We here at Multiversity are fascinated by everything comics, and that includes finding out all about the people that make the books that we love. With that in mind, welcome to WorkSpace! This is where creators let us into their homes and, by getting a glimpse at their surroundings, we uncover a little about their process and their inspirations.
This week: Rachael Stott
Rachael is a London-based artist that has worked on such books as “Doctor Who” for Titan, “Star Trek/Planet of the Apes” and “Ghostbusters International” for IDW and is currently the artist on Vertigo’s “Motherlands,” written by Si Spurrier.
Rachael, thank you for showing us around your work space! What can you tell us about it?
Rachael Stott: It’s pretty bare, though this is it at the beginning of a new project. At the end of a project it gets slightly messier. A few more books and random bits of paper. Plus it doubles as my makeup table so it accumulates brushes and eyeshadow palettes- I have to clean twinkly glitter out of the grooves in my tablet more often then a professional artist maybe should I feel.
The room is at a slight angle so there is a small problem that the harder I press when I draw, the further I move from my desk, and I have to occasionally scoot my chair back to where I started. I should probably buy a slip-proof mat but that feels like cheating.
Do you have anything around you that inspires you while you do your work?
RS: It sounds like something I’d say if I was living in a prison cell, but I really like having a big open window with a nice view. You need some greenery, some flowers, something fairly nice to stare at whilst you try to think of the best angle to draw a guy getting his head punched off.
I also have a bookcase within arms reach. Some things get to migrate to the desk for a while- I’ve found Klaus Janson’s DC inking guide tends to set up camp there fairly early into each project.
What’s a usual Day in the Life like for you, do you have a set routine?
RS: If I don’t have any other plans for the day like meeting up with friends or so on, I’ll be up at 7 (whether I want to be or not- thanks brain), and get to work right away (After coffee and breakfast), work through until lunch, which is normally eaten at my desk as well (A very trashy habit, sorry), work through until around 6 then I’ll go to the gym.
I used to get bad wrist pain, but last year I took up boxing and it hasn’t bothered me since (So if you’re listening fellow artists- I recommend! Though the caveat is that you have to occasionally get punched. But you’re an artist so you probably have it coming)
Rachael, thank you so much for your time!
You can find Rachael on Twitter @RachaelAtWork, and on Tumblr. Much of Rachael’s work can be found on Comixology, including “Motherlands,” her current work with Si Spurrier for Vertigo.
