travels (Ladybird Classics)
Jonathan Swift
Star Quest (Usborne Fantasy Puzzle Books)
Andy Dixon
Where's the Knight?
Nick Harris
Where's the Knight? Do knights in shining armor still exist? Grandfather, George, and Meg the dog are on the hunt to find out. Even though the three manage to wander through a spooky old castle without seeing a single medieval warrior, sharp-eyed kids will see them everywhere. Over 100 knights are leaning out of the slit windows, hiding behind drawbridges, and even jousting! Little hands will ... read more
The Dragon's Apprentice (Dragonology Chronicles)
Dugald Steer, Douglas Carrel
The Dragon's Prophecy (Dragonology Chronicles)
Dugald Steer
When the annual frost-dragon migration fails to happen, Dr. Drake and his apprentices Daniel and Beatrice realise something sinister is afoot - could dark dragonologist Alexandra Goryntchka be up to no good again? The trio head to the Lost Isle of Dragons, where they face grave danger to stop their enemy finding the Hammer of the Dragons: a legendary weapon deadly to all dragons. When they lea... read more
The Shadow Dragon (Dragon Knights)
J. M. Masters
Shadow Dragon
The Flame Dragon (Dragon Knights)
J. M. Masters
Flame Dragon
Welcome to Bug World: The Most Exciting Theme Park Ever!
Andy Dixon, Andrew Dixon
Nick has 8 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Nick is really, really good at what he does and great to work with, you can’t ask for more than that!
Greg Sollie, June 2020
I am constantly amazed by this guy! Couldn’t ask for more. Beyond talented!!!
Greg Sollie, May 2020
Nick is an amazing talent and quick study when it comes to bringing the written word to life in the form of detailed illustrations and perfect composition. I plan to use him again! He also has a great personality and is easy to work with.
Greg Sollie, May 2020
Very Talented.
M. Cheese, December 2019
2nd time I have used Nick. He had me hooked from the first sketch!
Martin Clothier, October 2019
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Vince Reid
I'm a freelance illustrator with over 15 years of professional experience mostly working on Children's chapter books.
