Matt Buckingham
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Matt Buckingham was born in Cheshire and grew up in the countryside. He studied Illustration at Loughborough University and went on to work as a freelance illustrator and junior design engineer for a specialist vehicle manufacturer that builds fire engines. He then did his Masters at Falmouth College of Art, where he began to write and illustrate his own picture books. Since then he has continued to invent stories and draw the kinds of pictures that he would have loved to have seen when he was growing up. Matt now lives in the Cheshire countryside with his wife, two children and their two naughty dogs. |
The first Bright Stanley book was very popular with young readers. Did this make it harder to come up with an idea for a sequel?
Yes it did because I knew it had to be an exciting story and build upon the success of the first book. With this new book I wanted to create a story that had all the excitement and colourful characters of the first book and make it even better, and hopefully I think I have.
Are you very interested in sea life?
I love the sea with all its strange and
wonderful
creatures.
I think there is
something magical
and slightly mysterious
about the ocean
and that’s what makes it interesting
for me. |
Where do you get the inspiration for your books?
I get my inspiration from everyday life. Whether it’s
something I’ve read in a book or seen on TV, even
walking down the road and, as funny as it sounds,
sitting in a bath always brings me new ideas for
my books. But I think my biggest inspiration is my children.
Stanley is a very intrepid young fish. Is he based on anyone?
Stanley isn’t directly based on anyone. His bold, bright outlook on life really came about from me trying to imagine what life would be like for a bright little fish in a big dark ocean.
When you are working on a book, what comes first: the words or the pictures?
For me the character comes first then I write the story. After I have a story I can begin to think about the pictures, but getting the character right is very important from the beginning as they need to shine and become the star.
What medium do you use to create your illustrations?
I use watercolour and ink to create my pictures, as well as a little help from the computer. But I sometimes use crayons and other types of paint from time to time.
Are there any other authors and illustrators you particularly admire or find inspirational?
I’ve been a fan of Quentin Blake from a very early age and it was his work that really inspired me to draw. Other illustrators I admire are Max Velthuijs and Emma Chichester Clark, to name but a few.
If you weren’t an author and illustrator, what career might you have pursued?
I really don’t know as I’ve always wanted to draw. Maybe I would have been an animator, but I don’t have the patience! I just consider myself very lucky that I am able to do a job I truly love.
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Find out more about Bright Stanley at 