FEATURED ILLUSTRATOR Nataša Majer

 

Nataša Majer is an illustrator and designer from Slovenia.

I am Nataša Majer, an illustrator and designer from Slovenia. I haven't always been involved with illustration as I would have wished; only in recent years have I become brave enough to follow my heart.

For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with illustration. From kindergarten, I remember picture books not by their content or titles but by their illustrations. They are stored in my mind’s eye as colourful impressions, refined graphic images, or as layers and textures of strokes made by artists' drawing tools. And if I flip through these picture books today, I know exactly which detail, texture, or colour combination moved me and made me feel butterflies in my tummy.

Nataša's early childhood.

I was a creative child (as all children are!). I spent hours collecting interesting stones, drawing with dandelion pollen, and making jewellery out of dry chewing gum (no polymer clay in my days). During summer holidays at my grandmother’s, I wrote letters to my mum filled with illustrations. I often played a game with my brother, who was ten years younger, where I would draw everything from life that concerned us and our activities but would add a humorous twist to keep him amused. I invented my own alphabet, wrote rhymes, and made a few picture books, illustrated and hand bound. Unfortunately, none of these have survived to this day (except my alphabet!).

Nataša's drawings.

My mum worked in a large department with sewing supplies, and in her free time, she sewed clothes, costumes, and home textiles. I was surrounded by colourful fabrics, buttons of all kinds, vivid threads, laces, ribbons, and patterns. This sparked my interest in making clothes, and I sewed my first dress like a pro when I was 13.

I still drew a lot, and my mum was never too pleased when she found all my school notebooks filled with drawings unrelated to the school content (although some teachers really liked it!).

Nataša's and her mum.

I studied design and textile materials. I made costumes in the national theatre, but after my master's degree in textile design, I focused on graphic design and illustration. Under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Vojmir Pogačar, acad. painter, I completed my master's thesis titled A Concept of the Fabric Book, for which I received the Slovenian National Design Award.

Nataša's receiving the Slovenian National Design Award.

During my studies and later, I wanted to keep exploring the world of art and drawing. I attended drawing classes and art courses, including acrylic and oil painting. I learned different graphic techniques such as linocut, dry point, Japanese woodcut, and kitchen lithography. My latest course was in creative writing.

Because I didn’t study children’s illustration, I researched recommended books by different scholars on that topic and invested in buying as many as I thought I needed. I still do that sometimes.

I attended evening online courses in Children’s Picture Book Illustration and Developing Children’s Picture Books. I took the Good Ship Illustration Courses and benefited from monthly online mentoring sessions with educator, author, and illustrator Claire Alexander. I regularly attend webinars, online classes, and events.

Nataša's workspace.

I have been an SCBWI member since 2021. I first heard about it in one of the illustration courses. I researched their webpage and found it very useful – something I, as a member, could benefit from. Many great webinars, workshops, and resources like guides, articles, and newsletters. I like how SCBWI members have a section where we can write short bios and showcase our work.

Nataša's drawings.

I draw a lot. I keep practicing figure drawing and observational drawing. I read a lot about storytelling, creativity, visual communications, and human brains. I also love reading about the creative processes of artists that I love.

When it comes to the creative process and style, I know it is changing and evolving because we change and evolve all the time, throughout our lives. We grow, we learn, and we process with all our being, and that shapes our expression.

Nataša's illustrations.

For me, the hardest thing in drawing was (and sometimes still is) to relax and loosen up. I am a perfectionist by nature, and my profession too requires precision, thoughtful planning, and some overthinking. I am trying to break free of all those rules and habits.

I rarely draw in a sketchbook. I prefer to draw on loose paper, sometimes even on the tiniest pieces. When I have a particular idea in mind or work on a project, I always start with a sketch. This is where I can play, think, explore, and develop my ideas. I think about composition, overall mood, and what I want to convey with the illustration.

Nataša's illustrations.

Sometimes my creative process begins as a vision in the form of visual elements like the play of light and contrasts, a specific colour palette, or an expression on (or between) characters. These visual elements take shape before I know the exact content of the motif. Then I experiment with art materials or digital tools like Photoshop. I used to believe I would never work digitally, but I discovered that I can be much more relaxed and daring in an environment where I don't have to worry about destroying expensive artistic materials. I build my digital illustrations in many layers of strokes and textures, just as I would when working with pastels or paint on paper. I love experimenting with graphite and black ink. 

Nataša's illustrations.

My favourite places to recharge are forests and meadows. I take in as much as I can and with all my senses: the sounds, the smells, the lights, and the shadows. A walk in nature always sparks new ideas or helps resolve any creative problem. It fuels me. I also like to sit still and observe quietly. I love photography, and sometimes taking photos sets me in the mood for creating or starting a new project.

 

If I could give some advice, perhaps to my younger self, I would say: “Follow your heart, trust the feeling, keep drawing, keep reading, get enough sleep, keep exercising, fuel your imagination, get used to imposter syndrome (it never truly leaves). Stay playful, experiment, and stay in touch with your inner child.”

Illustration Gallery

*All Images: Nataša Majer

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You can follow and see Nataša's work here:

Website: https://www.natasamajer.com/

Instagram: @natasa_majer_illustration

SCBWI: https://www.scbwi.org/members/natasa-majer

X/Twitter: @NatasaMajer

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Ell Rose is the Illustration Features Editor of Words & Pictures.

Find their work at fourfooteleven.com

Follow them on Instagram and X/Twitter

Contact them at illustrators@britishscbwi.org