Anke Weckmann

I'm a freelance illustrator living and working in London. My work is usually about characters in strange and cozy environments. I love colours, shapes, simplicity and weirdness. Most of my days are spent drawing, drinking tea and listening to audio books and podcasts. When I'm not working I love yoga, running and going on sketchbook adventures with my husband.

Have you always been creative and artistic?

I have always enjoyed making things. When I was little I was constantly drawing and asking people to show me how to crochet, sew or make things with wood. Anything creative was exciting to me.

How would you describe the style of your work?

Style is not really something I think about, I just draw the way I naturally draw and I think that's how a 'true style' develops. It's constantly changing and evolving and influenced by everything I see and am inspired by.

What’s in your pencil case and what’s your favorite tool?

I have a lot of black pens in different thicknesses from different brands and dozens of pencils. I like using felt tip pens and coloured pencils in my sketchbooks. Uni-Ball pens are pretty great.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Pippi Longstocking. Who wouldn't want to be the strongest girl in the world, have ginger hair and a big house in Sweden?

If you could have one super power what would it be?

Making time go slower so I can get more done.

Where do you look for inspiration?

I'm inspired by long walks, people I meet, characters in films and books, the trees outside my window, good food, the quiet before the storm.

Who are your favorite artists or comic book authors?

Lilli Carre, Ilon Wikland, Tove Janson, Lucy Knisley, Yelena Bryksenkova, Gemma Correll, Yoshimoto Nara, Paul Klee, Lucy Knisley, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Anne Emilia Laitinen, Hans Arp and about a million more.