Talking With Artists Volume 3 by Pat Cummings

This book contains interviews with thirteen successful illustrators. What’s nice about this book is that the same questions are asked of each illustrator, so the reader has an easy time of comparing and contrasting the illustrator’s style, method, and medium. Each interview includes a drawing or painting from their childhood, as well as a picture of their pet or of themselves. Also included in each interview is one of their illustrations from one of their books. Through these simple literary elements, the reader learns where these artists work, what inspires them, and how they got their break in the business.

This book is appropriate for 4th grade readers on up to high school. Pat Cummings let’s the artists tell their story in the “My Story” section in first person, which gives the reader a personal glimpse into their lives. Also, this book used white borders on each page, which makes the text-laden pages easier to read as well as effectively using text wrapped around pictures mimicking the style of a good picture book. Perhaps the most exciting feature of this book is the Secret Techniques section where each featured artists shares a design secret that is appropriate for any level artist.

My favorite part of these interviews was the artists answer to, “How did you get to do your first book?” Several of the artists’ first big break came when they were least expecting it, or after failing several times. I love their stories of perseverance! I was a little jealous of the fact that most of the male artists seem to be very helpful with getting their children to and from school, as my husband works over an hour away, so he’s not able to help take of pick up the kids from school. I also was impressed with how many of the artists credited their getting started to their parents’ support. Peter Catalanotto mentioned that his parents let him and his brothers and sisters paint on a wall in the basement, and when the wall filled up, his parents would paint the wall white and they would fill it up again!

Key Words:
transparent, illustration board, editorial cartoons, scratcher, collage, portfolio, gouache, preparatory sketch, freelancer,