“For country, mail, and Geneviève!”
May 23rd, 2013 by jules
Last week at Kirkus, I chatted with author Matthew Olshan and illustrator Sophie Blackall, who recently collaborated on The Mighty Lalouche, released this month by Schwartz & Wade Books. That Q&A is here, and today Sophie is sharing a few sketches, some of her research images (all the vintage photos you see below), and a sneak peek inside the book. The artwork, as you can read at the Q&A, was rendered in Japanese paper dioramas, or tatebanko.
(You can click on most of these images to enlarge them, though they’re a bit blurry in spots.)
Enjoy the images and artwork.
but his hands were nimble, his legs were fast, and his arms were strong.”
but how he wished to see the brand-new city lights!”
Je suis désolé, but we’re going to have to let you go.'”
I’ll tie him in a pretty bow,’ said the Grecque.”
The bell rang out. The fight began.”
the crowd erupted in a frenzy. ‘Bravo! Bravo!’ they cried. Cameras flashed.
Lalouche’s bony arm was raised in victory.”
THE MIGHTY LALOUCHE. Copyright © 2013 by Matthew Olshan. Illustrations copyright © 2013 by Sophie Blackall. Published by Schwartz & Wade Books, New York. All images reproduced with permission of Sophie Blackall and Schwartz & Wade.
I loved watching the before and after of those amazing illustrations. Posting to Sulia with a link here. Thanks so much. I hope this wins a Caldecott!!
What a lovely treat to see these images and the process. Thanks for sharing.
I just saw this book this past weekend and I’m fascinated by the story and the art. Thanks for a behind-the-scenes look at the research and the process. The staging photo is so cool.
Jules, I LOVE this post as much as I LOVE Sophie’s artwork… it’s not a chance if I have some hanging on my walls… This book seems superb! BRAVE both of you and thanks!!
Looks like a knockout! Brava!
Wow, that’s cool stuff.
Very beautiful illustrations and enjoyed the old pictures too! Inspiring post. Very rich in detail and evokes something old in a new way. I love it!
Thank you!
Wonderful photos and collages. Such beauty and fun.
[…] then photographed and you can see more of her in progress work on the Seven Impossible Things blog, here. The details in each exquisite layer of paper are astonishing and bring the story to life […]
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