Ink evangelist Johanna Basford on colouring as therapy and releasing her fourth adult colouring book
Johanna Basford
Johanna Basford
As a child, Johanna Basford drew on walls, floors, library books, all over her house. Crayons were her best friends and drawing is all she wanted to do. It’s been a long journey — from studying Printed Textiles at art school in Scotland, working from a desk in a tiny one-bedroom flat to becoming a freelance illustrator and, finally, creating adult colouring books. Basford, 33, recently released her fourth book, Magical Jungle, and is currently essaying the role of a wellness consultant. Excerpts from an interview:
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Why the desire to create colouring books for adults?
I previously worked as a freelance illustrator specialising in hand drawn illustrations predominantly in black and white before I was approached by Laurence King four years ago to design a colouring book. I wanted to curate an adult colouring book since they weren’t as much of a thing then.
How did they become so popular? Is it just a fad?
It’s only a trend. The colouring craze always existed, but recently, it has become socially acceptable. Everyone has a creative spark, and adult colouring gives people a chance to explore their carefree and creative side.
Do you believe colouring is therapeutic?
I usually feel blissfully submerged while colouring, I am at ease and much more relaxed. Through these sheets, I want people to feel the same. It’s a great way to de-stress. It gives adults freedom from the digital world which has taken over paper. Also, it lets you indulge in your space without the fear of being judged, away from the constant chatter of the world. Nowadays, people crave to work on analogue things; colouring sheets is just another of those creative outlets for adults. It gives them the opportunity to indulge in an activity which reminds them of their childhood, stress-free days.
Why do you think your illustrations appeal to adults?
These illustrations are designed in a way that gives importance to minute details which leads to near zero distraction. It allows the creative side of the person to be explored, and so appeals to users.
Your books focus on the earth and its elements
I love nature and I have been close to it since I was little. Hence, I draw what has inspired me, be it holidays spent with my grandparents or visiting aquariums with my parents.
Have you thought about going digital?
I personally love the imperfect circle and slightly crooked line. I think it’s natural and soulful to have those little intricacies that are evident in a hand-crafted illustration. Vector artwork is so precise and does not give the feel of the human hand, and it lacks depth. Since my work is nature-inspired, it seems jarring to capture the beauty of nature using a machine.
Do you have any tips for people who use your books?
Choose a book and colours you love; make a choice between pens and pencils as each of them gives a different feel. Don’t worry if you go out of the lines.
How often do you colour? Do you have a strategy?
I love freestyle colouring. I often go out of lines so I usually redraw the outlines to accommodate my squiggles. It’s all about having fun, learning to relax and making your own imagination come to life. Also, it is helpful to place a blank paper behind the sheet on which you are colouring to stop any transfers in case you press the colours hard.
My toolbox
Staedtler Rotary pencils with 0.5 HB leads, erasers, Staedtler pigment liners in 0.05 to 0.7 sized nibs, lots of scotch tape and pads of A3 and A2 Daler
Rowney layout paper
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