About me
Writer and illustrator, Derek Brazell’s book on business for illustrators, Becoming A Successful Illustrator (2nd edition 2017), was co-authored with Jo Davies, and their Understanding Illustration was published by Bloomsbury in 2014. Their first book, Making Great Illustration discussed illustrators process with 30 artists at the top of their profession.
As an illustrator, Derek produced images for magazines, design work and a string of successful picture books for children, including his first picture book Cleversticks, published in 1992 and still in print, and Grandma’s Saturday Soup for Mantra Lingua.
As Publications and Membership Manager at the Association of Illustrators he is publisher of Varoom magazine for the organisation, and works on the AOI’s campaigning for illustrators rights. He sits on the Creators Rights Alliance and the British Copyright Council, as well as the European Illustrators Forum.
Projects
- Welcome to the World'Welcome To The World, Baby' children's book illustrated by me and written by Na'ima bint Robert has been recommended by Booktrust for Pre-School kids in their Multicultural section for 2015: http://www.booktrust.org.uk/searchresults/?search=book+finder#/d/books/bookfinder/107/27 It's a sweet story detailing how families with different cultural backgrounds welcome the birth of a baby, published in dual languages by Mantra.
- Lichen reviewAt the start of Lichen, written and illustrated by Stuart Kolakovic, a formation of birds fly over an island, alerting the graphic novel's silent hero that it’s the autumn season and time to lead his herd of reindeer through the shallow sea to the mainland. It's the start of a long journey to the city. But there may be danger and adventures on the way.
- Review - 100 Great Children’s Picturebooks100 Great Children’s Picturebooks – my book review By Martin Salisbury Published by Laurence King ISBN 9781780674087 Wrapped in a beautifully appropriate Sara Fanelli artwork jacket, Martin Salibury’s celebratory book is “first and foremost about good art and design” – as he is quick to emphasise in the introduction – and it delivers on his intention as compiler of being a “visual feast” for those who love the picture book. Continues at http://www.theaoi.com/blog/?p=8629
- Review - Ronald Searles AmericaRonald Searles America Edited by Matt Jones Published by Fantagraphics Books Observation – some people appear oblivious to what is around them. Others cast a keen eye across their surroundings and the people inhabiting them. Illustrator Ronald Searle (1920 -2011) was a master of the latter, injecting it both into his reportage work and successful cartoons such as St Trinian’s, and this superb book revisits his impressive output from across America (and Canada) on assignment for several magazine
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Projects credited in
- Inside IllustrationInside Illustration is a multi platform season for AOI Members focussing on a particular area of illustration for each Season. Some content is available to non-members. Every season includes an exclusive Podcast, a Creative Course for members, in-depth Article, Resource, Commissioner interview and a comprehensive ‘How To…’ for those interested in entering the area based on the season theme.3
- Varoom 41 No NarrativeFrom feminist medical illustration to infographics on the scale of gun crime in the USA, the latest issue of Varoom magazine finds new illustration that goes beyond traditional storytelling.8
- Varoom illustration magazineLove the visual arts? Not sure what to say when people ask what you want for Xmas? Then a subscription for Varoom illustration magazine is for you. Easy to buy (https://tinyurl.com/yd85h5xn) and fantastic to read (and look at the wealth of amazing pictures!) The current Fantasy issue is 128 pages of image perfection, featuring Victo Ngai, Paul X Johnson, Tianhua Mao, Ram Han, immersive indie games, Beau Brannick's embroidary and Molly Mendoza's new graphic novel. Cover artwork by Manshen Lo (12
- Varoom 38 The Activism IssueThe Activism issue of Varoom reports on the innovative ways that illustrators today are using their work to effect social and political change around the world. With their ability to clarify the complex, manifest the hidden and lampoon the powerful, illustrators are essential practitioners in this age of distorted truths and commercial homogenisation. As more people visibly adopt positions on political and social issues, the championing of causes has become a cultural currency, adopted by8
- VaroomVaroom is the globally leading illustration magazine featuring a unique combination of industry insight and critical analysis of the field of illustration. Current and back issues are available to buy here: theaoi.com/product-category/varoom/15
- Varoom 36 the Love issue The “Love” issue of Varoom explores the communication, commerce and creativity of love: from brands reconstructing the visual languages of love to connect with new markets beyond heterosexual norms, to the politics of sexuality, to the love of creativity expressed by illustrators in the act of image-making. From Smirnoff vodka’s ‘Choose Love’ bottles celebrating Pride, to the explicit but empathetic sex clubs drawings that Felix Scheinberger sketches in Berlin, to the bespoke Valentines creat
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Work history
Projects ManagerAssociation of Illustrators (AOI)
London, United KingdomFull Time
Skills
- Writing
- Drawing
- Author
- Editorial
- Illustration
- Project Management
- Reviewer