Erik de Graaf Comics

Interview on Actua BD

2012-01-08T11:17:00.000-08:00

On the French comic-website Actua BD you can find an interview made by Didier Pasamonik when I was in Nerac last october. You can find it here. (Hope you speak French...).

Filmfanfare

2011-12-29T09:38:00.000-08:00

Last week I attended the presentation of the Filmfanfare pages. A lot of comic creators made their presence as did some movie directors and -producers. I showed my 'Soldaat van Oranje' page and poster and got positive reactions. Especially from producer Rob Houwer who made me very nice compliments.

Unfortunately I'm not allowed to show you something already, but this iconic picture plays an important role in my tribute.

Interview on Stripster

2011-12-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

On the nice website Stripster you can find an interview I did recently. Click here and you can find it under articles.

10th of december at Strip Turnhout

2011-12-09T13:48:00.000-08:00

On saturday the 10th of december I will attend 'Stripfestival Turnhout'. A very sympathetic festival in Belgium at which the UK is this year's country of honour. Of course I will be there to sign my books personally and... enjoy the festival.

Portfolio Scherven

2011-10-23T11:41:00.001-07:00

As I made a portfolio with 'Memories'-illustrations, I've also made one of 'Scherven'. It also consists of 13 signed pieces. You can see here which ones. If you're interested in nit, please send an email to: erikdegraafcomics@gmail.com

Scherven illustrations

2011-10-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

A series of 13 illustrations belonging to Scherven

Tribute to Yves Chaland 3

2011-10-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

Muis to Le Jeune Albert: "I still miss him everyday too".

A weekend in Nérac

2011-10-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

The scenic Nérac

Last weekend I was in Nérac (France) on the Rencontres Chaland' festival together with other artists and Yves Chaland and Klare Lijn fans. Here's a short verbal and visual diary.

Friday.

After a flight from Amsterdam to Bordeaux Yves Chalands sister, the very kind Odile, drove Zep and me to Nérac by car. She had thought of everything: sandwiches, grapes and drinks were brought to enlighten our ride. After arrival in Nérac and meeting some of the artists there was a tour through the village with schoolchildren, during which the kids were learned some drawing skills.

Dominique Corbasson drawing with the children of Nérac

During the tour we also saw the beautiful drawings of François Avril, presented on the wall of the village.

'Carnet de Nérac' by François Avril

Around 8 that evening, the festival was officially opened with a cocktail party. There old friends met again and new ones were made. After this a concert started in front of the castle. Several (BD)artists came on stage to show their musical talent in a vibrant rockshow. What is it with comics and music?

Zep rocks!

Charles Berberian: comics and music

Saturday

Saturday started with an early signing-session. At ten o'clock the fans were there to buy their favorite books and get a 'dédidace' of the artist.

Saturday signing

I experienced that this was a very friendly festival with a high 'family-feel'. Not only fans were there, but also well-known artists like f.i. Serge Clerc, Charles Berberian and Stanislas.

Serge Clerc

Charles Berberian with Jeux de mémoire

(photo: Didier Pasamonik)

During the rest of the day I visited some exhibitions and at the end of the afternoon there was another signing session. The day ended with dinner which the artists and several fans enjoyed together.

'Highstreet' in Nérac

Sunday

A day filled with more signing, more exhibitions, readings and lunch. A lot to do and to see: a discussion about comics and music, a Tillieux-exhibition, a Chaland exhibition etc...

Antonio Lapone and Cleet Boris

Outside lunch: Didier Pasamonik, Antonio Lapone and Virginie Vertonghen

Sunday evening we remained with a small group after a lot of people already had left. We had our final dinner at a nice restaurant to celebrate the fantastic weekend we had together. I hope to go back one day!

Tribute to Zep

2011-10-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Zep, worldfamous in France with his character Titeuf, is this years guest of honor at 'Rencontres Chaland'. This is my tribute to him.

Portfolio Memories

2011-09-29T12:07:00.001-07:00

A while ago some of my 'fans' asked me if I could make them a portfolio with prints of illustrations I've made. It seemed interesting to me so I made one by hand that consists 13 signed pieces related to my 'Memories-trilogy'. The material I used fits nicely to the atmosphere of the drawings and of course the portfolio is finished with a personal signed drawing. If you click here you can see which illustrations are in. And if you're also interested, please send me an email: erikdegraafcomics@gmail.com

Finally!

2011-09-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

After pencilling the first fifty pages of the sequel on 'Scherven', I've just done the line-art of the first page!

Rencontres Chaland 2011

2011-09-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

I'm very proud that I can tell you that I'm invited to attend Rencontres Chaland at Nerac, France.

This festival is a tribute to my big inspirator Yves Chaland, who sadly died in 1990. Nerac is his place of birth and his widow Isabelle Chaland organises the festival -together with friends- for the fourth time this year. I'm really excited that I will be there from the 7th to 10th of october with great artists like François Avril, Ted Benoit, Charles Berberian, Serge Clerc, Andre Juillard, Antonio Lapone and many others. This years guest of hounour is Zep. I will keep you posted!

Comic-art Fair, 10th of september, Design museum, Breda

2011-09-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

Coming saturday I will attend The Comic-artfair Breda (at the Designmuseum). I will bring all kind of different stuff: my books, which I will sign personally for you. All kind of signed prints, framed prints and sets of postcards. Hope to see you there!

Tribute to Yves Chaland 2

2011-09-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

I discovered Yves Chaland through his detective-story Bob Fish. A good looking guy dressed like a real P.I. Also two of his other characters: Le Jeune Albert, a sometimes mean little boy from Brussels and Adolphus Claar, the scientist. This is my tribute to them and their creator.

Comic-art Fair, 10th of september,Design museum, Breda

2011-08-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

On saturday 10th of september I will participate at the Comic-Art Fair at the Design museum Breda. The Art Fair is part of the 'Breda-Stripdagen' and artists will sell and sign their work.

I will bring my books, prints and postcards (I will be more specific about that within a couple of days). The Design Museum will also show the works of Peter Pontiac and is located at the Boschstraat 22, Breda and opens at 10 o'clock. See you there!

Tribute to Yves Chaland 1

2011-08-21T05:27:00.000-07:00

My great example and inspirator as a comic-artist has always been Yves Chaland. When I saw his drawings for the first time I thought: "that's how comics have to be drawn". I have collected all his books, portfolio's and some statues of his characters.

I felt really sad when he died in 1990 on the peripherique of Paris: one of the greatest French comic-artists had passed away. During my summer-holidays I have made some tribute-illustrations of his characters. First Freddy Lombard, Sweep and Dina.

On Facebook!

2011-07-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

Erik de Graaf Comics is on Facebook now! Become a fan here!

