Who is Jean Jullien giving his book to this Christmas?
The artist, illustrator and Phaidon author tells us his personal highs and lows of 2018 and who’ll be getting a great gift
Most of us know Jean Jullien via his charming, evocative, cartoon-like drawings. Anyone who has flipped through the French artist, author and illustrator’s children’s books, such as Why the Face?, This is Not a Book, or Before & After will know that, while the images appeal to kids, they’re just as likely to charm an adult audience as much as an infant readership.
However, 2018 has seen Jullien branch out more seriously into painting and fine art, exhibiting his canvases and video works – Jean makes his moving images with his brother Nicolas – in Europe, the US and Japan. And his mixing of media doesn’t end there. 2019 will see Jean create a new Phaidon book, as well as a video game and an animated series. Read on to discover how this is impacting his pen work, why he’s working on his multitasking skills and who he plans to give his Phaidon book to this Christmas.
What was the thing that inspired you most this year? Paintings, for sure.
What was your personal highlight? I had a string of painting shows that I was happy with. It was super nice for me to present something new and have a positive response.
What annoyed you most? I had a bit of a dry drawing spell when I got fully into painting. I'm not good at multitasking but I'm working on it. I don't want to swap one for the other!
What can we expect from you in 2019? Well we're working on a very exciting new book with Phaidon that I'm stoked about. Lots more painting but I'm also working on a new series of drawings and a graphic novel, a video game and an animated series.
Who will you give your Phaidon book to for Xmas? My nephews, because they seem to have been enjoying the previous ones!
Do you have any relatives who might also enjoy Jean’s books? Then order his latest, Why the Face?, as well as earlier works such This is Not a Book and Before & After here. In fact, you can buy them all in our specially priced Jean Jullien collection, here.