Introducing Theo

Theo is Vincent’s brother and his best friend.

He likes to be helpful to Vincent, and often writes to him.

Dear Vincent,

I hope you are well, I hope you are happy.

Is there anything you need?

Introducing Theo in “Dear Vincent”

I loved designing Theo’s apartment in this book. Whenever I illustrate a book, I like to put in details that are meaningful for me. In this page the paperweight is like one I remember from a friend’s house in my childhood, with a dandelion suspended in glass. One of those clever tricks that I was amazed by! I also decided he had a tabby cat, just like the one we adopted a year ago.

Details

Before I began, I was worried it would be too difficult depicting the paintings - I didn’t want it to look like a bad pastiche! But in the end I found I really enjoyed painting them - it was fun putting in just the right level of detail so those who know the paintings will recognise them.

The beautiful story by Michael Bird puts the relationship between the brothers at the heart of this book, and it was such a joy to imagine their worlds and story.

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This is an excerpt from my new illustrated book Dear Vincent, written by Michael Bird and published by Thames & Hudson Children’s Books

You can pre-order now. Get your copy from friends of this Substack Shelf Editions or Katie Clapham