Memory of Holland to Beijing Bookfair

2011-07-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

Together with 19 other contributions 'Memory of Holland' -based on the poem of H. Marsman- is selected to be exhibited on this years Beijing Bookfair. The project 'Mooi is dat' will travel to Asia and 20 contributions will be shown, together with the sketches made by the artists, as part of the promotion of Dutch literature. The bookfair takes place from august 31th till september 4th.

Graphic Novels in Vrij Nederland

2011-07-15T03:54:00.000-07:00

You can find an interesting special about Graphic Novels in this weeks magazine 'Vrij Nederland' with an interview with Joe Sacco and a lot of book reviews. Also Scherven is reviewed and gets 3*** out of 5*****.

Grebbeberg for 'X was hier'

2011-06-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Finally I can show you the comic I have made for the 'X was hier' project of the National History Museum. The website is ready and you can take a look at all contributions.

The one I have done is about the 'Grebbeberg', part of 'the Dutch Waterline', which was a defending line against enemies. During the first 5 days of the Second Worldwar there were heavy fights between the Dutch and German army. I have combined the landscape of 'the Grebbeberg' -put under water as a part of the defending system- and images of every day in may 1940 during the fights. If you go the 'X was hier' website and click on the thumbnail of my comic you also can zoom in on the details.

Scherven will be published in Spanish!

2011-05-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to announce that Sins Entido will publish Scherven in Spanish. Sins Entido is publisher of f.i. Mariscal, Seth, David B., Gipi and Posy Simmonds. The Spanish edition of Scherven is planned for 2012.

Comic for Dutch National History Museum

2011-05-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

Every year the Dutch National History Museum has a special project. This year's one is about water and land, called 'X was hier'. Initiated by comic-intendant Gert Jan Pos, 45 artists were asked to contribute a comic about one of the places that is enlighted in the project. My choice was the 'Grebbeberg', well known because of the hard fights during the first days of the Second Worldwar.

The 'Grebbeberg' was part of a defense-mechanism against enemies used for ages that was called 'the Dutch Waterline'. The mechanism was simple: when there was a foreign threat, dams were opened to let in the water, some 40-50 centimeters, which made it impossible to invade the country. The 'Grebbeberg' was a hill in that 'Dutch waterline'.

During the mobilization in 1939 the land was put under water and when the Germans invaded Holland in may 1940, soldiers from both armies fought for 5 days on the 'Grebbeberg'. Fights in which more than 400 Dutch soldiers were killed. This story inspired me and this is my final sketch.

Within a few days I will show you the final comic. The work of all artists will be shown on the website of the museum and there are plans for a book.

Presentation Scherven coming thursday

2011-04-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

Next thursday, 28th of april, I will give a presentation with slides about Scherven in Amsterdam. It's part of a so-called Ignite evening about 'resistance' initiated by Mediamatic, a cultural organisation.

You can read more about this evening here. Doors open at 8pm and the first speaker kicks of at 8.30pm. Location: Mediamatic Bank, Vijzelstraat 68, Amsterdam. Tickets: € 7,- Enjoy!

Ex Libris

2011-04-10T04:52:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago a reader of my books asked me to make an Ex Libris as a birthday present for his wife. He prefered something with her first letters (C M S), high heels and of course books. As her birthday was on the 31st of march I can now show you the result, printed in warm grey and supported by two different colors.

New review Jeux de mémoire

2011-03-13T05:44:00.000-07:00

A very nice review on Jeux de mémoire by 'La Cité internationale de la bande dessinée et de l'image' from Angouleme, capital of comics in France.

Quote (translated): "a touching and original book, a brilliant artist to be discovered".

Tribute

2011-02-27T03:55:00.000-08:00

During the seventies Sjef van Oekel was a TV-personality created by Wim T. Schippers. He was a clumsy, chaotic character that became very popular because of his jokes and typical way of talking. In 1976 he even got his own comic created by Schippers and the Dutch Klare Lijn artist Theo van den Boogaard. The comic also became very popular and was even translated to other countries, although the stories and jokes were very Dutch.

Next april a second collection of the Van Oekel comics will appear and the publisher asked several Klare Lijn artists -like Joost Swarte and Hanco Kolk- to create a tribute to the character and Van den Boogaard. I already can show you my creation, in which you can discover somebody familiar...

Review Jeux de mémoire

2011-02-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

On the website wmaker David Fournol has written a very nice review on Jeux de mémoire.

Okay, it's in French, but since I can understand the language I can read that he is quite positive about the book. The most beautiful compliment (translated) for me:

"You have the same dream as Muis (=maincharacter) when he wants his grandmother to make him a Batman suit. You feel the same fear when Muis is hunted by a dog at a car-graveyard. You laugh together with Muis when he discovers his granddad's miracle-product to get muscles is a joke".

For those who like to read the complete review in French, click here.

Angouleme 2011

2011-01-31T10:55:00.000-08:00

The last four days I was at the Comic-festival of Angouleme, invited by my Canadian editor La Pasteque. I arrived on thursday-night and joined dinner with the guys of La Pasteque, Martin and Fréderic, and the artists Liniers and Yves Pelletier.

The welcome was very friendly and after dinner we went for a drink at 'Le chat noir' where we met some artists from all over Europe.

The next morning I did my first book signing at the La Pasteque booth. As I it was my first visit to the festival, I could see now the enormous popularity of comics in France: what a lot of books, what a lot of people! I signed a good number of books and got friendly compliments from visitors.

In the afternoon I went to the Baru-exhibition, I saw the work of Dominique Goblet and looked for some new books at the store of the museum. That night -after a reception at the Belgium booth- I was invited for dinner by Hansje and Mara of Oog & Blik together with Joost Swarte and Willem (what a company!). We had a good meal, a lot of fun and I was informed about the interest for my books by foreign editors (I will let you know more soon!).

On Saturday I also had a signing-session and I experienced that the town was even more crowded than the days before. I also took some time to get a better look at some of the booths, but as I said, there was so much to see that it was hard to make a choice. In the evening we had dinner with the people of La Pasteque again, including the artists Liniers, Pascal Girard, Michel Rabagliati and Yves Pelletier. It was a good evening and we had a lot of fun and interesting discussions.

On the next day (sunday) I did an early signing session. La Pasteque was happy with number of my books they had sold. Around noon I went to the train station together with Liniers. He had to take a train to the airport to get a plane to Buenos Aires and I traveled back to Rotterdam.

It were great days and I found it a tremendous experience. Being in Angouleme made me feel that comics really matter, at least in France.

To the Angouleme festival!

2011-01-23T11:40:00.000-08:00

This thursday I will leave for the comic-festival of Angouleme. My Canadian editor La Pasteque has invited me to join them at the biggest comic-festival of Europe to sign my newest French book 'Jeux de mémoire'. It came out in France two weeks ago. I've never been at the festival and I'm really looking forward to it. Both artists Michel Rabagliati and Pascal Girard from La Pasteque will also be there.

