Russian Kidlit Phenom

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An Interview with Lon Levin

FOM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

When did you first think about art as something you wanted to do? Were you encouraged or discouraged by family, friends, teachers, mentors?

I was born in a family of artists. My mom and dad were both artists.During my childhood I start drawing, I used oil paints and then started figure painting as well. My favorite books were a big book of Bedosch paintings and the book of anatomy for artists. I loved to examine each tiny thing, sometimes I created stories and explanations.

At first I wanted to be a great artist, but changed it to be a great fashion designer and after that I wanted to be a character designer and illustrator. I drew from memory. I needed to go to Art School so I changed my mind

and successfully graduated Mathematics School at the University (Masters degree). It was great to study math. It opens your mind and imagination. Now that helps me in creating books for kids.

Your style is very unique. Did you work on developing a style or is that what naturally came out of you?

I think that my style is still developing. I love to try new things and techniques..to experiment. I think your style is you. It's recognizable but differs from time to time, like a living being growing and changing.

(continued)

You do a lot of whimsical art. How did that happen?

I think it’s very natural for me. I’m very curious and a little bit crazy (or maybe more than a little). I have so many questions all the time that I need to google them constantly. I can’t stand not knowing the answer. But at the same time I like to fantasize on the questions if the answer is too boring or easy. That's how my magic worlds are created with strange animals and other things.

Has the computer affected your work? Do you work traditionally and digitally?

Now my works are all made digitally, especially on my iPad. I love to draw in different places that helps me concentrate more and the people around energize

me. But sometimes I want to draw traditionally so I draw:). I also have a great hobby - hot enamel on copper. Its very traditional, a lot handwork and not only to draw but to cut copper, to anneal the copper in a furnace, to skin copper from a scale and after that you start painting. After that you need to anneal the copper plate with enamels on it and you can repeat this nearly 5-7 times. So I try to combine traditional and digital in my life.

I’m curious about how you choose what to work on. What’s does your process entail? Start to finish. Can you give us a short step-by-step?

This is very hard question. Most of the time I think I should have stopped earlier. And the great thing about digital art is that you can undo. I start with reading the text of the book

(or when I’m an author - I start with writing or searching). Oh no! First is Idea. And then creating the text. Ideas always start as a question to myself for which I have no answer. I start googling and searching. And a huge file of texts, facts and pictures start to appear. After that I try to make it simple and easy to understand. Once the text is ready I make a board of everything that's associated with this text. I need a week of thinking on the whole project. I try to see all sketches in my mind and don’t touch paper. After this period I can draw the whole book without sketches, just all finish illustration. Most of the time I have very few corrections. I combine finish illustrations with dozens of sketches. Sketches are in color and are about the color dynamic and composition rather than character creating. During this period I feel only joy. When the project comes to an end all my fears come to me at once. I calm down and try not to look at others great illustrations because I can’t be someone else.

I like to see their process of making illustrations, how they work and then try their methods.

What do you do to promote yourself and get work? Have you worked for publishers in Western countries like America, England and France? If not would you want to?

Another hard question. I have differents accounts in social media like Instagram, Facebook, Behance and even my own website. I try to post illustrations regularly. But I'm not very good at all that Social Media marketing.

I really want to work with publishers from other countries not only Western but also Eastern, like China. It’s my next step. I think I'm too shy to write them, I always think that I not good enough. But I must step over this fear and make my dreams come true.

Are you aware of America and English illustrators? Does their work influence your work?

Of Course, yes. My feed in instagram is full of great illustrators from around the world (UK, USA, Canada, Korea, Japan, China, Europe, Africa, Australia, of course, Russia and many more).

"When the project comes to an end all my fears come to me at once."

What’s the future hold for you? Any ultimate goal?

As I wrote previously I want to work with foreign publishers. Also want to illustrate 10 children’s books this year. I also want to win a contest someday (not just once!), maybe to get an Andersen award (hahaha very impossible dream). And I have a dream to write a young adult fantasy novel and illustrate it.

If you could meet anyone in the field you’re in who would it be and why?

Oh! I want to meet some of the illustrators that I follow. Right now is a period of Richard Jones for me. His texture are insane, I'm totally in love with them. Benji Davies - his stories are great, I want to create like him! Joohee Yoon - her colors and dynamics are insane, so vibrant. And last but not least Marie Muravski - her atmosphere is fantastic and magical. I'd like to meet with each illustrator because it’s a great pleasure to speak with each other.