How long have you been drawing?
As far back as my memory goes I have always had the urge to completely fill everything that even faintly resembled paper, whether it was a page out of an ordinary notebook, an interesting book or an important examination. This put the people around me in utter despair.
When did you realize that you wanted to become an illustrator?
When I was eighteen years old I was convinced that I would become a very famous cartoon/comic strip illustrator in just a few months’ time. But a ‘cold shower’ at the interview I had with the children’s magazine ‘Eppo’, as it was called then, placed me with both feet back on the ground. I did keep on drawing nevertheless, but it was only three years ago that I had the feeling that my work was publishable, because a publisher showed interest in me. In January 2002 I became director of my own illustration bureau. Hopefully I will still exist as such at the end of February 2002!
Have you studied formally? What?
I went to Teachers’ College.
Who are your clients and how did they find you?
Up to now, informally, but as of January I shall have to make serious work of acquisition. Not one of my hobbies.
How do you start a job and where do you seek inspiration?
Usually I 'draw' the illustration first in my head. As soon as I am satisfied with the result there, I start to translate it onto paper. I’m inspired by practically everything around me, depends on the subject.
In what media do you prefer to work?
I usually begin by making a sketch with pencil on paper, and then by way of the light table I draw it on the right paper. I work with all sorts of materials: pencil, pen, ink, colored pencils, oil pastels, pastels, wax crayons, en of course the computer, whenever it enhances the illustration.
When is a drawing finished?
The illustration is finished when it is on a CD and on its way to the client.
What work have you been most satisfied with?
I always consider the last illustration as the best, because I always try to correct the mistakes that I made in previous ones.
What kind of project would you still like to tackle?
A picture book.
1] Rembrandt, the 'light' artist
2] W. Turner, the way in which he uses colors.
3] Uderzo, his sense of humor and feeling for details.
4] Klaas Verpancke, because of his great illustrations.
portrait: selfportrait
translation: Ellen van Boggelen-Heutink