I will be signing 'Jeux de mémoire' on friday from 11 to 13 hrs, on saturday from 12 to 14 hrs and on sunday from 10 to 12 hrs. The venue is 'Le nouveau monde'.

For those who are curious about my French book, you can take a look here:

I've also found a first French review (and it's rather positive!) for those who can read French.

In a next post I will tell (and hopefully show) you more about my days in Angouleme.

Small interview on Strip Turnhout

2010-12-30T08:33:00.000-08:00

On the nice and interesting website of Strip Turnhout you can find a small article abou my recent activities. Click here.

Scherven will be translated!

2010-12-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

Provisory cover

After my 'Memories'-trilogy has been translated in French by the Canadian editor La Pasteque as 'Jeux de mémoire', they have also decided to publish 'Scherven' in the same language. And again I'm very proud! La Pasteque has planned the book to appear early 2012. I will keep you posted.

Exhibition 'Mooi is dat!'

2010-11-21T06:17:00.000-08:00

Since the 13th of november the pages of 'Mooi is dat!' are exhibited in the Amsterdam Library.

The exhibition also includes original work and sketches of the artists and will last till the 16th of january 2011. After it will start a journey which begins at the Stripmuseum in Brussels, Belgium.

Memory of Holland

2010-11-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

As I've written before my contribution to 'Mooi is dat!' is my visual interpretation of the beautiful poem 'Memory of Holland' by Hendrik Marsman. It was written in 1936 and describes the beauty but also the threat of the Dutch landscape and nature. The poem was chosen as the most popular one of the 20th century.

Memory of Holland

Thinking of Holland

I see wide-flowing rivers

slowly traversing

infinite plains,

inconceivably

rarefied poplars

like lofty plumes

on the skyline in lanes;

and submerged in the vastness

of unbounded spaces

the farmhouses

strewn over the land,

tree clumps, villages,

truncated towers,

churches and elm trees -

all wondrously planned.

the sky hangs low

and slowly the sun by

mists of all colours

is stifled and greyed

and in all the regions

the voice of the water

with its endless disasters

is feared and obeyed.

When I read the poem I could recognize the wideness and beauty of the Dutch landscape, but I also felt the threat in Marsman's words, growing and growing with every strophe. I have tried to translate that feeling in the imagery and colours of my artwork.

In the last strophe Marsman describes the danger of the water that is everywhere. There it became even more interesting for me. Because Marsman and his wife fled from France by boat at the beginning of the Second Worldwar. But their ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat and Marsman died, swallowed by... the water.

That's why I have drawn a small story in the margin where you can see Marsman's last minutes. Finally the two stories come together 'in water'.

If you're interested in a signed print of this work (size 28,5 x 40,0 cm), prize 20,- euro's (shipping costs not included), please send me an email: erikdegraafcomics@gmail.com

Utrecht, 6th of november

2010-11-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

Last saturday I was at 'de Kunststripbeurs' in Utrecht with my books, prints, postcards and other stuff. This happening in the 'Janskerk' is a very nice way for comicartists to meet a new public.

For the visitors there was a lot to discover: well known artists like Joost Swarte, Hanco Kolk and Maaike Hartjes, but also upcoming talents like Aimé de Jong and Martijn van Santen.

The doors opened at ten o'clock but the start was quite slow. Around one o'clock more people came in and I had a busy afternoon signing and selling my stuff.

At two o'clock 'Mooi is dat!' was presented and after that I could also sell signed prints of my contribution to the book. I got very positive reactions on it.

But my moment of the day was meeting Javier Mariscal who gave me beautiful compliments about my work. He made my day!

Impression Comic Artfair Utrecht!

2010-11-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

Journalist Michael Minneboo made a nice (movie) impression of the 'Kunststripbeurs' of last saturday in Utrecht.

Take a look here!

Next sturday, don't forget: Comics-art fair in Utrecht

2010-11-04T13:48:00.001-07:00

I just want to remind you that this saturday, 6th of november, I will be at the 'Kunststripbeurs' at the Janskerk in Utrecht. Doors open at 10 o'clock. I will bring all my books, and sign them personally for you if you like, postcards and several colorprints.

After the presentation of 'Mooi is dat' at 2 o'clock I will also sell signed prints of my contribution to the book: 'Denkend aan Holland'.

Hope to see you there!

Presentation 'Mooi is dat!'

2010-10-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

On the 'Kunststripbeurs' in the Janskerk in Utrecht next saturday (6th of november), 'Mooi is dat!' will be presented. I've written about it before. It's a book with more than fifty highlights from Dutch literature, translated in a one page-comic.

Editor Gert Jan Pos also asked me to contribute and I made my interpretation of the poem 'Denkend aan Holland' from Hendrik Marsman.

Yesterday there was already a praising article in NRC Handelsblad in which my contribution -together with other ones- was described and -partly- shown.

I can also show you the cover, beautifully designed by Ruben Steeman (who did the complete book).

What I have seen of the book is really great, a kaleidoscope of styles of the invited Dutch and Belgian artists.

After the 'Kunststripbeurs' I will show my complete contribution on this blog.

Comic-art Fair, 6th of november, Janskerk, Utrecht

2010-10-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

On saturday the 6th of november I will be at the 'Kunststripbeurs, Janskerk, Janskerkhof 26, Utrecht. It is a fair where comic-artists will sell their work, like books, prints, original artwork etc.... I will bring all of my books. 'Verbleekte Herinneringen', 'Gekleurd Geheugen', 'Gevonden Verleden' and 'Ingelijste Herinneringen' will be reasonably priced.

I will also sell 'Verzamelde Herinneringen' and 'Scherven'. And of course your book will be signed personally. Apart from my books you can find sets of postcards and various signed full colour prints, also fairly priced.

The doors of the church will open at ten o'clock and close at five o'clock. I hope to meet you there!

Framed Memories

2010-09-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I had an exhibition at Gallery Lambiek in Amsterdam showing drawings that fitted my 'Memories trilogy'. They also appeared in the small book 'Ingelijste Herinneringen', which came out in a signed and limited edition. The booklet is still available (send me an email if you're interested). In 2008 I showed the same drawings together with my 'Scherven portraits' at Lilys Gallery in the Hague. Now I also like to show my Framed Memories on this blog.

Indian summer 1969

'Ooievaarskuitenvet'

Have a bite

The first time

Christmas 1965

Old newspapers

Snuitje

Snuitje?

Pep

Fridaynight

Willem 2

Bazooka Joe

3 Corners penalty

Stripdagen Houten

2010-09-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm a bit late. But tomorrow (25th of september) I will be signing Scherven (and my other books) at the Oog & Blik stand in Houten. If you consider to come don't hesitate and drop by! It will be a pleasure to sign a book for you and make a small drawing.

