Christian VOLTZ 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Picture Book

My presentation will go through all the stages involved in creating a picture book, focusing on the technique of volume illustration using recycled objects.

I'll start by discussing all the preliminary research that goes into writing the story, and then the various sketches that have to be made in order to work out what the characters in the story are going to look like. Then I’ll look at how the story is broken down into its various stages, and explain the production of a prototype to be used as a working document and a basis for negotiation with the publisher. After that, I'll re-create some live volume illustrations from the picture book Toujours rien? [Nothing new?] (Le Rouergue), using recycled objects. We'll look at the advantages and limitations of this particular technique. 

I'll then describe how I work in collaboration with the photographer, who deals with the lighting and shooting of my illustrations, and how I switched from film photography to digital photography a few years ago.  

I'll also discuss the way I work with graphic designers to choose the desired typography and layout and, finally, I'll examine the work of the publishing house in charge of overseeing the printing of the book and looking after its commercial promotion  through translations, animated films, adaptations for live performances, etc.

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“Christian Voltz lives and works in Strasbourg, where he studied art at the École Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. He specialised in illustration after attending the workshop run by Claude Lapointe. He is the author and illustrator of numerous children's picture books. His illustrations are ephemeral creations made from recycled objects, cardboard and cut-out paper. They combine to give life to minimalist, original worlds peopled by endearing characters.
Wire, rusty bolts, old leather strips, painted cardboard and bits and pieces of just about every kind of material characterise his sharp-witted and droll style, which is instantly recognisable yet sometimes defies expectations. With their big teeth and wide-open eyes, his heroes often tend to be slightly out of proportion, all the better to endear and beguile us...” (P. Seynac)

Christian Voltz also addresses adult audiences in posters for cultural events, or sculptures and engravings. There again, his whole work revolves around the representation of characters, be they human or animal. His work is on show in two travelling exhibitions: “Les trésors minuscules” [Tiny treasures] and “La Fabric”.

His work can be seen here: www.christianvoltz.com

A few bibliographical references:

• Toujours rien ? / Éditions du Rouergue 1997
• C’est pas ma faute ! / Éditions du Rouergue 2001
• La souris et le voleur / Éditions Didier Jeunesse 2002
• La caresse du papillon / Éditions du Rouergue 2005
• Le livre le plus génial que j’ai jamais lu / Pastel 2008
• Nous les hommes ! / Le Rouergue 2010
• Dis papa, pourquoi ? / Bayard éditions 2010
• Heu-reux ! /Éditions Le Rouergue 2016
• Loupé ! / Le Rouergue 2017
• Un gâteau au goûter / Pastel 2020
• Et toi, et toi ? /Le Rouergue 2022
• Promenons nous dans les bois / Didier Jeunesse 2022
• Happy end /  Pastel 2023