We talked to authors Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen on their picture book collaboration, “The Dark.”We asked both the author and illustrator of the book some questions about their joint effort over email. Here, they reveal the inspiration for “The Dark,” their attraction to darker themes and…
Where I Work: Jon Klassen
I worked at home for a few years after I decided to go freelance, and the novelty kind of ran its course. I missed going out in the morning, and I missed the dining room table not being full of work stuff, so I decided to rent a little studio space. This room is in an old bank building in downtown LA. It still has all the old fixtures and details from when it was built—frosted glass doors and old metal doorknobs. For illustration work it’s a great setup—lots of light and room to spread out. The only thing I miss from home is having the cat around. I’ve been seriously considering getting a fish, but I’m gone for work so often these days that I can’t even take proper care of the plant I brought in. And it’s a cactus.
Klassen’s latest picture book, The Dark with text by Lemony Snicket, will be published this week.
PROGETTO LEONARDO
{ Project Leonardo }
Villa La Loggia, in the hills just outside of Florence.Converted from an old country house by the Pazzi family in the 15th century, it is said it was in this building that in the spring of 1478 the Pazzi met to conspire against the Medici to determine the manner in which they would kill Lorenzo and Giuliano de’Medici.
Today it houses the headquarters of Italy’s most renowned publisher, Giunti, and access is restricted to staff and scheduled visitors.
There is without a doubt a sense of awe that comes with being in the same room as the National Edition of Manuscripts and Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. Not only because they are rare and extremely valuable, but because of the intense work and love for Leonardo’s legacy that went into them. The care that was taken to faithfully reproduce the individual notebooks and folios is absolutely astounding: Every ink smear, every stain and torn page, stitches, frayed edges and loose bindings - it is all there.Held in large leather bound boxes with gold tooling on the spine and cover, it is like opening a treasure trove of knowledge in more than one way, and the accompanying transcriptions and annotations by various highly respected names in the field, such as historian and Leonardo scholar Carlo Pedretti, make it easier for anyone to study Leonardo’s writings without the need of learning to read his hand.
After some discussion about Leonardo and his work, as well as my work and a very good strong coffee, I was left alone with the collection for a little over an hour to browse whichever notebooks I wanted, and photograph them as I pleased. Needless to say, it was my idea of utter bliss.
In the attached photos, you can see a few of the French Manuscripts (and letters and notes that were stuck into the books sometime in the 1800’s), the Forster Codices, the Codex Leicester (Hammer), and one of the 12 volumes that make up the Codex Atlanticus.
Special Thanks to Stefano and Ilaria from ‘Progetto Leonardo’ for allowing me access to the collection.
“After years together, he handed her a book. It was her favorite book, “Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman. She opened to the first page to find a note. “Hello Ashley… Out of interest, what would you say to marrying Brad? – Neil Gaiman” And just like that, they were engaged.”
http://veronicavaros.com/george-washington-hotel-wedding-photographer-ashley-brad/
(via sourcurlyfries)
Early book design with type. Next time you see this, it may be different, but this is a good placeholder for now.
Some quick sketches inside the books I got my friends for Christmas! (in January, ehehe)
The closing lines of The Great Gatsby handwritten by F. Scott Fitzgerald under a portrait of him drawn by Robert Kastor.
More Hamlet
#YOUR UNCLE IS AN UNBELIEVABLE DOUCHECANOE is kind of an accurate summary of the whole play
(via sourcurlyfries)
At least SOMEBODY is taking the hobbits to Isengard.
(via sourcurlyfries)
The Trio, and the scars they got along the way.
~
Man, every time I finish the books I go through a period of mourning, and this time I am self medicating with fanart.
I borrowed Hermione’s scar from the movies, I actually found that part powerful, in a awful way.
(via sourcurlyfries)
I have been working with a Mexican publishing company for the past few months to illustrate a Spanish translation of the classic American novel, “The Great Gatsby”. This is the cover, and there are 22 interior illustrations which I will post some of soon! I will also be sure to let you know when the book is available for purchase (if you’re interested, but again, it’s in Spanish).
wow dang!
(via activoir)
Plaque at St. Bart’s hospital in London.
(via sourcurlyfries)
Found this on pinterest, thought it was AWESOME! Definitely going to try this one day!
Click to enlarge photos.
from James Darrow
ahh I’m tempted to make my own pretty sketchbook <3
Vigil - Ink on claybord - 12”x16”
Here is my piece for The Book Show, a group show curated by Seb Mesnard, at Daniel Maghen Gallery in Paris (opening in july). I’m very humbled by the artist line-up (and the other pieces posted so far) and I feel very flattered to be included.
Depicted here is a scene from Neil Gaiman’s American Gods in which Ibis & Jacquel watch from afar as the Nornes take care of stuff under the World Tree.
I’d done a first version of the illustration that was closer to the action, with a more dramatic angle, but it felt a little too melodramatic. This dark and austere composition fits the mental image I had of the scene a little better I guess.
(I would like to start a petition to get Jhanelle Castillo cast as Shadow in the HBO adaptation)
(2 updates the same week. zounds)
I am absolutely in love with those lines. I need to read this book now, then.
The link to his blog! http://blog.nicolasdelort.com/
(via nicolasdelort)
I'm Madeleine, and this is a reblog blog. I draw, eat, make bad jokes, and laugh at stupid things. Maybe you do too, and maybe we can chill some time! If you'd like a directory, click "about".