Scherven Portraits

2010-09-19T07:29:00.001-07:00

Before I started drawing Scherven I had made portraits of all main characters. Not traditional portaits, but drawings combined with all kind of elements that tell something about each person. In the portraits I also have tried to bring in the atmosphere of the forties.

Victor

Esther

Chris

Corné

Maas

Vrouw Maas

Krijn

Dingeman

Pieter

Meester Rozenberg

Geert

Daams

My inspiration map

2010-09-11T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I saw something really nice on Forbidden Planet's weblog. An artist had made his Inspiration Map, in which he showed the artists that had had influence on his work. It inspired me to make mine.

For me it all started when I studied at the Academy of Arts in Rotterdam in the 80's. A fellow student made me discover artists like Joost Swarte (1) and Ever Meulen (2). Exponents of the underground comics in the Lowlands at that time. I was really impressed by both their 'Klare Lijn' style. After that I discovered more and more artists I started to admire. Especially 'Atomic style' artists like Daniël Torres (4), Floc'h,(5), Serge Clerc (6) and Yves Chaland (3). When I saw his work, something started to grow inside of me: one day I wanted to make my own comics, preferably in a style like Chaland. He still is my greatest example with his elegant and flowing style. I still find it a great loss that he lost his life at the 'periferique' of Paris at the 18th of july, 1990.

In the nineties I got to know artists like Seth (7), Chris Ware (8), Michel Rabagliati (9) and Adrian Tomine (10).All with their own characteristics and qualities. I admire the atmoshere and refinement of Seths work, the innovative and detailed style of Ware, the very acessible and sympathetic artwork of Michel Rabagliati and the strong stories and drawings of Adrian Tomine.

All named artists named inspired and influenced me in a way. It started in the Lowlands, moved more to the south (France and Spain) and then ended on the other side of the ocean (Unites States and Canada). Of course I'm also inspired by other work, but for me these ten comic artists are the most important inspirators that made and make me do what I do now. Hopefully one day I will come a little bit closer to their level.

Proud to present...

2010-08-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Last week I received the first printed copies of 'Jeux de mémoire' edited by La Pasteque. I'm very proud of it, it looks marvelous. A hardcover edition, 148 pages, beautifully designed by the people of La Pasteque.

'Jeux de mémoire' will appear first in Quebec (Canada) next october and after that in France, january next year.

I'm also invited by La Pasteque to attend the Angouleme-festival to sign my debut in France. I'm really looking forward to it!

Mooi is dat!

2010-08-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

One reason I was so busy during the last weeks: a project called 'Mooi is dat!'. It's an idea from Gert Jan Pos (Hollands Comics-promotor), a book with the fifty higlights of Dutch literature, but then translated in images by fifty Dutch and Flemish artists. And I will be one of them, which I think is an honour. Some other artists are: Joost Swarte, Erik Kriek, Guido van Driel, Pieter de Poortere, Randall C. etc...

Every artist has chosen his favorite piece. Mine is the poem 'Denkend aan Holland' by Hendrik Marsman. A legendary poem which describes in a beautiful, but also threatening way the Dutch landscape. 'Denkend aan Holland' was chosen as the favorite poem of the 20th century. Really an honour for me to draw it... in one page.

My page is finished, but I can't show it be fore the book is published. 'Mooi is dat!' will be presented beginning of november and there will be a (travelling) expo that starts in the Library of Amsterdam.

Reactions on Scherven

2010-08-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

It's a while ago that I posted something. I have been busy (see next post) and have had my holidays. But here I am again. More than 2 months ago I was on the Haarlem Comic-festival to sign 'Scherven'. It's always nice to be there. I was quite busy signing books and got compliments from people who already had read it. I also must say that there was quite a lot of publicity around the book.

There has been written about it in Dutch and Belgian newspapers, in Comic magazines in both countries and on several websites. I have also done some interviews for magazines and radio. The reviews were mainly positive to very positive, and I am -off course- very happy with that. But I also enjoy reactions of readers I got, like: "I felt sorry the book ended" and "When will Book Two appear?" Great!

If you want to read some quotes read this post. I hope I can bring you some more news about 'Scherven' within a few weeks...

5th and 6th of june: Stripdagen Haarlem

2010-05-30T00:43:00.000-07:00

Next saturday and sunday, on the 5th and 6th of june, you can visit the 'Stripdagen Haarlem'. Always a nice festival with national and international (f.i. Chris Ware and Charles Burns) artists.

I will be there both saturday and sunday to sign my book Scherven. You can find me at the Oog & Blik | De Bezige Bij stand in the Philharmonie, Lange Begijnstraat 11. I hope to see you there!

The press about Scherven

2010-05-23T04:13:00.000-07:00

The press has payed a lot of attention to Scherven already. Here are some quotes:

Nederlandse schrijvende pers

"Een prachtig via flashbacks verteld verhaal, dat bovendien van prachtige

tekeningen is voorzien" - Metro

"Bij Scherven ging vooral veel tijd zitten in het ingenieuze scenario" - Het Parool

"De Graafs tekeningen roepen door hun eenvoud de sfeer van toen goed op" - Algemeen Dagblad

"De Graaf besteedt veel aandacht aan de esthetiek van zijn beelden, waardoor hij sfeervolle inkleuringen gebruikt en met een mooie rafelige toets werkt" - De Volkskrant

"Geslaagde combinatie van tekeningen, collages, familiefoto's en dagboekaantekeningen" - Esta

Nederlandse radio

"Zo tover je uit dat soort hele kleine dingen, alledaagse dingen een heel mooi verhaal tevoorschijn" - VPRO's De Avonden, Radio 6

"'t Zijn prachtige tekeningen en je hebt de sfeer van de tijd weten te pakken" -

Chris natuurlijk, Radio Rijnmond

Belgische schrijvende pers

"Over deze chaotische meidagen maakte Erik de Graaf (48) een boeiend album: Scherven" -De Standaard

"Uit de verhalen van zijn grootouders distilleerde Erik de Graaf een boeiend verslag over de begindagen van de Tweede Wereldoorlog" - Nieuwsblad.be

"De aanblik van een pagina van de Graaf is volstrekt uniek en herkenbaar, wat hem bijvoorbeeld al een publicatie bij de prestigieuze Canadese uitgever Drawn and Quarterly opleverde" - Focus Knack

Nederlandse en Belgische strip-pers

"Wie aan deze vertelling begint met het idee dat het zoveelste verhaal over de Tweede Wereldoorlog nauwelijks nog boeiend kan zijn, heeft het mis. Met ogenschijnlijk simpele tekeningen, goed gekozen scenes en een sober maar efficiënt gekozen kleurpalet trekt Erik de Graaf je het verhaal in en weet hij je aandacht vast te houden tot aan het einde van het eerste deel..." - ZozoLala

