May 10, 2016

THE PIER FALLS - Mark Haddon

This is a continuation of our discussion with Mark on his illustrative process for his latest book The Pier Falls.

What was the most difficult subject matter to represent, and why?

These pictures were all done using a bamboo stylus and photoshop elements,
a technique i’ve used in various ways, including a couple of portraits. Here’s a picture of the writer / illustrator ted dewan, for example (top photo). But i’ve used pencil, gouache, lino, etching, acrylic paints and collage. I’ve never felt at home with oils and charcoal is * way * too messy.

Do you feel that composing your illustrations is in anyway akin to composing your words?

They feel like very different kinds of activities but the processes are similar in one vital respect. Both work only if you constantly stand back and try to look at your work with the eyes of complete stranger and ask yourself, brutally, ‘does this move me? does this entertain me?’

Which of the illustration in The Pier Falls is your favourite and why?

There is a picture of weir machinery which is very close to my heart (bottom photo).

Reflecting on the finished illustrations, does it make you re-evaluate the story?

No, but it does give me great pleasure when i leaf through the illustrated edition,
partly because it is, i think, a lovely object in and of itself and partly because it’s a celebration of the physical book in general. Paradoxically, the drawings were done largely on a screen but the finished object is something which only works when you’re holding it in your hand. Long live paper and ink…

 The Pier Falls was published by Jonathan Cape on Thursday 5th May

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