Drawing for kids: No child's play

In celebration of national children’s book month, Adarna Publishers held three art workshops at Powerbooks Megamall last Saturday. I joined the morning workshop, tried my best to outdo the kids in drawing a hand character and saw the all-out support of the Adarna team in promoting children’s literature. Aside from the teacher illustrators, the marketing team and resident storyteller Dyali Justo were on hand to get the audience enthusiastic and involved in reading. From what I saw, it does take a village to raise a child and in this case, read a book.

In this Adarna village, everyone plays a part to engage and uplift kids. In the case of artists, it is their task to get the right amount of graphic magic to attract tweens away from TV and videogames. It isn’t an easy task to be chosen, especially when Adarna only publishes four to five books a year. The toughest critic in hiring an illustrator surprisingly doesn’t come from the Adarna team but from the kids themselves. Adarna tests their upcoming books with previews from prospective artists during their school tours. These tests can have the harshest reactions, such as the drawing being too scary, grotesque maybe downright boring. Yet, it can also be rewarding as kids can be truly sincere with their praise.

After a book is published, there are the storytellers who engage kids to get buzzed about the story and pass it to other children. By paying attention to the nuances of the script, storytellers bring the books to life with subtle theatrics that their young audiences will copy, narrate to the people in their neighborhood and get them into the habit of reading.

As you can see, children’s literature isn’t child’s play. It is a tough but rewarding job to see a kid bouncing off the wall and ecstatically eager to read with a smile on his face. There is no other word to describe it but as priceless.

There is much to a child’s eyes that we adults can’t see. This is what makes the the kid’s test for illustration so difficult to beat. Yet, there will always be the chosen ones. During the art workshops, I was able to meet these chosen artists who are kid-and-critically acclaimed. They were nice enough to share some trade secrets on getting into this exclusive playground.

Ruben De Jesus, UP Fine Arts teacher

International awards in Japan and US for the children’s book Mahiyaing Manok and Ang Mga Anak ng Araw

SUPREME: How did you start as an artist?

RUBEN DE JESUS: I usually was in a corner and just drawing during my grade school days. Then, my drawings were noticed and I even did illustrations for the Ateneo yearbook. I was going to take architecture at UP (University of the Philippines), but in the middle of seeing all the math in my calculus book, I went to study visual communications at UP Fine Arts, where I teach today.

How did you start in children’s book illustration?

I attended a workshop on children’s illustration and noticed a lot of the participants were from UP. We grouped together to make Illustrador ng Kabataan (Ink) and I first made a Batibot book for Rene Villanueva.

Where do you get your inspiration?

A lot of ordinary things that I see from day to day. For kids, I look for images that appeal to the child in me as a visual bank.

Why do you love illustrating children’s books?

 I landed illustration jobs in advertising and even in an audit firm. I find children’s books more fulfilling because your art will help mold the reader in growing up. Also, it gives the opportunity for kids to have experiences even if they can’t travel much.

What’s your next project?

I’ll be showcasing my pen and ink artwork in an exhibit called Simpleng Buhay, Simpleng Kulay from July 23 to August 7 at the Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati. It is a story exhibit about simple life before computers. I hope to do more pen and ink illustrations in the future.

Hubert Fucio, Pre-school teacher artist

Philippine Board on Books for Young People for Sandosenang Kuya

SUPREME: How did you start as an artist?

HUBERT FUCIO: My dad impressed me with his doodles when I was young. When he was drawing, the images came out like magic. I kept drawing as a hobby. After high school, I went to study fine arts. I had no doubts about taking another course.

How did you start in children’s book illustration?

I won the Philippine Board on Books awards and it got me started on working for kids.

Where do you get your inspiration?

You have to have fun first. If I feel restricted, my art isn’t relaxed and the magic doesn’t come out. I’ll have to draw every day and it has to be my main meal for the day. Also, I browse bookstores for aliw designs.

Why do you love illustrating children’s books?

Kids are easy to please and I find it surprising when adults appreciate my work, too. I say that kids are easy to please especially when they are watching you draw. They like watching the process of your drawing come to life. I also find it challenging to draw new styles for a character. My next project is about a mouse. So, I find it fun to think of ways to make it stand out from the usual Mickey Mouse or Tom and Jerry design.

* * *

To find out about other National Children’s Book events, go to http://www.adarna.com.ph

* * *

E-mail me at readnow@supreme.ph