"Het mooie trage tempo waarin het verhaal zich ontvouwt versterkt de verstilde onderkoeling van zijn tekenstijl, waardoor hij juist dieper onder de huid komt. De nachtmerrie is voelbaar" - Zone 5300

"Het voorlopige resultaat van deze expeditie in de tijd, die met veelvuldige flashbacks niettemin een soms bedrieglijke rust lijkt uit te stralen, mag zeker geslaagd worden genoemd-en doet uitzien naar meer" - Stripschrift

"Fraai boek en zeer passend in deze meidagen" - Het Stripschap

"Deze strip mag nu al tot één van de klassiekers gerekend worden..." - Stripinfo.be

Nederlandse en Belgische websites en webmagazines

"Een erg mooi vormgegeven boek en een prachtig tijdsdocument" - 8weekly

"Scherven bewijst dat de vele beloftes na zijn eerste albums niet zonder gevolgen zijn gebleven. Het album behoort nu al tot de toppers van 2010" - Goddeau.com

"Scherven is een prachtige beeldroman over het verliezen van liefde en vriendschap tijdens Wereldoorlog Twee" - CJP.be

Book presentation at Yendor well visited

2010-05-02T05:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon my new book Scherven was presented at Yendor in Rotterdam. After a very kind welcome-speech of Mara of Oog & Blik/De Bezige Bij I presented the first two copies to my cousins Dick and Johan. Their fathers fought at my grandparents village at the beginning of the Second Worldwar. I used parts of their story in Scherven.

My cousin Dick also had beautiful words about my grandmother, grandfather and mother and how his father Cor felt very much at home at their little house in those frightening days.

After that I started signing my books for a couple of hours in a very nice atmosphere. There were a lot of people and I ended the afternoon at almost fifty signed books.

I enjoyed the presentation very much and I'm happy with all the kind words about my work and my new book!

Interview at Radio Rijnmond

2010-05-02T05:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at the 1st of may I was interviewed at Radio Rijnmond about Scherven by the kind Chris Vemer. You can download the podcast here if you want to listen to it.

The making of Scherven part 4

2010-04-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

In this last part on Stripspeciaalzaak I explain and show how the cover of Scherven was created.

If you want to read and see it, go to Stripspeciaalzaak.be and enjoy!

Interview on Radio 6

2010-04-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Last saturday I had a very nice interview on Radio 6 with Wim Brand in his programm 'De Avonden'. If you want to listen click here and go to the website of 'De Avonden'.

On Radio 6

2010-04-23T02:41:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning (24th of april) between 11 and 12 o'clock I will be on Radio 6 to talk about Scherven. It's a live program called 'De Avonden, de zaterdageditie'. If you want to listen you can tune in on Radio 6's website.

Extra reason to come to Yendor on the 1st of may

2010-04-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

There is an extra reason to come to Yendor on the 1st of may. Not only you can buy a signed copy of Scherven, but it will be accompanied by a numbered and signed ex-libris, made especially for this occasion. So don't miss it and write the date in your diary!

The making of Scherven part 3

2010-04-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

In part 3 of the making of Scherven on Stripspeciaalzaak I tell and show something about how I brought emotion into the story and tried to do that as powerful as possible. Take a look at their site here!

1 st of may, 13.00 hours, Yendor, Rotterdam

2010-04-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

On the 1st of may I will be at comic-shop Yendor in Rotterdam to sign my new book Scherven. The happening will start at 13.00 hours and lasts for the whole afternoon till 17.00 hours.

You can find Yendor at Korte Hoogstraat 16. Take a look at their website. And of course you're welcome!

Scherven already in Comic-shops

2010-04-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

Scherven has arrived in the Dutch and Belgian comic-shops. Next week it can be found the regular book-stores. The price is lower than it was announced previously: Euro 22,90 for a 264 pages book.

The Making of Scherven part 2

2010-04-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

The second part about making Scherven is now on line. Surf to the site of Stripspeciaalzaak and read about the use of different color-palets and discover how I was inspired!

The Making of Scherven part 1

2010-04-05T04:13:00.000-07:00

The great comic website Stripspeciaalzaak has given me the possibility to show how I made Scherven. From this week-end on I will tell and show different aspects of the development of the book. And on every saturday in the next 3 weeks there will appear a new part.

In this first sequence, which is called 'the story behind the story', you can read and see how I started the story and how I used real experiences of a World War 2 soldier, my uncle Gijs.

Go and see at Stripspeciaalzaak.be

Scherven printed!

2010-04-05T04:05:00.000-07:00

Last monday I woke up very early and went to Gent in Belgium. My book Scherven was going to be printed there at New Goff. Years ago you always would get a print-proof to approve the colors. Nowadays, with all the modern techniques, you just get a print of the digital files. I thought it would be better for my nerves to go to see if the colors matched my ideas. And I was not disappointed: the printwork looked tremendous! I think the books will be delivered this week and I am looking forward to it.

Title Change

2010-04-05T03:58:00.000-07:00

My Memories-trilogy is now translated in French. The translator also suggested to change the title of the book. From 'Souvenirs Perdus' to 'Jeux de Mémoire'. Although I liked the first title and got used to it, I must say I also love 'Jeux de Mémoire' and think it sounds a bit lighter and fits better to the character of the stories.

Pre-Announcement

2010-03-28T05:04:00.000-07:00

Now that I have finished Scherven (Splinters) I'm busy doing the preparation of the introduction of the book. Both Oog & Blik and De Bezige Bij are informing the press. I've been asked to do a signing-session on the 1st of may at comic-shop Yendor in Rotterdam to present the book. I have designed some material for that event. To start with an pre-announcement. There are two versions of it, which are both used. In the next weeks I will show you the real announcement and the poster.

I have base one of the versions on the look and feel of the propaganda-posters which were used during the Second Worldwar. The other looks more like a package with secret information in it.

Seth

2010-03-28T04:44:00.000-07:00

The Canadian cartoonist Seth has been one my top-favorite artists for along time. I share his love for the nostalgic and I admire his beautiful artwork. Seth has published some books like 'It's a good life if you don't weaken', 'Clyde Fans', 'Wimbledon Green' and his tremendous 'Vernicular Drawings' as well as the anthology 'Palookaville'. Not long ago 'George Sprott' came out. A king size book about the fictive George Sprott. Filled with short stories, interviews, large drawings and card-board buildings, made by Seth himself. I find this book a masterpiece and want to show you some pages. If you want to experience it yourself: buy it!

Tomas Ross quotes on cover!

2010-03-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of the Dutch thriller-writer Tomas Ross for a long time. He has written an amount of books and scripts for Tv which they call faction: stories that are a combination of facts and fiction. What I didn't know is that Tomas Ross also likes comics.

