Fontein Uitgewery

Launch of my Picture Book

Illustrations, trees, Uncategorized

What a good feeling of holding your printed book in your hands for the first time! Last year I  took part in a children book writing contest and I got a first price for my book “Willem die Witgatboom” in the 4-6 year category. Part of the prize was the publication of the book. I made the illustrations myself and the book was launched last week Thursday during a beautiful event.

The main character in the book is Willem Witgat, a shepherd tree from the Kalahari.. Willem Witgat’s roots are very deep. He means a lot to the people and animals of the Kalahari, but then danger threatens…

In the book the children can discover the wonderful properties of the Shepherd tree: It’s cool shadow, medicinal uses, the fact that it’s roots can be used as a substitute for coffee and a lot more.

Look below at a preview:

The book can be bought at Takealot following the link below:

https://www.takealot.com/willem-die-witgatboom/PLID91973712?fbclid=IwAR2S0ci9OQfCZw11GooVVS0D4RbmQ7Ek4Z5FJehd1nAPDSHt3H3zpEF7LpM

or at: Fontein Uitgewery: 1249 Starkey Ave, Waverley, Pretoria, 0186 Phone: 082 938 0775 marlize@fonteinuitgewery.co.za

My niece with her interpretation of “Willem Witgat”.

Illustrating my first picture book

Illustrations

The one book illustrated by my brother, the other one by me.

It was very exciting to hold the first picture book I illustrated in my hands. The book is a sequel to a book my late brother illustrated. I asked them if I could use my maiden name on the front of the book as a reminder of Alex. Nice to see them together. One illustrated by Alex van Houwelingen and the other by Jenny Boon-van Houwelingen.

The book can be ordered by info@fonteinuitgewery.co.za and costs R 150.

Illustrating two children books

Illustrations

My brother Alex van Houwelingen illustrated books for “Fontein Uitgewery” in the past. After his death, they asked if I would like to illustrate two books in his place. The one book was a sequel to a book about a little fat horse, Alex had already illustrated.  I had to look closely to the characters Alex had created to ensure continuity. The other book is about a cricket that got charged with electricity after living in a socket.  

On the one hand, it was a project I was eager to do and did not want to let go of. On the other hand, it was completely outside my comfort zone. But I really enjoyed it … how nice to feel like a child again and to be able to immerse in a story and shape it according to your own imagination.

The books will be published later this month.  Can’t wait to see them…

  • In the background a page from the book Alex illustrated.
  • Making sure the environment looks the same as in the first book. Alex worked digitally, but I did it in gouache as I don’t have the advanced equipment he had.

After reading the manuscript of “Fredderiek die elektriek kriek” I was quite worried. How on earth am I going to draw a cricket hiding, dancing, sleeping etc?. I then made myself a cricket character out of clay to get a little better understanding of how I would make this work. I think it did the trick.

  • The little clay cricket I made to help me with drawing the character.