Skip to main content

Illustrator Interview: Sergio Bumatay III

Today, I have the great privilege of interviewing Filipino children's book illustrator Sergio "Serj" Bumatay III. Serj is the illustrator of:

Basta Ayoko Pang Matulog!/I Don’t Want to Go to Bed Yet! by Luis Gatmaitan (OMF Literature, 2005)


Tight Times by Jeanette C. Patindol (Adarna House, 2007)





The Boy Who Touched Heaven by Iris Gem Li (Adarna House, 2007)




Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu! by Nanoy Rafael (Adarna House, 2008)




and Tuwing Sabado/Every Saturday by Russell Molina (Lampara Books, 2009)




Serj, welcome to Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind!


Please share a bit about your childhood. In an interview with PaperTigers, you said that you always knew that you wanted to draw and paint. What were you like as a young artist?

When I was young, I loved to create many things and try interesting stuff like science experiments you can do in the kitchen, home made toys, and collecting many things. That curiosity and creativity motivated me to try art. I discovered I could draw by grade 2 when we were asked to draw a scene for the parables we had just heard. My scene wasn't stick figures like my classmates did. The figures were all complete with details and in side views, although they weren't that proportional. It was the start of my art career in school.

What motivates and inspires you to illustrate children's books?

When I was beginning to illustrate children's books, I thought doing this was just for the fun of it. I can make cool stuff I can share. But later I felt a deeper motivation, I thought illustrating children's books is a kind of advocacy for me. For me, illustrating children's books is a big challenge and responsibility, you just don't make beautiful pictures for children to see but also make them understand difficult issues. I believe this is now part of my contribution to the development of culture and literacy in our country.

Who are your favorite artists, graphic designers, and children's book illustrators? How have they influenced your own work? What else influences your artwork (books, movies, TV shows, songs, etc. - if any)?

I love Philippine vintage art and ephemera, especially ethnic motifs. There are so many interesting stories going on if you study them. I draw lots of inspiration from our own masters (Juan Luna, Carlos Francisco, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo) and culture: from the streets of Quiapo, old ancestral houses, pop art, contemporary painters, to tribal and theatrical costumes, charms and jewelry, everything is so magical.

Please guide us through the creative process you use for illustrating children's books.

The conceptual process for each book is similar, but the creative process differs in the sense that each book has its own style and medium. I like each of my book projects to be different, because I believe each story is unique and therefore needs its own visual treatment.

The initial procedure is to internalize the story well. I tend to place myself in the shoes of the main character, and think of how he looks, what he feels, where in place or time he exists. From there I decide on the details and then research for the accuracy of visual images. Sometimes I also ask kids, especially my nephews and niece, about what they think and what they like.

After gathering enough materials, I plot down thumbnail ideas for each spread for the entire story. I make sure that the composition goes well with the text, I find composition to be the most important and challenging element in illustrating children's books. It's difficult to balance everything while maintaining a dynamic and interesting visual. The thumbnails will make completing the final artwork easier, allowing more room for adjustments if needed as I go along. Finally, the finished artwork will then be scanned and retouched if necessary, then sent to the publisher.




Do you think that your children's book illustrations can be labeled "Asian" and/or "Filipino"? If so, what makes them "Asian" and/or "Filipino"?

Yes, I always make it a point to get a Filipino feel in my illustrations, either visually or contextually. Sometimes I put small details that represent the Filipino identity: positive quotes as labels or text, customs and behavior, decorative objects we find in a typical Filipino home, dresses, or significant places.

Can you give more examples of the "Filipino details" you put in your illustrations?

Some of the details I have used are: air vents and tile patterns from Filipino ancestral homes, things you can find in a jeepney, and laces and patterns from old paintings of women.

I embody Pinoy customs and behavior in the illustrated characters or objects. For example, I illustrated a piggy bank as a character to represent our being thrifty and the value we give to hard-earned money. We (Filipinos/Asians) also place value on the closeness of our family. Most of my books portray that closeness within the family.

What are the challenges and rewards of being a children's book illustrator in the Philippines?

Some of the challenges I've encountered are: finding time to fit a production schedule (illustration is a very time consuming profession), foreign competition (foreign titles are being pushed more than local), printing technology - the original artwork doesn't match the printed output (although we already have several printing houses that provide good quality at par with global standards), and only a few are open to unconventional illustrative ideas (but it’s very rewarding if you can assert your ideas to the appreciative).

One of the profound rewards is when children and people in general appreciate your work, and they remember them. You will be able to positively influence them through your work.

What are the current trends in children's book illustrations in the Philippines?

Most of the illustrators I know are going the digital path, exploring the possibilities of the technology while maintaining their own illustrative styles. Some are already pushing other ways of illustrating in terms of medium, format and ideas, offering more innovative ways of reading or learning.

What are those other ways of illustrating?

Some of the things I have observed in local books: some books are positioned as more than just storybooks - counting, interaction, reference, all integrated in a single storybook; a book that turns into a toy; postmodern illustrations or illustrations that are typically unexpected in local children's books (in terms of color, style, technique and representation), e.g. collage, black and white illustrations, three-dimensional illustrations.

What are you working on now?

I am very fortunate that I'm currently working on some of my dream projects: an almost worldess children's book, a collector's edition book, and a children's book written by one of our national artists.