Because I admire his work I'm very proud that he praises my new book Scherven on the back-cover:

'Een fantastisch tijdsbeeld van de eerste oorlogsdagen. In zijn unieke, sobere teken- en vertelstijl roept Erik de Graaf met een perfect gevoel voor detail na zeventig jaar nog de sfeer van toen op alsof het pas gisteren was!'

Scherven finished!

2010-03-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Five years ago I started working on my book Scherven. Apart from my full-time job I worked on it during the evening hours and week-ends. Last week I have send the digital files to the printer in Belgium. The book will come out at the end of april, just before Liberation-day.

I am happy it's finished, especially the last months I've worked very hard on it. The first reactions I get are very positive!

Oog & Blik and de Bezige Bij are managing all publicity, so I'm curious what will come out of that. I can already say that there will be a book-presentation and that I will give some background information and insights about the book on the website Stripspeciaalzaak every saturday in april. I will come back with more details later!

Follower

2010-03-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

I realise that it's too long ago that I've posted a message on my blog. But I hope the excuse is valid: I've worked extremely hard to finish my book Scherven.

The book is at the printer now and it will come out at end of april, just before the 65th birthday of Hollands liberation from the Germans, a good moment I think.

Although the amount of visitors of my weblog grows bit by bit, it would be nice if more people came by. I promise I will post more frequently again from now on.

The nicest thing would be if you would become a FOLLOWER, you can subscribe on the right of this post. And it also would be very kind if you could send my blog-adress to other people who you think might like it. Thanks in advance!

Congratulations!

2010-03-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

One of my favorit authors since a couple of years is Michel Rabagliati. I love his Paul-stories and the way he draws them. At the famous Angouleme-festival the last Paul-book- 'Paul a Quebec'- was awarded with the 'Fauve Fnac/SNCF-Pris du Public'. Congratulations for Michel Rabagliati!

An advice from me: try to find the Paul-books, some are translated in English, some in Dutch.

Scherven announced

2009-12-29T10:27:00.000-08:00

My new book Scherven is now announced in the beautiful designed catalogue of de Bezige Bij and Oog & Blik for spring next year! Together with new books of Daniel Clowes, Robert Crumb and Joost Swarte it is planned to appear in may. A good moment, because may 2010 means 65 years of freedom for Holland after the Second Worldwar. And at the 4th, 5th and 6h of june there are the famous Stripdagen in Haarlem. I'm really looking forward to it!

Cover for Scherven

2009-12-29T09:43:00.000-08:00

Currently I'm still working hard on Splinters (the Dutch title is Scherven). I am coloring the last set of pages, put in the text at those pages, create the titlepage etc.... In other words, still a lot to do. I hope to finish the book around the end of january. The planning is it will appear in may 2010.

In the meanwhile I like to show you the cover as it is now (It might slightly change in the next weeks). On the illustration you see Victor biking away from his village. In the background a formation of bombers, on its way to bring destruction. It is an image taken from one of the last scenes of the book and is made in a graphic style that refers to the propaganda posters that appeared during wartime. Also the use colors on the cover refers to that period as does the typography. Not only in the book but also on the cover I try to catch the atmosphere of the war as good as I can.

Cover Souvenirs Perdus

2009-12-29T09:25:00.000-08:00

Lately I have finished the reworking of the stories that are going to appear in Souvenirs Perdus (I showed you some in my last post). Now I can show you the provisory cover of the book. The design is made by the graphic designer of La Pasteque. He has created a clean, strong lay-out in which Muis, showing his biceps, plays the mainrole.The used colors are crisp and clean, just as they are inside the book. The typography is clear and contemporary.

The plan still is to bring out the book in the second half of next year. I will keep you informed (also about the definitive cover)!

Pages Souvenirs Perdus

2009-11-15T05:16:00.000-08:00

Currently I'm working on the last part of Splinters (Dutch title will be 'Scherven'), but I'm also reworking the pages for the French translation of 'Verzamelde Herinneringen', Souvenirs Perdus, which will appear next year at La Pasteque.

The adjustments I make have to do with the coloring. I wasn't 100% happy with the print-result of the Dutch edition. I found the colors a bit too heavy and saturated, so I'm making them a bit lighter and brighter.

I will also change the textballoons -no black outlines but with a shadow underneath- and remove the outlines of the images. It gives the pages a 'blonder' and more accessible look. Here I show some different pages.

The reason there is no text in it is that La Pasteque will do a new lettering. I hope I can show you the definitive cover of Souvenirs Perdus soon!

Last Stripelmagazine

2009-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

I had the honour to deliver the image for the cover of the last issue of the Belgian Stripelmagazine (# 12). In the last issue you can also find the interview that was already published on the Stripelmagazine website. Stripelmagazine will continue on the internet as a digital magazine. Every week there will be a new issue with interesting articles and interviews. Take look at their site!

Alan's War

2009-10-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

Emmanuel Guibert already made a lot of different books. Not long ago I read Alan's War. A book about American G.I. Alan Cope's memories of the Second Worldwar, written and drawn by Guibert. A very moving story of a soldier who was transported to France to fight against the enemy. The images are done in subtle grey-tones which give the story even more dimensions.

I really recommend this book. Language can not be the problem, Alan's War is available in French, English and Dutch.

Muis does New York

2009-10-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

Dutch comic promotor Gert Jan Pos is working hard to spread comics from the Lowlands. A couple of weeks ago he was in the Big Apple to give a presentation called 'Understanding Dutch comics' at the famous Parsons, the new school for design. And look who was also there: Muis travelled together with Gert Jan to open the presentation!

Carnets de Guerre

2009-10-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

Jacques Martin is especially known from his Alex and Le Franc stories. But a while ago, in a shop in Paris, I found a carnet with drawings about the Second Worldwar made by him. I was really impressed by the realistic style and the dramatic atmosphere of the images. All where made in soft grey pencil. Carnets de Guerre is edited by Casterman.

Splinters cover

2009-09-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

It becomes clear to me when I will finish the first book of Splinters. The plan now is that it wil be published spring 2010 (may/june). That's why I have done some work on the cover. But also Oog & Blik / de Bezige Bij needs a first impression of the cover for their 2010 catalogue.

I've done some sketches, but as I see it now it will be the drawing in the middle. It shows Victor in a hurry on his bike. (Where is he going?) It refers to a scene in the book. I hope to show the definitive version within some weeks.

I have also worked on the cover of the french translation of 'Verzamelde herinneringen': 'Souvenirs Perdus'. I hope to show it to you soon.

Last pages

2009-09-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back from holiday in France, the country of 'la bande dessinée". Two weeks in Brittanny and a couple of days in Paris.

We had a good time with nice, sometimes really hot weather. I had enough time to make sketches of the last pages -some 55- of Splinters. Including the background quire it brings the book to some 250 pages. And this is only the first book...

Pages in color

2009-07-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

A while ago I showed some black and white artwork of pages I'm currently doing for Splinters.

