About the Artist - Werner Zimmermann
1. Do you need to do any detective work when you’re working on a writing/illustrating project?
Oh yes, lots of it. For the TD Summer Reading Club Poster, I had to track down the right kind of dog. I knew someone who had a beautiful big bassett hound and I wanted to draw one just like him. Unfortunately, I ended up working off the Internet and used many pictures of dogs to put Agent 009 together. I also had to track down wheelchairs and fedoras and even libraries. For that I visited Casa Loma to get the feel of a mansion library.
2. Do you need to be in a special place to do your work? What’s your favourite place to work?
I have a studio room in my house in Guelph and a bigger studio in Lion's Head, but sometimes I just end up on the dining room table. Unfortunately, I am a spreader: someone who uses far more room than he needs. I wish I learned how to work tight and clean, not messy and wide.
3. Did you join a Summer Reading Club when you were a child?
I never did. I hated reading when I was young, mainly because I found it hard, but once I discovered a scary adventure book I was hooked and totally forgot about words and got carried away by the ideas. I really wish I had joined a club. I don't think there were any then (this is way back when dinosaurs walked and the crust was still warm) so it is great that they exist now.
4. What’s your favourite time of day to draw?
Almost any time of day, although I am very easily distracted during the day, so I tend to be most creative at night. Problem is, I am tired by then so I still try to get my drawing done during the day.
5. What’s your favourite animal to draw? Why?
That's a very hard question because I really like all of them. Ok, maybe it's cows. Cows have such kind faces and pretty eyes. But then, so do orangutans, and dogs, and cats and.....
6. Who is your favourite secret agent?
That one is simple: Inspector Gadget! Could there possibly be anyone else? 007 could take lessons from him!
7. What advice do you have for someone who wants to become an illustrator?
Draw, draw and draw. Look at the art of those you really like and don't be afraid to copy them, but then make sure you put those away and draw your own. It might not be as good as the copy but it will make you learn. Get books from the library about colour and perspective and anatomy and slowly learn from them. There is no fast way, only one with lots of practice and practice and practice and practice. Slow and steady is the best way to learn. and
For more information about the artist, visit his website.
