Artist Research: Jim Kay

Jim Kay is an illustrator and printmaker who currently works in East Sussex. I found out about him through reading the illustrated hardbound Harry Potter books of which he produces the beautiful watercolour illustrations. Kay predominantly works with authors to illustrate their books, Harry Potter and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness being a few. He studied at the University of Westminster before working at the Royal Botanical Gardens as a curator of botanical illustrations; though his illustrations it's clear to see the influence and his passion for plants and botanicals. The world in which J.K. Rowling has created is one that has entertained all ages with its immersive worlds and charming characters who many readers have grown up with and feel an emotional connection to. I think the artist has illustrated the books perfectly, recreating the characters based on the original story going from how Rowling described them rather than a representation of the film actors, portraying his skill in visual storytelling.

Harry Potter books, written by J.K. Rowling illustrated by Jim Kay

For years I've read these books and loved the illustrations which showcase the wizarding world of Harry Potter before knowing of Jim Kay so it's gradually been something I've been aware of. His first love being botany and natural history, he's grown up surrounded by his relationship for nature, inspiring his later career as an artist. Growing up in the 1970s in London and attending Westminster University, I can imagine it was just as built up and crowded as it is now, so working at the Botanical Gardens and being immersed in the diverse array of exotic plants and manuscripts from around the world will have opened his eyes to the opportunities beyond London. In an interview I read, Kay showed his interest in the idea of storytelling being a tool to combine history with the environment, especially prominent in books aimed at a younger audience, is a way to inform them of wonders in nature and introduce them to new species in an interactive and enjoyable way- such as the pop-up book 'Bugs' he illustrated with writer and entomologist George Mcgavin in 2013. The book encourages children to take an interest in the world around them through three-dimensional bugs and insects, describing how the survive, what they eat and what they do. Similarly in Harry Potter, there are links to herbology with potions and magical plants with Kay has illustrated, bringing to life these wondrous species.

Pencil studies

Kay's talent shines through his use of traditional mediums like watercolour and ink, used in his storybook illustrations. I've always loved the vibrancy of colours his uses even in the darkest scenes, there are whirlwinds of colour breaking up the scene and adding a clever source of light, often bringing the character or subject into focus. With this, it adds depth to the image, creating a divide between the foreground and background which can be seen in the illustration below taken from 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'.

This image, in particular, is compositionally very impactive, with the owl in the foreground which directionally points your eye towards the flying car then to the house, making the viewer explore the whole scene horizontally, almost showing the cars journey with the endpoint being the house. In addition to watercolour, Kay uses pencil studies through his books, often when creating a field guide-style illustration, showing a certain species of plant or animal. This traditional style is reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical studies of the human form on old parchment, Kay has embodied aspects of this style using sepia ink and black calligraphy pen to achieve varying line weights.

Jim Kay will always be one of my favourite artists for his ability to capture well-known scenes and interpret them to fit his stylistic approach. I continue to understand methods of watercolour and how to skillfully compose an image to create the greatest visual impact though his illustrations while reading further editions of Harry Potter.

Book illustations taken from Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone