Kathy, Lynne and a spontaneous Lily McBloom in background
We chatted over lattes and shared mutual experiences. Authors and illustrators have LOTS in common, and Lynne graciously let us in on the illustrator's side of the picture book process. I hope you learn as much as I did from her thoughtful answers!
KH: Can you explain how you begin to
tackle the art for a manuscript?
LA: First, I want to say
how awed I am by the writers I work with, and the wonderful stories they give
me to work with. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do, than illustrate these
creative works of imagination.
The ideas start flowing
with the first read of the manuscript. The author’s words create the scene in
my imagination, and I go from there to bring it into “reality”. Because what I
create is truly a reality for me. Sometimes, and I’m sure I share this
experience with authors, I come out of “the zone” and hours have passed, and I
feel like I’ve been somewhere else – in whatever storyland I’m working on at
the moment!
There are so many things to
think about at first. It is a lot like directing a movie, where a book is
turned into film. There are characters to create (casting), background scenes
to create (on location, props etc), clothes to design (costume department), and
especially and most importantly, the ACTING, as you feel and describe the
emotions of the characters.
You don’t want all your
books to look the same, in fact it’s impossible, as each story is special, and
each has a feeling that comes with the first reading from the impressions you
pick up of the author’s style. So you may choose from a variety of techniques –
maybe watercolor, gouache, pastel, outline, no outline. Even if you work digitally,
there are many choices. You may approach the story realistically or
whimsically. The colors may be wildly glorious, or darkly somber. But it all
has to come together to tell the story.
To make a long story short,
then come piles and piles of sketches, overviews and corrections by the editor
and art director (and sometimes the author if he/she has clout), and then on to
the final artwork – all this takes months and months. And after that, a LONG
year until the book is printed, bound, and released. Lots of work!
KH: What suggestions do you have for writers
in making sure we leave ample room for illustrators and their magic?
LA: Well, if you are a
picture book writer, you already know the mantra, “less is more”. That is not
only good for your writing, but gives us illustrators something to add! A
picture book is known as a marriage between words and pictures. Each side adds
a dimension to the story.
KH: Many writers I know debate about adding
illustration notes in their work. Your opinion, please…
LA: There are instances
where I receive certain short notes from the author in the manuscript, which
can be very helpful. But if you have written a strong story, and you have a
good illustrator on board, your work is done. Sit back and hand over the reins.
You are the word person, and the illustrator is the visual person. You may be
pleasantly surprised!
KH: You’ve illustrated scores of picture
books, including the Nellie Sue “Every Cowgirl” series by Rebecca Janni, the
new Amelia Bedelia picture books, I Can Read books & chapter books. Is your
approach to picture books different than early chapter books? Do you have less work in telling the story in a chapter book?
LA: Believe
it or not, the Amelia Bedelia chapter books are as much work, or more, than the
picture books. The picture books are 32 pages, and the chapter books are about
140 pages with multiple pictures on each page (more in mine than the normal
chapter books!). The art is in black and white, and ranges from spots to full
scenes. I do them in black line, and
paint them with ink washes. There is so much to do – so many details to figure
out, like the floor plan of the house, the decoration of a room, the furniture,
street scenes with architecture. The chapter books I did several years ago for
Random House (Starvation Lake) had one scene per chapter, and that was a piece
of cake. But I love these, with all the art – the books have a LOT of energy!
KH: I love your newest books, I’M GONNA
CLIMB A MOUNTAIN IN MY PATENT LEATHER SHOES and UNDERPANTS DANCE. Does the tone
of the story play a part in which medium you choose for illustration?
LA: Yes, I use different
mediums for different stories. Amelia Bedelia is painted in gouache with black
pencil outline. UNDERPANTS DANCE was
also done in gouache, but outlined with my favorite ink pen, which has a very
fluid and thin line, to express her movement. I wanted to show a lot of white
spaced in that book. CLIMB A MOUNTAIN is actually done in chalk pastel, rubbed
into the paper, and mixed with matte medium, because I was more interested in
double page spreads with full bleed and large areas of color and texture.
KH: You really engaged the kids at your
presentation the Saturday we met. How does a writer/illustrator make that
happen?
LA: Well, I think they
always like to watch somebody draw – I know I do! It’s almost like a magic
show. And most kids at that age still like to draw too. It’s kind of sad when
that disappears in most people. And if you, as a writer or illustrator, are
excited about what you do, the kids catch on to that and respond
enthusiastically!
KH: We discussed deadlines and edits for
illustrators and authors. I don’t think we writers maybe appreciate what all
goes on from the artist’s perspective. Can you enlighten us?
LA: My art director, Sylvie
LeFloch, at Greenwillow (Amelia Bedelia books) is a GREAT partner! She is often
my second set of eyes, and much like an editor is to a writer. We have great
teamwork and do everything we have to do to get the work done on time. And I
have never been late for a deadline. It can get pretty intense, but I thrive on
that.
KH: How do feed your creative side? I know
you travel yearly to Paris and play bass in a blues band.
LA: Travelling to Paris is very
important to me, to recharge my artistic energy. I find when I’m there, I can’t
stop drawing. I’ll work all day, and then I go out to relax, and I’ll find
myself at a sidewalk restaurant, with my sketchbook out, DRAWING. There is so
much culture there – all kinds of art expositions, beautiful architecture,
bookstores everywhere. As far as the music, living and working alone is very
important to me, but I need to get out and be with friends too. Music is very
energizing and healing.
I was thrilled to meet Lynne and hope you have a better idea of how a master illustrator works! THANK YOU, Lynne!!!! Now go out there and climb a mountain in your patent leather shoes!
Great interview, Kathy! Thank you, Lynne, for your insights into the illustrator's process with a book. I was especially surprised with the amount of work that needs to go into the Amelia Bedelia books -- I guess like many people, I would at first think older book = less work for the illustrator. How wrong that is!
ReplyDeleteExcellent interview, Kathy and Lynne. I've read many of Lynne's books.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the support, Tina. Thanks for reading this. I was most surprised about the process for the Amelia Bedelia books.
DeleteFantastic interview! I loved hearing her advice to picture book writers and learning about the process she goes through for different projects. Excellent! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteTY, Todd, for stopping by to read. Lynne is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteKathy: How amazing that you met and interviewed Lynne Avril. Her illustrations are so playful and whimsical. I am thankful for her thoughts and tips that she shared. It is so interesting to know how the process comes together for her.
ReplyDeleteDear Kathy, Luv this interview! First, I am a big fan of illustrators but especially those whose artwork illuminates childrens' stories. I can't get enuf on their process, tips for writers on working with artists & a peek into their imaginative world. Then, Lynne's name & her titles are appreciated by me - especially the Ruby Valentine books & her rhyming story book with one of my favorite children's poets Mary Ann Hoberman - The TWO SILLIES. Thank you for finding her in Phoenix (or was it another AZ city?) & since I have relatives in AZ, perhaps I will be able to stumble upon one of her bookstore presenations some day! This is a gift post to us all.
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Holidays!
~ j a n