"You are becoming impossible to work with," my agent told me over the phone one bleak day 22 years ago. I don't think I was being unreasonable; a whole year's work disintegrated before my eyes.
My latest book, "The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat" by Eugene Field had just been released by North South Books and the printing was a complete failure. My agent, the VP for the US headquarters of the Swiss publisher, was trying to let me know I was out of luck. This particular run of my book was ruined, and I had no recourse.
The worst part was that I had approved the F & Gs months before (called folded and gathered in publisher-speak. These are the proofs sent for the artist's review printed up like a softcover book). When an illustrator works on a picture book "proofs" get sent back to show you how the pictures will look once published. The artist and art director have the opportunities to make corrections before the book gets printed and distributed. In my case, I approved the proofs. They looked so good. In fact, they looked great. I was a little nervous doing a book in pencil with my last two in full color, but the copies I received put my fears to bed.
A few months later, I got a box of my books delivered.
You have got to be kidding me. I was mortified. Every page looked as if the illustrations were faded from baking in the sun for three years.
The cover looked beautiful. Opening the book, however, I flipped through the pages in utter disbelief. The whole f-ing book looked like someone spilled bleach on my pencil illustrations I had worked my ass off doing.
Here is the first page.
In the book compared to the original pencil drawing
Some things are too painful to face. My book was ruined and my agent was annoyed that I expected some kind of recompense to make things right. Apparently that wasn't going to happen.
"I'm becoming impossible to work with? What makes you say that? Maybe I'm pissed that you are taking such a cavalier attitude about my year's work and chucking all up to bad luck. Or maybe you think I should just get over it and move on? These things do happen?" I wanted to ask.
No one is more attached to a book than an illustrator. When I spend days on each illustration, I count on the fact that the publishers will see to it that my art reproduces well. Their name is on every book they release. One would think it would be to their advantage to make sure it looks as good as it can; otherwise, why bother sending out the proofs?
When "The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat" came out, I wasn’t expecting any surprises. What's the insurance policy for a botched printing job? As far as I can remember, my pencil drawings were sent to a new printer overseas at the last minute, and I never had the chance to approve their copies. Maybe they didn't bother with this crucial step. But it had a horrible impact on me as an artist. Someone fell asleep on the job, and obviously the publisher didn't feel like investing enough time or money to fix it.
This book never sold well, and I’m sure it’s because the illustrations were so washed out.
On the dust jacket flap next to the original
See the red tape on the bottom? Those notes indicate the percentage of an illustration's size reduction for print. At the time I was working about one and one half times larger than the pictures would appear in the book.
Look at the difference. The original looks a little dark here due to the outdoor light. But the ranges and depths of the greys are missing entirely
Another faded double-page spread
What a difference. So much is lost in the book. This original hangs in my hallway
When I was working in pencil, I made sure I built up layers of values (darker and lighter tones) to really make the image pop. These darkest darks were deliberately used to contrast with the white of my paper as the light areas. When I am using pencil, I make sure the illustrations are strong enough so that color isn’t missed. I used 6B pencils for those rich blacks - that's about as dark as you can get with graphite.
The book leaves out all the fine grey variances - the delicate shading on the boy's face is lost in the book
I had the best time drawing the marble on the mantle. Actually, all of it. I do love working in graphite on paper.
Book vs. original drawing
Having laid these drawings out for the purpose of this post, I find renewed enthusiasm to publish the book again by myself. I own all of the rights to my work so why not? I happen to have access to all my originals as well. I often sell my art from other books. I never sold any of these because I was so devastated by the way this book turned out. My perfectionism reared its ugly head and I couldn’t bear the thought of others thinking this book turned out the way I intended.
It took 22 years to be able to write about my bad experience with “The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat”. But I finally did it. And nothing happened; I didn't fall apart after all.
Here's what I think. I needed to take that long in order to give these illustrations a chance to live again.
I can only imagine the disappointment you faced dealing with this. There was definitely noticeable details missing in comparison to the originals. Regardless, you are very talented and you shouldn't let that bad experience keep you from continuing to work as an illustrator. Are there any other well known books that you've done the art for?
Thank you,@stoner19. The year after this book I illustrated Eugene Field's "Wynken, Blynken and Nod." In 2000, "Mother Holly" was released,and I did a post about working on a chapter book with Julie Andrews. Here's the link for that story https://steemit.com/art/@jlwkolb/what-it-was-like-working-on-a-book-with-julie-andrews
I just realized that we have a copy of the version of "Wynken, Blynken and Nod" that you illustrated. I read this book to my daughter so, so many times when she was younger. I remembered the poem fondly from my own childhood, but the beautiful illustrations were really what make reading the book (even over and over and over again, as small children are wont to demand) such a lovely experience. You're a very talented artist. Keep up the good work!
