illustration

Big in China

illustration

I just received the deposit copies of the Chinese versions of books I illustrated two or three years ago. It always amuses me when I hear, that book I worked on has been sold to Asia, because it reminds me of the eighties when mediocre rock bands who were past their prime often found a safe haven in Japan, hence the old Alphaville song Big in Japan. Perhaps I am big in China or Korea (who knows).

I wondered what they would do with the map of Germany with tips for dinosaur related activities (they just kept it). I would love to know what the text says, so if you can speak Chinese contact me…

Klett und Balmer, Die Sprachstarken 9/ Romulus der Große

comic, Dürrenmatt, illustration, Romulus der Große, School Book Illustration Das Morgenessen

This was a comic strip for Klett and Balmer “die Sprachstarken”. It illustrates a famous quip by Friedrich Dürrenmatt in which he defended his usage of Swiss words, after German critics had accused him of using dialect. Basically the Germans think Swiss is a German dialect and the Swiss think it is a separate language. I don´t want to comment on this. Romulus says Morgenessen instead of Frühstück (breakfast), and yells at his servant when he tries to correct him. I guess the play Romulus der Große is much more popular in Switzerland….

By the way I wish the Germans would spend so much diligence and love on their schoolbooks. They really do an amazing job at Klett and Balmer.

romulus_bw_derekroczen

N

illustration, portrait

Like always, I can´t actually show what I am working on right now. I just finished the design for new episodes for a pilot of Planet Wissen and Image films for the Kuveyt Türk bank and like always in July a Christmas card. I am working on a new children´s book about Pirates, which seem to become a habit.

So these drawings are what I fill my spare time with. At least a part of it… The left one is quite recent, the right one from last year.

Die Kuh muss vom Eis

illustration

kuhaufeis

I like stuff that makes sense in one Language and turns surreal in another. This was a quote by Jean Claude Junckers, shortly before the agreement with Greece was reached. I don´t want to comment on that, but it leaves a sour aftertaste for everyone involved and I feel sorry for the Greeks.

Die Kuh vom Eis bringen (get the cow off the ice)means to handle a delicate situation.

New Book / Houseboat

illustration

A new book for children age 6-8 (children who just start learning how to read) has been published by Random House which I have illustrated last year. I will show some more Illustrations when I am sure that the book is available in bookstores. The story by Patricia Schröder is about a family holiday on a houseboat.

RandomHouseHausboot