Tim Probert is a multifaceted author, illustrator, and art director whose creative work is characterized by its deep atmospheric richness and a profound ability to build immersive, fantastical worlds. Best known for his acclaimed graphic novel series Lightfall, Probert has successfully translated his background in fine arts and professional animation into a distinct visual language that appeals to readers of all ages. His approach to storytelling often mirrors his interest in nature and quiet introspection, blending epic fantasy adventure with genuine, heartfelt explorations of character growth. By utilizing his classical training in painting, Probert ensures that every frame of his stories is crafted with a keen sense of light, shadow, and color, which gives his graphic novels a cinematic quality that is both expansive and intimate.
Before establishing his reputation in the publishing world, Probert built a significant career in the animation industry, a field that profoundly shaped his understanding of visual narrative. For over a decade, he served as an art director and visual development artist at the New York-based animation studio Nathan Love. During this period, he played a vital role in crafting the aesthetic identity for a wide range of commercial projects, working with notable clients such as Nickelodeon, Kellogg’s, and Coca-Cola. His experience in commercial animation taught him how to design characters that possess instant, clear readability and how to pace a story for maximum impact. This professional rigor, combined with his fine arts education at Boston University, allowed him to approach comic books with the eye of a painter and the technical skill of a seasoned animator.
Probert’s transition into children’s books began in the early 2010s, where he quickly demonstrated his versatility as an illustrator. Early projects, such as Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School and the innovative scratch-and-sniff book New York, Phew York, allowed him to explore different artistic styles and narrative tones. His work on the Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Academy series further highlighted his ability to inhabit existing fantasy worlds while maintaining his own signature aesthetic. These diverse experiences served as a bridge, preparing him for the complex, long-form storytelling that would define his later work.
The most significant achievement in Probert’s career is undoubtedly his original series, Lightfall. Interestingly, the series was not initially conceived as a book; it began as an animated pitch titled The Ballad of Bea and Cad. When the animated series did not move forward, Probert saw the potential to expand this world through the sequential art medium. Set in the lush, sun-drenched world of Irpa, the series follows the journey of Bea, a young girl who battles severe anxiety, and Cad, an optimistic member of the near-extinct Galdurian race. Their quest to find Bea’s missing grandfather serves as the foundation for a much larger battle against encroaching darkness. Probert uses this journey to externalize Bea’s internal struggle, showing her growth not just through dialogue, but through her interaction with the vibrant environment he has meticulously illustrated.
Since the debut of The Girl & The Galdurian in 2020, Lightfall has garnered critical praise for its empathy and visual splendor. Critics have lauded Probert’s handling of mental health themes, particularly the way he visualizes anxiety as a creeping, dark force that Bea must learn to navigate. The series continued with Shadow of the Bird, The Dark Times, and A Place Between, each entry further deepening the lore of Irpa. Probert’s work on the series has earned him several honors, including nominations for Harvey Awards and a Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award at the Eisner Awards. The planned six-book epic continues to be a staple of modern middle-grade fantasy, praised for its unique blend of environmentalism, friendship, and resilience.
Today, Probert lives in upstate New York, a move that has significantly influenced his creative process. His home—a straw bale house heated by a wood stove—reflects his preference for a sustainable, rustic lifestyle that directly informs the warmth and texture of the worlds he paints. The natural environment of his home serves as a primary inspiration for the flora and fauna of Irpa. He shares his life with his wife and their two cats, who famously served as the inspiration for the characters Boisenberry and Snore in Lightfall. This connection between his personal life and his art is a hallmark of Probert’s work; he draws from his real-world surroundings to ground his fantasy narratives in something authentic and deeply felt.
Probert’s creative philosophy remains rooted in the belief that children’s literature can be a powerful vessel for navigating life’s complexities. Whether he is designing a commercial character or drawing a sweeping landscape for a graphic novel, his commitment to visual excellence is constant. His work avoids the clutter of unnecessary details, favoring a clean, intentional aesthetic that prioritizes clarity and emotional connection. For Probert, the act of drawing is an extension of his own wonder, a way to share the beauty he finds in both the natural world and his own imagination. As he continues to develop Lightfall and other projects, his legacy as a storyteller who can bridge the gap between fine art and accessible, meaningful fantasy is firmly secured.
