Talented illustrator inspires the next generation of RGS artists
AN acclaimed illustrator and former international fashion designer is helping inspire the next generation of artists at RGS.
The art department has welcomed professional children’s book illustrator, former H&M designer and experienced art lecturer Sally Agar as its newest art technician.
Miss Agar joined the school in September, bringing with her a remarkable creative career that has taken her from fine art and international fashion to illustrating 16 published books for children and adults.
Having spent more than a decade living and working in Stockholm as a print designer for H&M, she returned to the UK in 2019 and subsequently established herself as a children’s book illustrator.
Her work now includes picture books, non-fiction, sticker books and an autobiography.
Miss Agar's arrival at RGS gives students the opportunity to work alongside an artist with first-hand experience of several different areas of the creative industries - including publishing, fashion, commercial design and higher education.
She also lectures on the illustration degree course at The Northern School of Art and runs children’s art clubs and workshops.
Originally from Middlesbrough, her love of art began at an early age.
“I first took up drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil - it’s been a life-long love,” she said. “My dad worked as an architect and always encouraged me to sketch and draw.”
After attending Hall Garth Secondary School in Middlesbrough, she studied A-levels at Stockton Sixth Form College before completing a degree in fine art at Winchester School of Art.
Her career initially took an unexpected direction. After university, she worked as a park ranger’s assistant for the National Trust before deciding that commercial art was better suited to her.
She went on to complete a master’s degree in illustration at Sunderland, where some of the work she created was picked up by Topshop and used as T-shirt prints. This unexpectedly opened the door to the fashion industry, leading to her role as a print designer for H&M.
Miss Agar spent more than 10 years working in Stockholm, Sweden, for H&M before returning to the UK where she began working as a children’s book illustrator.
Her first book deal came in 2020 after she entered a competition run by publishing company Hachette and was offered a contract to illustrate her first picture book.
A typical book can take Sally anywhere from a few months to a year to illustrate, depending on the type of project and the publisher’s input.
Once she receives the completed manuscript, she works with an art director to agree how each spread will look. After her sketches have been approved, she creates the final artwork using paint and pencil.
She says one of the highlights of her new role at RGS is seeing the work produced by the school’s students.
“My favourite thing about working here is seeing the amazing artwork created by the students - it’s always so inspiring!”
Looking to the future, she has ambitions to write and illustrate her own picture book or graphic novel, or perhaps illustrate a book written by her son.
For RGS students, Miss Agar's appointment brings professional creative experience directly into the art department, demonstrating just how many different paths an interest in art can lead to.
Visit: www.sallyagar.com
Ripon Grammar School, 16 Clotherholme Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 2DG
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