By day Dan Ireton is the man bagging up your carrots and spuds at Monty’s grocers in Birchington alongside wife Theresa – but by night he is creating amazing characters and illustrations for children’s books.
The dad-of-three has recently provided watercolour illustrations for Manston author Carol Salter’s upcoming book The Tales of Timmy and his Magic Toe-Beans, which is set to hit the shelves in time for Christmas.
The book features beautiful scenes of Broadstairs and Margate in full colour, created by Dan and there will be more of his art in follow-up book Further Tales of Timmy and his Magic Toe-Beans , which is scheduled for 2025.
Dan has also been hard at work on his own book, Slugsy, and has been approached by several other author’s to illustrate their books.
He has also been delighting people with his fantastic digital art on facebook page The Ginger Illustrator,
Dan, 42, said: “I have always done a bit of painting, such as landscapes, but it has only been since March that I started doing (art) digitally.
“When using traditional paints it is quite difficult to keep everything the same but with digital art, I use an iPad and I can save stuff like colour mixes. So I could have 20 illustrations and use the same set up.”
Dan used watercolours rather than digital art for the illustrations in Carol’s book but has been busy on the iPad creating both the story and pictures for his own first book – Slugsy.
He said: “One of my lifelong dreams was that I wanted to do a children’s book. I have just finished illustrating my own book which I have also written myself. Now I am just revising it because it is a rhyming book and there are a couple of verses I want to look at again.
“It is an original idea about a lonely slug who finds the best way to express himself is through art. He starts a journey with no friends but by the end he has made quite a lot of friends.”
Slugsy is aimed at five to eight year olds and Dan says the next step will be to find a publisher to take it on.
He said: “I’m optimistic as it’s a strong book.”
Dan has also got a few more projects in the pipeline, he is keeping one ‘top secret’ for now but added: “I have also started a few different concept ideas, one is set in the caveman era and I have had several different people approach me to illustrate their books.
“There are lots of opportunities coming up but at the moment I am working with Carol, who is a joy, and I am really looking forward to Slugsy coming out as that’s my baby! Everyone hates slugs but by the end of the book you can’t help but like Slugsy.”
Impressive!
You are going from strength to strength Danny.
You will soon be too important to talk to me, only joking.
Well done Danny.