Robert Roskam is from the Netherlands and has been drawing his whole life. In 2009 Robert decided to leave the Netherlands, and moved to beautiful British Colombia, Canada. Nature is his biggest inspiration, from majestic mountains to small flowers that grow on the road.
How long have you been illustrating and what made you start?
I’ve been drawing my whole life. I graduated art school in the Netherlands. But it wasn’t until a friend asked me if she could colour one of my drawings I posted on my Facebook page, that I started to create colouring books. That was about 4 years ago.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from nature. From the tiniest little flower that grows out of a crack on the sidewalk, to the majestic mountains we have here in British Colombia, Canada.
Where is your favourite place to illustrate?
My favourite place to draw and colour is at home. At the dining room table with the radio playing music in the background, and when the weather allows it, with the patio doors open.
What are your illustrating/colouring material essentials?
I use black Micron pens, and 100% recycled paper from Robert Bateman (110LB, acid free white paper). I use an Epson printer to scan and print my drawings. When I colour, I use the same paper to print the illustration on. Other materials are the Faber-Castell Polychromos, Prisma premier coloured pencils, and for blending I use a small brush and odourless solvent.
What’s the piece of work that you’re most proud of or enjoyed doing the most?
I’m the most proud of my three Botanica colouring books. Especially Botanica III, Flowers and Birds.
Don’t start too heavy. Be light-handed, and built up as much layers as possible. Do one section at the time, don’t start a flower here and a tree over there. Once you have 5 or 6 layers of colour you can use the odourless solvent to blend. Use a small brush, dip it in the solvent (not too much) and gently blend the colours. This technique is also perfect to get rid of the grainy look. On You-tube you can find some great tutorials on how to use solvent. But most importantly, just to enjoy it, and what’s even more important.... don’t compare yourself with others.
