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Sara Gibbeson


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Lecturer in Illustration and Design

I teach on the BA (Hons) Illustration and Design programme working with students across all year groups.

I love experimenting with different mediums and encouraging students to explore new ways of working to find their own unique creative voice that will take them forward into industry.

I also work as a freelance illustrator and hold an MA in Illustration and Design which I achieved here at the University of Sunderland. I have created work for a variety of clients and projects including public art, children’s books, live drawing events, editorial, fashion and educational materials.

I am passionate about using illustration and drawing as an accessible and versatile method of self-expression, storytelling and visual communication. My own work is underpinned by my drawing practice and I work primarily in sketchbooks using traditional mediums to record the world around me. I use these drawings to inspire and create final illustrations adding colour, texture and layers using digital tools.



Teaching and supervision

Research interests for potential research students

Participatory drawing, illustration and design

I have experience working with a variety of traditional mediums including, dip pen and inks, oil paint, water colour, gouache, charcoal, collage and oil pastels. I use these traditional and hand drawn methods to create digital mixed media illustrations primarily using Adobe Photoshop.

Last updated 28 February 2024