Penny Schneider is an author, illustrator, and art educator. She lives on Long Island in New York. She’s been a high school art teacher for the past 30 years. At home, Penny is a superhero in sweatpants to her husband and daughter. She loves creating art, going to museums, healthy cooking with her many kitchen gadgets, taking walks and hikes, and laughing with her friends and family.
1. What was your favorite subject in school?
My 2 favorite subjects in school were always Art and Science. Art because I LOVED drawing and being creative (I still do!). I loved learning about and trying new art media to work with.
Science because I was (and still am) very interested in how things work and the why behind things. Science just always fascinates me.
2. Do you only work in one medium?
Absolutely not! I work in graphite, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic paint, clay, cardboard, colored pencils, procreate…. And I love trying new things! Being a high school art teacher teaching different courses, I get to “play” with lots of different things! I love learning new techniques. I feel like it is very exciting to know that there are always new things to learn and ways to grow as both an artist and a writer. If you asked me my very favorite though, I would have to say pencil and paper. Truthfully that’s how most of my work begins.
3. What made you like drawing/painting?
I have loved drawing since I was little. When someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would say a “girl Walt Disney”. I loved creating and drawing cartoon characters, I had sketch books filled with my own creations. I loved and still love making people laugh and happy from my drawings. I could sit in my room drawing and listening to music for hours. I could draw and get lost in my work, every worry, stress and trouble would just disappear.
4. What kind of children’s books do you like the most?
I read a LOT of children's books. If I had to pick the kind that I love the best, I love children’s books with humor and heart the best. I love ones with great illustrations that show more than tell with the words. Some great author illustrators I really love are Kaz Windness, Jarrett Lerner, Aaron Blabey, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Ben Clanton and Jarrett Krosoczka. Great illustrations really keep me pulled into a story. I really enjoy children’s books that have illustrations that tell a story beyond the words. I am most drawn to books with illustrations that are full of life, movement and expression. Great use of color is another plus!
5. What inspired you to try children’s literature?
When my daughter was little she loved stories and books. We would go to the library and look for books about whatever she was interested in, both fiction and nonfiction. Whether it was about being nervous on the first day of school, making friends, wanting a pet, betta fish, dogs, cooking, volcanoes…. we read books. When I couldn’t find a book that fit, I made up stories to entertain her. The funnier the story was, the better. Eventually I was recommended by a friend to write them down. Some stories she would want on repeat because she loved them so much. Then she loved certain characters and wanted more stories about them. Being an artist, I began illustrating them. I absolutely loved it! I was introduced to SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and the rest is history.
6. What do you do when you feel stuck?
When I feel stuck, I read. I read lots of children’s books, both picture books and graphic novels. I love going to the library and just sitting at a table with a stack of books and reading. Pretty soon I am unstuck and raring to go again!
7. How do you keep up with trends in illustration and design?
I am a member of SCBWI. I attend conferences, workshops, and read lots of articles. I am in an SCBWI Illustration critique group. I also meet with another great critique group that began in 2018 through a writing class that we had taken together. We work through all aspects of our craft. Being a part of a community of creatives is very helpful.
8. What tips can you offer aspiring book illustrators?
Read a lot of books in your genre.
Sketch and draw, a lot. Make a list of things you like to draw. Use the list as drawing prompts. Draw things that are meaningful to you.
Don’t worry about creating a style, the more you draw, it will eventually come naturally. I used to worry about that. I used to compare how I drew with other artists a lot. As I got older I realized that I enjoyed drawing in my own way the most.
Find your tribe. Find other illustrators that you can share ideas and your work with. Learn from and help each other grow as illustrators. SCBWI could be a great start!
9. How do you decide on composition?
The first thing I consider in a composition is what “story” am I trying to tell in this composition? What do I want the viewer to pay attention to first? Where do I want them to look next…. How can I pull the viewer's eye to go where I want them to go? I then consider the vibe, emotions and feelings I am trying to express through it.
Many thanks for your insightful interview, Penny! Please follow Penny on her social media pages and check out her newly released graphic novel, Arty, in our Bookshop! As always, keep shining, everyone!
Website: PennySchneider.com
Twitter/X: https://x.com/pennyschnei
Oh my gosh, the turtle in the egg is too cute!