Tim Probert, the author and illustrator of the fantasy graphic novel series Lightfall, has finally found his artistic voice. In this interview, Probert reflects on his journey from a painting student at Boston University to a successful illustrator and art director at Nathan Love animation studio. He shares his influences, the dynamic between his background in animation and illustration, and the process of creating the Lightfall series.
Probert's journey began with a focus on painting and drawing the human figure, but he soon discovered his passion for illustration. He taught himself Photoshop and started working on illustration jobs, including a scratch-and-sniff book about New York City. His work caught the attention of Macmillan Publishers, who asked him to illustrate a chapter book. Probert's influences include Hayao Miyazaki, whose unique storytelling and drawing style inspired him, and Kazu Kibuishi, whose work editing the Flight anthologies introduced him to the world of comics.
Probert's work in the animation industry has greatly informed his illustration. He took on various tasks at Nathan Love, including storyboarding, character design, and painting color keys. This experience helped him develop skills in drawing quickly, clearly, and efficiently, which are essential for illustrating a 250+ page book. Probert's dual career as an illustrator and art director allowed him to pitch Lightfall and create the first couple of books while still working at Nathan Love.
The Lightfall series is the focus of Probert's current day-to-day work. He has some side projects, but he is primarily working on the fifth book in the series. Probert didn't have the entire series planned out from the start, but he had a general idea of where he wanted it to end up. The time frame for writing and illustrating a Lightfall book is approximately 18 months, with six months dedicated to writing and thumbnailing, and six months to drawing and painting.
Probert's aesthetic has evolved over the years. He spent many early years trying to emulate different styles, but he eventually learned to lean into his own unique style. He credits Cory Godby, an illustrator and mentor, for helping him discover his authentic voice. Probert's background in animation and illustration has constantly fed, informed, and improved each other, creating a dynamic and inspiring creative process.
Looking ahead, Probert is starting to think about life after Lightfall. He is working on new ideas and exploring different avenues for his creative expression. His journey from a painting student to a successful illustrator and artist is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and the constant pursuit of artistic excellence.