Now I am in a cycle of coloring some 40 pages. I do my coloring digitally on my Mac. First in Illustrator and after that I transport the basically colored pages to Photoshop and change them into sepia.

After that I use a filter to give them a more authentic atmosphere. Here are some examples of the part of the book I'm doing right now. When I've finished this cycle I have to draw 60 more pages, and then Book One of Splinters is ready to publish! Hopefully somewhere next year.

Muizentheater

2009-07-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

Peter van Dongen is one of my favourite Dutch artists. He's especially known for his two Rampokan books and a lot of illustration-work. But he made his debut in 1990 with Muizentheater, a story about two boys: Daan and Henkie. The two brothers grew up in Amsterdam in the thirties, a period of worldwide crisis. Their father is an alcoholic and their mother earns some extra's with her body. Not an ideal situation for two young boys in their childhood. The younger Daan joins the upcoming Nazi's, the other one, Henk, becomes a cool and hard one. The end of the story is not a happy one.

The artwork is in a very crispy black and white and you can feel the influence of Hergé. Want to find out? Read Muizentheater and don't miss the two Rampokan books!

Interview on Stripelmagazine

2009-07-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

In the new edition of the online version of Stripelmagazine there's an interview about the translation of 'Verzamelde Herinneringen' in French and about my new book Splinters.

If you want to read it go to Stripelmagazine. The interview will also appear in the paper version of the magazine later this year.

Souvenirs Perdus

2009-06-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

I am very happy and proud to announce that the collection of my first 3 books, Verzamelde Herinneringen, will be translated in French by La Pasteque. La Pasteque is an independant Canadian Publisher from Québec. Québec is the French speaking part of Canada and La Pasteque publish f.i. the books of Michel Rabagliati and Pascal Blanchet in Québec, France and Belgium in the French language.

The title of my book will be Souvenirs Perdus (sounds beautiful...) and will come out next year.

I will do some redesign and make a new cover for this edition. If you want to read the French announcement, please go to the La Pasteque site: www.lapasteque.com

I will keep you informed!

Namesakes

2009-06-07T06:06:00.000-07:00

Last week I got an email from Erik de Graaf... From myself? No.

I think everybody recognizes it, one day you discover that there is somebody with the same name as you have. My name is not so special in Holland, but it's really a coincidence if there lives somebody somewhere who isn't only named the same, but also is born in the same village.

So that email came from another Erik de Graaf, born in the same village as me, but now living somewhere else. He was confrontated with me when he read a review about my books in a newspaper, some years ago and he bought my books.

Now he's doing a series about namesakes on his own weblog and he has written a very kind piece about me. If you want to read it go to his blog: erikdegraaf.blogspot.com

Comic Intendant

2009-06-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Since the 1st of May Holland has a real intendant for comics. Circumstances for Dutch artists are quite difficult nowadays: a small country, dropping book sales and not much possibilities to pre-publish. Comic artists Jean-Marc van Tol and Hanco Kolk have taken several initiatives to draw attention to these problems. One of the results is that the government has appointed a Comic Intendant.

His name is Gert Jan Pos. He's a journalist and translator who will try to improve the circumstances for Dutch Comics and Comic artists in the next years. He talks about some of his plans for the comicg years in the VPRO-gids of this week.

The interview is accompanied by an illustration of Peter van Dongen. And who do we recognize

in the gallery on the wall?

Rabbit Art

2009-05-17T05:31:00.000-07:00

I was asked to participate in an exposition called Rabbit Art. The expo was organised by a 'rabbit-lover', called Kim Kamperman. She invited all kind of different artists to make a piece of work about rabbits.

Last friday the expo started and there were shown all kind of different and beautiful creations. The visitors could buy the artworks and the revenues are going to an animal home that cares a lot about rabbits. My creation was one with a little bit of humor in it: I wanted to show the artistic little balls rabbits produce that look very similar to pieces of liquorice.

My work was sold 5 minutes after the expo started...

If you want to visit the exposition and support the rabbits: Gallery Lilys, Weimarstraat 58, Den Haag.

Uncle Cor

2009-05-17T05:14:00.000-07:00

My uncle Cor was one of the soldiers who stayed at my grandparents house when the war broke out (He's also playing a role in Splinters). He became my uncle when he married my fathers sister (I wasn't born yet). I loved him very much because he was always joking and also stimulated me to use my drawing-talent. As a matter of fact he could draw quite good himself and learned me, for instance, how to draw a good motorcycle.

You can find an example of one of his practical jokes in the story Spierballen in my first book Verbleekte Herinneringen.

The picture in this post shows my uncle (on the right) while he's building sheds before the war, together with his fellow-soldiers. If you take a look at the picture you see young men (some look almost like movie-stars...) looking curious, self confident and gentle into the camera, not knowing what's going to happen to them.

I got this picture from somebody who has written a book about the history of the small village where my grandparents lived at that time.

Portrait

2009-05-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

When I had my exposition at Lilys, André (Lily's brother) has been a great help for me. Especially with arranging my work at the Gallery and by fixing the 3-d objects. Because I am very grateful for that, I have drawn a portrait for him as a little boy. In a way that shows that he was already a drawing-talent in his younger years.

Pages in black and white

2009-04-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have written before that mostly I do the different stages of the drawing of Splinters in groups of pages. After that I have done the sketching part of some 40 pages, I start putting the linework in black. For this story I don't use ink, but black conté-pencil. This gives the line-art a more rough and irregular look, that fits more to the character of Splinters than a slick, smooth line.

It is a very detailed kind of work, especially for the small parts of an image. Because the pencils I use are very soft, I have to do a lot of sharpening. I think the store where I buy my art-supplies is quite happy with me... I use a lot of those conté-pencils.

The paper that I use is not smooth, in fact it's watercolour-paper with a nice structure, to give the line-work even more character.

Kriegspiel

2009-04-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

As I've written before, I have always been interested in stories about the Second Worldwar. In my comics-collection I have quite a few books about that period. And always when I visit a comics-store and see a book about the war, I take a look. I thought it would be nice if I share some of the titles I have with you.

I bought Kriegspiel by Arno and Bocquet at the end of the eighties in Paris. It's not really a comic, but more an illustrated story. I was especially impressed by Arno's beautiful drawings. I think they catch the atmosphere of the war in a very strong and emotional way.

The book tells some witness-stories from the Warsaw-ghetto, but also about after-war gangs in Eastern-Europe.

Not only Arno's artwork is fantastic, but also the graphic design of the book fits very well to the war-period. The book was published first in 1988 by Alpen Publishers and reprinted in 1992 by La Sirene. I think you can only find it on Ebay nowadays.

More illustrations

2009-03-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

As I wrote before, sometimes I feel like doing some illustration-work after drawing page after page. Most of the time these drawings are connected to Splinters, the story I'm currently working on. Making an illustration gives the nice feeling of creating something that I can finish quite soon.