I love that you are still publishing! Your work makes me incredibly happy. I am an artist too and I look up to your work!
I'm sorry that the pages were so washed out, Too bad they couldn't at least print it on softer paper and make it a coloring book or something. That way you would have a reason to have such faded pictures.
Thank you, @kaylinart. That would have been an idea ahead of its time, unfortunately. You do coloring books, don't you?
Great post! Print results can really frustrate even mortify . I have experienced the same thing with prints on clothing...Followed btw..
Thanks, @cryptoiskey. Ooh - prints on clothing seem particularly dangerous. I guess that would be a constant fear.
Great post, @fairytalelife . I'm sorry that you had to experience this but cheers to you for both sharing your experience and considering publishing the book yourself. I think you'll find self-publishing is a better option these days. It takes a lot of work to promote but you also have to do that with traditionally published books these days. Your original illustrations are wonderful!
Thanks, Eric. I think you are right. It would have been unheard of to try that at the time.
Love it! Some of the faded ones have definitely lost something..... but I quite like Mr Clock covering his eyes faded version!!
Thanks - it was a shock. I'm glad you still like the old Dutch clock. It's not his fault they ruined his 15 minutes of fame.
wow! I am continually amazed by your posts. You're a talent to be reckoned with
Thanks, @stellabelle.
Wow the book illustrations came out so dull compared to the beaitiful contrasts in the originals. You had the right to be disappointed.
Thanks - I thought so too. I've never posted them side by side before. I just knew.
I can't imagine how frustrating and disappointing that was. I really hope you publish it again! Those drawings are incredible and they have so much depth. I think it could be something really special!
Thank you so much, @alisonleigh21. Yes, it was horrible. I might be getting brave enough to try!
It happens, sometimes they ruin pictures completely (((
I can imagine you frustration!
So, you don't know whose fault was that? Designer, printing company, or some asshole, who told designer that "the pictures should be more bright"?
@richman, probably a combination of all of those things
what an illustrations @fairytalelife !
Thank you!
Hey good for you. I think you should publish your book yourself. You can do it. You've got my Upvote today.... Keep on Steemin my friend... @kbargold
Thanks, @kbargold. I may just do that.
You've got to republish! Those are the difference between oddly perhaps unprofessional and so classic they are set behind glass to be seen for generations. Maybe you can now you can jump on some timely interest in the topic of your book. Maybe on the Alice in wonderland reboot train?
Thank you, @sorcpenz, funny you should mention that. I have a whole bunch of Alice drawings and paintings.
Very lively graphics. Thank you.
Thank you!
lovely graphics...
Thank you, @ashwim
Wow, your original illustrations were amazing! What a pity. I hope you get a chance to publish it again.
Thanks, @ema1982. I may do that.
Your illustrations are AMAZING.
Many thanks, @thebluepanda! I'm so glad you enjoy them.
Nice post, as always, @fairytalelife.
Incredible atmosphere...
Thank you, @summonerrk. That is so kind of you!
These are absolutely beautiful and it would have been a shame to give up on them. Timing is everything. Can't discount them due to that experience. Glad you've given them the opportunity to be seen and how you'd want them to be seen. Thanks for sharing your work and experience.
Thank you, @comealong. I appreciate your encouraging words. Timing is everything. I guess it wasn't the right time for that book, but it's not too late.
Heya! Was recommended to check you out by fellow dolphins! just joined the group! Definitely good to have some girls power!! These drawings are still very interesting, its always frustrating and everything good takes time! Thank you for sharing with us :) Alla x
Hi @allasyummyfood. So glad you did. Thank you. Girl power rules. We can cook, we can draw, we can write, we can grow humans - where does it end? :)
ahahah we can do anything :) X
👍great article @fairytalelife
I know the pain...I did publish my first book for children few years ago...Thank you for such a great post...Please don't give up.
Thanks for the encouragement, @margot. I think I will keep going. It's in my blood.
I can only say how I'm adimirado with his talent, and know that there people among us who was born with the gift to make a difference !
I can only say as I am delighting his talent, and I know the people there among us who were born with the gift to make a difference !
You said it didn't sell well.
Did it make it to a second printing? Is it in print now?
No, sadly not. It didn't do well at all. It has to pretty much fly off the shelves to guarantee another printing. It's been out of print for close to 21 years.
Who has the rights to it now?
I do
Then you can self-publish it and do it correctly.
Amazing, I have to say you are incredibly talented and I know with art sometimes you need the right people or support around you. it's a shame it didn't come out as intended but I'm still loving your style and creativity.
This typifies the undervaluing of art and the artist's time - makes me ill to think about. Glad you were able to process this and have a renewed energy for taking it to the next level.