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Illustrator's Studio: Michael Martchenko

Michael Martchenko head shot

Michael Martchenko was born in Carcassone, France. He immigrated to Canada with family at age seven. He graduated high school in Cambridge, Ontario then went on to graduate from OCAD University, Toronto. 

He worked as an Art Director in several Toronto advertising agencies. He illustrated his first book, The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, in 1980. Since then, he has illustrated over 100 books, authored and illustrated two books of his own. He now lives in Burlington, Ontario where he likes to spend his days by the waterfront.

Throughout your career, you’ve illustrated over a hundred books for children. What does it mean to know stories you illustrated over 40 years ago are still being read and loved by children today?

I feel very fortunate to have worked with some great authors. I still find it amazing that books we produced years ago are still relevant and popular. For instance, The Paper Bag Princess, my first collaboration with Robert Munsch and my first children's book, is as popular as ever. Princess Elizabeth is pushing fifty and may not fit into that paper bag anymore, but she's still going strong. One reason is that I don't think kids have changed all that much. They still like a good story, enjoy laughing, and perhaps identify with the characters a little. Kids still love being read to.

Cover of Bounce! a picture book illustrated by Michael Martchenko.

To young readers, your illustrations feel like they magically appeared on the page. In reality, illustration is a process that takes a lot of time and effort. What’s the first thing you do when you’re handed a manuscript?

When I get a new manuscript, the first thing l do is go to the coffee pot, fill up my favourite mug, get into my comfy chair and read the story several times over. As I do this, I get the “feel” of the book and start getting visual ideas. I then do a storyboard–one frame for each page–to establish the flow of the story. The next step is to develop each page in pencil form. But first, l get more coffee!

 

You continue to illustrate new children's books every year. What is your favourite part of the illustration process?

My favourite part of illustrating a story is the rough pencil stage. This is when the real creativity comes in–when the characters and locations are developed. I design each illustration to match and complement the copy. The fully developed pencils are then presented to the publishers for approval.

Cover of Sounds Like Christmas, a picture book illustrated by Michael Martchenko

You’ve inspired many young people to pick up a pencil and draw. What advice do you have for aspiring artists who are feeling stuck creatively?

If you get stuck creatively (artists’ block), look at art books, art magazines, go on your computer–there's so much information there. Look at other people's work, especially those you admire. I can still be inspired by paintings, illustrations, or graphic designs that I really like. Sometimes, a little thing that you've seen can lead to big creative ideas. Also, as I've always said, keep drawing. Doodle! I've had some great character ideas from doodling while on the phone. After all these years, I can still get that feeling when looking at all those words on the paper, “What am I going to do with this?”. But, I still love the challenge.

View Michael Martchenko's art in the Picture Book Gallery.

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Written by Spencer Miller  

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