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Picture book author/illustrator Sarah Brannen

Talented author and illustrator Sarah Brannen is with us today. She is the creator of the beautiful picture book Uncle Bobby’s Wedding. Read on to see what she has to say about her books and her creative process.

Hi Sarah. Thank you so much for visiting.

When did you get started illustrating for children? What did you do before?

I’ve always been an artist; I spent a number of years pursuing painting, and showing in galleries. At the same time, I did architectural renderings to pay the bills. I had wanted to illustrate children’s books for a long time, and I finally decided to go after it seriously in 2001.

Tell us a little bit about the recent book you wrote and illustrated, Uncle Bobbie’s Wedding.

Uncle Bobby’s Wedding tells the story of a little girl and her favorite uncle. When he announces to the family that he and his boyfriend are planning to get married, Chloe is afraid that they’ll lose their close relationship. Bobby and Jamie start including Chloe in their lives together, and after she gets to know Jamie better she realizes that two uncles are better than one.

Oh, and they’re guinea pigs.

Uncle Bobby jkt-white FRONT

I understand this book caused some controversy. What happened and how did you deal with it?

Of course I knew that some people would have a problem with the Uncle Bobby’s Wedding because it shows gay people (guinea pigs) in a favorable light, and because Bobby and Jamie actually get married at the end. Same-sex marriage is legal where I live and the people I know don’t make a very big deal about it.

The book has been challenged a number of times. Usually this means that library patrons have requested that the book be removed from the shelves or shelved in a special area. I’ve gotten some hate mail and I’ve read some very nasty talk on message boards.

I wish that people would read the book before criticizing it. Also, I can deal with criticism of the book; not everyone has to like it. But I get upset when I read vicious hate directed towards gay people. That’s not ok.

UBW_pp4-5_final_small

What are you working on right now? Do you have any other books or art projects you’d like to talk about?

I’m currently illustrating a non-fiction book for Charlesbridge Publishing, Troy and the Trojan War. I’m also finishing up a book about a figure skater. I can’t announce it yet but it will be soon!

Do you do non-children’s book art (licensing, fine art, etc.) or art just for fun? Is that art similar or different from your children’s book art?

All art is fun!! I draw for pleasure whenever I can, and I sell it if people want to buy it. I’m not showing in any galleries at the moment – there just isn’t time. My watercolors are similar to my illustration. My oil paintings are quite different.

Do you illustrate full time? If not, what else do you do?

I write and illustrate full-time.

When you illustrate a picture book how do you decide what scenes and details to draw?

I read the story several times and decide on the page breaks if they’re not already determined. As I read, images come into my head. I start sketching and things develop on the paper. If I get stuck, sometimes I’ll ponder a scene or character while I’m out walking.

When illustrating picture books do you include a visual storyline not mentioned by the text or include animals or people you know?

Whenever possible, I try to add interesting details. This might include another storyline. It’s fun to use people or animals from my life in the illustrations. I haven’t done it much yet though.

Can you explain your art process?

I sketch on layers of trace. When I have a final view I do a fairly careful line drawing and scan it and turn up the contrast before I print, so the lines are really black. I trace the drawing onto watercolor paper fairly loosely, just to place all the elements. Then I redraw, hoping to maintain some of the freshness of the sketch.

My watercolor technique uses several thin glazes; it’s an old Beaux Arts technique that’s great for big washes and allows a lot of control.

Do you have a favorite color or palette?

I have some pigments I like, which probably results in a similar palette. I experiment with new ones though.

What is your favorite medium to work in? Have you always worked in this media? If not, why did you switch?

I’m happiest sitting and drawing with pencils and watercolor. I used to work in oils and I felt like it was a fight, every day. I finally decided just to use what I enjoyed most.

Did you always want to be an artist when you grew up?

There was no decision. I always knew I was an artist. My father gave me drawing lessons before I could write.

Do you use models/source pictures or do you draw from your

memory/imagination?

All three. I use all the resources I can find if I have to draw something I’m not familiar with. If I need to use photos I try to take my own. I’m a semi-professional photographer, although I mostly just take photos of figure skaters.  (http://sarahbrannen.yellapalooza.com/skating/index.html)

If you could be anything other than an artist, what would you be?

An opera singer.

What gets you through an illustration when you’re stuck for inspiration?

Like I said earlier, I just walk and walk and try to clear my head.

What book do you remember from when you were young? (list one or multiple books)

Oh, goodness, everything! I couldn’t possibly make a list.

Is there a children’s book illustrator whose work you gravitate towards in the bookstore now? (list one or multiple illustrators)

I love Brian Lies, Lizbeth Zwerger, Shaun Tan and Lisa Kopelke’s work.

If you could illustrate any writer’s new work, who would it be?

Gail Carson Levine!!! Are any art directors out there listening??

Who do you want to be when you ‘grow up’?

Exactly who I am now, with more book contracts.

Thank you again, Sarah, for your time. Best of luck with your upcoming books. I can’t wait to see them on book store shelves.

You can visit Sarah on her web site at: http://sarahbrannen.yellapalooza.com/