I visualize situations that could happen in the story in the future or that are just connected to the Second Worldwar, like the 'spying-scene' above.

It's also an opportunity to explore different techniques. I have done some water color ones and I've made some with colored pencil. In the future I like to try some other techniques like f.i. charcoal and scraper board.

I do most of my illustrations when I'm on holiday or some days off. It gives me the rest to try something else and often I get inspired by the landscape I'm in.

Splinters so far

2009-02-22T07:39:00.000-08:00

After my exposition and making a New Yearscard for Klare Lijn International, I am focusing completely on Splinters, my new story, again. I work in parts at the story normally. That means that I do sketches, line-drawings and color-work of 30 to 40 pages together. In that way I can keep the overview and it gives me some variation. Currently I am working from page 139 to page 177 (and that's still not the end of Book 1).

After Esther and Victor have found each other back at the cemetery, Victor is telling her what has happened to him during the first weeks of the war. After the capitulation all soldiers, including Victor, had to go back to their camp. After a few days everybody who could prove they had a job, could go to their hometown.

At the end of may 1940 Victor, together with his mate Chris, are on their way home by bicycle. Along the way they are stopped by some German soldiers, who are watching over a crashed German plane. The situation then gets quite tensed...

I show you some of the sketched pages.

Coöperation Oog & Blik and the Bezige Bij

2009-02-22T07:26:00.000-08:00

In the United States sales of Graphic Novels have reached almost 30% of the total sales in regular bookstores. In Europe editors of literature see the interesting potential of this segment.

Oog & Blik is a small Dutch Graphic Novel editor with a beautiful list of authors. The Bezige Bij is a big Dutch editor of literature. They've decided to coöperate in editing graphic novels. In that way Oog & Blik (and its authors) have a fantastic entry to the regular bookstores and a new public.

This year the two editors have planned to produce some 30 books. On the list are famous authors like Chris Ware, Charles Burns and Dupuy & Berberian but also talented artists like Judith Vanistendael.

Inspirated by...

2009-02-08T06:47:00.000-08:00

I was born in 1961 and didn't experience the Second Worldwar myself. But in Splinters I want to reflect the atmosphere of that period as good as possible. I have seen a lot of images and movies about the war, but what I found very characteristic from that period are the propaganda posters, from both the Allies and the Germans.

They look very heroïc and strong. I especially like the contrast between light and dark and the use of color. It gives strong shadows on faces, clothes and objects. And that results in very clear, almost graphical images.

I try to translate that style into my drawings and catch that recognizable atmosphere. And by using strong shadows, greyish colors, sepia and clear imagery, I hope to give my story its 'own' Second Worldwar feeling.

Card for Klare Lijn International

2009-01-29T11:22:00.000-08:00

The unsurpassed Klare Lijn website asked me to make a New Yearscard bringing their best wishes for 2009. Being very honored by this request I made an illustration in which I tried to reflect the atmosphere of these days. But I also attempted to bring in a spark of hope for the future. And for the detail-lovers: some numbers can be discovered. The cards were signed and numbered.

Found picture of my mother

2009-01-17T11:56:00.000-08:00

I have told you before that an important part of Splinters is based upon real history. I could use parts of the diary of my uncle Gijs. Gijs was one of the soldiers that stayed in the village where my grandparents and my mother lived. He and his mates tried to fight the Germans during the 1940 may-days.

My mother, Lena, was born on the 1st of may, 1931. So she was just 9 years old when the war broke out. She was my grandparents only child. The soldiers liked my mother very much, especially because of her white hair.

My mother has died in 2001 and I didn't speak a lot with her about the war-years. She was just a child then and didn't remember very much of it. A couple of weeks ago my father gave me her 'Stamkaart' and a picture on which you see here dressed as a soldier. He had found them while cleaning some cupboards. I think it's a lovely picture, but I can't say if she tries to give a dangerous look or is just shy.

Full page

2009-01-17T11:44:00.000-08:00

In my new story Splinters I sometimes use 'full-page' illustrations. I like to focus on the emotion, action or person that is important at that moment in the story. I decided to bring in some variation in the lay-out of the pages by using one drawing to fill a complete page with. It also shows the reader that something important is happening, or that, for instance, a new day is starting or that they're going back in time.

It's not something new. Of course other artists did it already in the past, like Craigh Thompson in Blankets. I think it can work very strongly and can bring a lot of drama if you do it in the right way and and at the right moments.

Title typography

2009-01-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

As a designer I know the power of a typeface to communicate something and give a word or sentence a strong or emotional character. For the title of my new book Scherven (Splinters in English) I've tried a lot different typefaces already. Trying to give the word the character that fits best to the story. I show you some of the more interesting ones I made.

I made the one on the top quite a while ago. I thought it would be nice when the letters where made out of splinters. When I saw it back a few months later I found it very obvious: you see waht you read and there is no emotion in it.

I think in the second one there is more atmosphere, it's raw, distorted and shows in a way the things that happen in the story.

The third one is my favourite at this moment (it can still change in the future...). It's sharp, a bit mean and you almost feel some pain in it. I think when you see this on the cover of a book, it gives an impression of what kind of story you can expect.

Expo has ended

2009-01-11T10:46:00.000-08:00

Last sunday, 4th of january, I have taken away my stuff from Lilys gallery. The exposition has ended. It was a very nice experience. A lot of different visitors came by, also people who aren't directly comic-fans. I always feel a little pity when something like this ends, but my car was less filled when I drove home, because quite an amount of my work has been sold. That means that in some houses of some families, somewhere one of my drawings is brightening up a room.

Also on the Ephemerist!

2009-01-02T07:01:00.000-08:00

On the European weblog The Ephmerist you can also read a post about my work and forthcoming story. Surf to The Ephmerist and read it!

Article on Forbidden Planet Blog!

2008-12-29T07:57:00.000-08:00

On the Forbidden Planet International Weblog their continental correspondent has written an article about my books and coming story Splinters under the heading Translation Please. Want to read more, then go to Forbidden Planet

Contest

2008-12-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

As I blogged earlier, there are now 2 sets of postcards in the Erik de Graaf assortment. As a little celebration of this new release, we present a contest where you can win a set of these cards. All you have to do to win is make the little livingroom above as funny as possible with your own text, pictures and everything you want. Email your result to: Erikdegraafcomics@gmail.com

You can join the contest untill the 31th of january, as many times as you want. If you win the contest, I'll let you know by email!

You can get some inspiration from these pictures from people who already did this!

Erik de Graaf postcards

2008-12-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

New in the Erik de Graaf assortment are 2 different sets of 6 postcards. One set contains 6 postcards with illustrations from the last 3 books, and the other set contains 6 different illustrations from the new book Splinters. If you are interested in the set(s) of postcards, please feel free to email me at: Email Me and I will answer you as soon as possible.