Illustrations for books 2014

This year (2014) I made illustrations for 8 books. And the year is not over yet! The first six books have been published and are already in the store.

For Dutch publisher Delubas I illustrated two books. The first book is called "The Flight of the puppeteer," and is written by Peter Vervloed. Because I am strongly influenced by comics and comicmakers (Franquin, Jacobs, Hergé, Munuera etc.) my illustrations have more similarities with comics than you usually find in youth and children's books.

Also for Delubas I illustrated the book 'Collision Course', written by Piet van der Waal. As I illustrate, I always try to think 'cinematic'. I alternate with closeups and large views.I also use perspectives that are out of proportion. I love action packed into a drawing, so I always try to think of a clever camera position.

Both books are sold in stores like Hema, Bruna, and other bookstores or available online. The books are also to be found in libraries.

For Oxford University Press South Africa I illustrated four books during the summer. The books are in store from October in South Africa. The first book is called 'An apple a day', and is about two sisters.

Book two is called 'Winners' and is about a twin. In this kind of pictures I draw a lot of action often by choosing a slightly unusual perspective. Or I draw lines overly crooked.

Book 3 'Winter' has a very different style and is for a younger audience.

The fourth and last book I made for Oxford is called 'Reptiles'. I was asked to draw in a more realistic style. Even though the animals stand still, and there is not to much action I try to draw momentum/action in a drawing.That can be done by using a up close up for one animal and draw the other animals further away.

At this moment, autumn 2014, I'm working on two children's books. A book for Benchmark Education Publishers from New York, written by the American children's author Lori Mortensen. For now I can only show some sketches. In the coming weeks I will work it out and at the end of this year  the book will be released in America and England.

I am also working on a children's book for a Dutch publisher. At this point I can't even show the sketches, because they still have to be approved.

Along with science journalist Govert Schilling (BBC Sky at Night, Harvard University Press) I work on our first  graphic novel. In the spring, we completed about 100 pages in sketch. We are now working on the synopsis and some 15 till 20 pages in full color in order to show it to our agencies. Samples of the pages are shown below, but they are not finished at all. The book will eventually comprise about 400 pages.

Oxford University Press

The last few weeks I have been working on illustrations for books for Oxford University Press.
I can call myself now officially "Creative employee" on the faculty 'Education at the University of Oxford! How far can you go as an illustrator? Soon, perhaps Harvard or Princeton?

For the Brazilian and Italian markets I'm working on an English course. For now I can only show some sketches.

At the moment I'm working on two books for the South African division of Oxford University Press. For now I can only show some sketches.

The first few months of 2014

The last months I made a lot of drawings. For Benchmark Education Company, a publisher from New York, I made a serie of drawings for their brochures. Some samples of drawings and sketches.

Dutch publisher Delubas asked me to illustrate two books. At the moment I'm finishing the second book. At a later stage I can show some detailled drawings, but because the books have yet to be published (this spring) I can only show some sketches for now. The books will be available in the stores (such as Hema and Bruna, etc.) and libraries. The first book is called "Collision Course" and is written by Piet van der Waal.

The second book is called "The Flight of the puppeteer," and is written by Peter Vervloed. On May 12 the drawings needs to be finished. 

For Dutch publisher Kwintessens I'm making a serie of drawings in which animals will be the stars. Here are some samples of sketches and concept art.

Dutch publisher TeamTalento asked me if I wanted to record a video course about how to draw cartoons and comics. The first two courses have been recorded and later this spring a third will follow. In the course, I explain the basics of drawing, how to draw a face, a cartoon figure, action and emotion in a drawing, etc.  I also made a book for the video course and below you can check out a sample.

Along with science writer Govert Schilling (BBC Sky at Night, Harvard University Press) I'm working on a graphic novel. It is now beginning to take shape. About 80 pages are finished in sketch. Below some samples in sketch (text is not final yet). 

From the Earth to the Moon

My agent, Edward Burns from Advocate Art,  asked me to make a proposal for drawings for the book "From the Earth to the Moon" by Jules Verne (to be published by Oxford University Press).
The story is written in the 19th century and is about three men who attempt to reach the moon with their rocket. The rocket and its interior is a typical sample of how people looked at a trip to the moon in that period, the 19th century. Below is the final drawing.

Before I came to this drawing, I first made a lot of sketches, and took a good look at the original edition of the book (available on the internet and extremely entertaining!).

The planet which is visible through the window, is actually the earth. For the graphic novel I'm working on, I already had drawn an exo planet. This drawing I used in a somewhat modified form and placed it behind the window. Below the original drawing.

One of the main characters, Barbicane, I worked out in some sketches:

And later on I made some drawings of Barbicane.