Having written the book myself, I'd already done some research before illustrating it, and I'd developed a few ideas of how I wanted it to look. I knew the era it needed to be set in, and the place, so my mum has very kindly poured through shoe boxes full of my nana's old photos, while I have researched styles and architecture, and crazy instruments and my favourite artists (although that last one is more therapy than research!).
So here is a fairly eclectic selection of some of my research.
So here is a fairly eclectic selection of some of my research.
Various photos of my nana in her old neighbourhood.
I never thought I'd be researching dustbin lids as a form of instrument!
Finally, I had to set up my research in a way that I could display it whilst visiting the College, but transport it home easily if necessary. I decided to set up a post box too as part of an envelope project which the college is involved in, and invited the students to send me letters to introduce themselves.