Roland Harvey

Author, Illustrator

Roland Harvey writes and illustrates highly detailed, funny and slightly educational books using pen ink and watercolour. He has won a number of awards including the Dromkeen Medal. He demonstrates his craft in an entertaining manner to all ages.

Where were you born?

Melbourne, Victoria.

What other jobs have you had?

I worked in Advertising then did a Bachelor of Environmental Science and B. Architecture, then formed publishing companies Roland Harvey Studios, The Five Mile Press, Periscope Press, and Roland Harvey Books.

What themes are recurring in your work?

There is a recurring environmental slant, a fair bit of science, medicine, history… oh, and a certain amount of humour. I am a great fan of watercolour and pen drawing, and a keen student of design.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Awards are very satisfying, but I think the real buzz comes from getting a response from a difficult subject such as The History of Medicine, or Philosophy. The highlights are often small or subtle, or only apparent twenty years later when someone takes the trouble to tell me what my books meant to them.

Where have your books been published?

Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, USA, Canada, Germany, The United Kingdom.

What are you passionate about?

Design, The Environment, music, art, travel, cooking, outdoor sports, kids and creativity.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Probably at the Preston Market or one of the live music gigs around Melbourne. Could have been sitting on my bum in the snow, though.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

I had a lecturer in History of Architecture. He brought to life every era, every country, every culture. showed us the inter-relatedness (!) of all things. Art, architecture war, religion, science, creativity, politics… It was fabulous and remains the inspiration for the style of my work.