How to Make a Picture Book

About Elys Dolan

Elys Dolan is an author and illustrator living in Cambridge. She grew up in a part of Sussex that consists almost entirely of trees and cows and she was named after a department store in Wimbledon. She's never let either of these things hold her back and Elys recently graduated with distinction from the MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art.  Elys has been awarded second place in the Macmillan Prize and was also shortlisted for the Waterstone's ‘Picture This’ prize.

She works predominantly with paint markers, watercolours, and a splash of digital witchcraft. Elys has a PhD in funny picture books and when she’s feeling fussy insists that people refer to her as “Dr Dolan”. When not doing pictures and making things up Elys enjoys growing cacti, keeping bees and plotting how rabbits can win elections.

The Bookseller's Fiona Noble picked Elys as 'One to Watch' in 2015. When not doing pictures and making things up, Elys enjoys growing cacti, collecting pocket watches and eating excessive amounts of fondant fancies.