Who is Tom Hovey? Bake Off 2018 illustrator who sells his sketches online
YOU may have seen the amazing illustrations of the baked wonders on The Great British Bake Off, but do you know who creates them?
Here's all you need to know about artist Tom Hovey and how he got his job on the Channel 4 show.
Who is Tom Hovey?
Tom is a Welsh illustrator who is based in Bristol, whose work has been used for TV graphics, books, storyboarding and animations, among many other outlets.
He’s best known for producing the illustrated graphics for The Great British Bake Off, which he has done since its inception in 2010.
He has also provided graphics for all of the spin-off shows in the GBBO family such as Junior Bake Off, Mary & Paul's Master Classes, Comic Relief, Sport Relief Bake Off, as well as The Great American Baking Show.
The talented artist also sells his prints in his .
How did Tom Hovey get the job as The Great British Bake Off illustrator?
He claims that it was simply being in the right place at the right time that led to the BBC One hit show.
Tom moved to London “to seek fame and fortune” but said that he hadn’t secured a job before he moved.
Upon arrival, a friend got him a job helping out in the edit for a “new amateur baking show”.
In an interview with he explained: “I was working in the edit suite with the Series Director and Editor when they mentioned that there was a visual element missing from the show, and that they were thinking of including some illustration.
“I said I could do it, pitched a few ideas and got the gig.
"1000 cake drawings later I’m still going!”
How does Tom Hovey come up with the illustrations on The Great British Bake Off?
Once the bakers have made their culinary creations in the famed tent, Tom gets a photo of each bake.
He then sketches out each bake quickly in pencil, and then fills in the design with ink.
They are then scanned and coloured digitally and he then adds the titles, ingredients and arrows that the viewers see on screen.
On average it takes him about a week to illustrate each episode.
LATEST ON BAKE OFF
When is The Great British Bake Off on Channel Four?
The Great British Bake Off 2018 started on Tuesday, August 28, at 8pm on Channel 4.
Last year's series was won by Sophie Faldo who was an officer in the British Army's Royal Artillery.
Presenters Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig return as presenters, alongside judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice hosted by Jo Brand is on Fridays at 8pm on Channel 4.