Thank you, Serj. I really love your work!


IMAGES COURTESY OF SERGIO BUMATAY III. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Comments

  1. nice post! love serj's illustrations. more posts on illustrators please!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Candy. And gee, no pressure, right? :P LOL!

    I know you draw too. Are you planning on illustrating for children?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice interview! Fun to see some of Serj's work. Love the rich colors in The Boy Who Touched Heaven, and his whimsical details in the other books. Thanks for introducing me to a new illustrator!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jama, yay! Glad to introduce you to Serj and his work. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  5. Even if the printed material can't hold a candle to the original artwork, they still blow me away. What lovely illustrations! Amazing colors and details.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chris, I saw Serj's paintings at the latest Manila International Book Fair. After studying them, I felt like I had been slayed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks, Tarie and Serj. The interview is fabulous. I was literally drinking Serj's words I read it. I love his work--he has a unique take on life, and it's great to have an insight about the publishing industry in the Philippines.

    Btw Tarie, You just got an award on MR. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, Nathalie! Thank you. :o) I particularly like Serj's illustrations for Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu! They have amazing details and they remind me of Shaun Tan's work - only Serj's illustrations are brighter, more colorful, and more playful. Which illustrations did you like best?

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree with you Tarie, the illustrations in Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu! are particularly lovely and interesting. It's such a shame I cant' find anything on either amazon.co.uk or abebooks that Serj has illustrated. Perhaps you could do a post on where to find Filipino or Asian books in Europe (or the US)?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, Zoe! If you click on my link to Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu!, it should bring you to the book's page on the publisher's website. They ship internationally. :) And don't worry, the book has English translations!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I agree with Candy, more illustrator interviews. I love them and you lay out their work so well.

    I really appreciated the "Filipino details" question.

    Naku,Nakuu, Nakuuu looks beautiful.

    Tarie- From the illustrator interviews you've done so far it looks like Asian illustrator like to play around with perceptual depth. (look at me using fancy art lingo, I think I got it right)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Doret, I am really happy that you are enjoying the illustrator interviews! Yes, I will definitely feature more illustrators. =D

    ReplyDelete
  13. His work is beautiful! Thanks for the enlightening interview!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks, Goomie! Serj's artwork is jaw-dropping.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tarie, it might interest you to know that Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu will be published in Swedish translation next year, by Trasten,a very small publishing house that I work for (as a volunteer, we don't get payed but invest whatever we earn in publishing more books).

    ReplyDelete
  16. AAAHHH!!! That is great, Chen! I'll make sure to announce that as soon as I can! Thanks for the heads up. =D

    ReplyDelete
  17. this is nice. ganda ng sinabi mo serj. idol.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino (I Am A Good Filipino) by Noel Cabangon and Jomike Tejido

This one is a real crowd pleaser: Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino , Lampara Books ' 2012 picture book adaptation of Noel Cabangon 's song, with Cabangon's original Filipino lyrics, functional English translations by Becky Bravo , and illustrations by Jomike Tejido ! Cabangon's inspiring lyrics remind children of the ways they can be good Filipinos, such as doing their best in school and obeying their parents. There are plenty of reminders for adults too, such as following traffic rules and not selling their votes during elections. Tejido's illustrations are warm and wholesome, acrylic paintings on hand-woven mats that depict different ways to be good citizens.    You just can't go wrong with Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino ! Children and adults will understand and appreciate the lyrics and paintings. The chords of the song are provided, so music lovers can play and sing along. There are notes and guide questions for educators. There is even

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

There is a barren mountain aptly called Fruitless Mountain, and by it lies the dark Jade River. In the shadow of the mountain is a poor village where everything is the dull color of mud. In this village live Ba and Ma and their quick-thinking daughter Minli. Ba, Ma, and Minli work hard in the fields every day, yet they only have plain rice to eat for their meals. Ma sighs with discontentment all the time. Minli looks at her weary father, her dissatisfied mother, and her desolate village and wishes she knew how she could change their fortune. Ba has told Minli wonderful stories about the Never-Ending Mountain and the Old Man of the Moon who knows the answer to all important questions, for he alone holds and reads the Book of Fortune. Minli decides to find the Never-Ending Mountain and climb up to the moon so that she can ask the Old Man how she can change her family's fortune. And so begins Minli's journey. Along the way, she makes many new friends, including a dragon, a buffa

Author Interview: Edna Cabcabin Moran

This was originally posted at Into the Wardrobe on May 28, 2009. Today, I am SO PROUD to present my interview with Filipino American author illustrator Edna Cabcabin Moran . *bursts with pride* Welcome, Edna!! Author/Illustrator, Edna Cabcabin Moran. Photo by Mark Moran. Can you tell us a bit about your Asian American heritage? My parents are from Eastern Samar, Philippines, an historic island in the Visayan island chain. My father was a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer who brought my mom and older siblings to this country. I am the first American-born child in the family. Growing up, I always felt like I straddled two cultures. I'm very American in the way I dress, speak and carry myself. I don't know Tagalog and I lost touch with my parent's dialect, Waray Waray. However, I have strong cultural roots and have retained much of my Filipino-ness which includes a deep, abiding respect for the elders and their stories. Perhaps the family meal is a good indicator of how one is ra