Illustrator Interview: Román Díaz
Little Levi and the Bedtime Scaries is a children’s book for kids who struggle to sleep at bedtime.
Illustrator Interview: Q&A With Román Díaz
Little Levi and the Bedtime Scaries is one of the newest books at EmpowerMint Press. The book was authored by Kate Newton and illustrated by Román Díaz. Learn more about what interests Díaz and how he illustrates books!
Christa Fletcher: What inspired you to join the "Little Levi and the Bedtime Scaries" team?
Román Diaz: When I read the text I was fascinated to participate in this project, when I was a child I had nightmares and this book would have helped me a lot, so I identified with Levy.
CF: Have you ever illustrated books for kids before “Little Levi and the Bedtime Scaries”?
RD: I have 10 years of experience making children's books in my country and abroad, I have about 30 published books; being a children's book illustrator was always my dream, I only discovered it when I entered university, I didn't know how the images I saw in books were generated and it was in my first class that a teacher explained to us what illustration was and my life changed forever.
CF: What was the illustrating process like for you?
RD: It was very exciting, since they accepted the project I immediately started making sketches for our character and I wouldn't stop sketching, later the writer's vision was very helpful in developing the interior pages; continuing with the color was the stage that I enjoyed the most, I didn't stop correcting because I was in love with the book and I didn't want anything to go wrong.
CF: What is the hardest part about being an illustrator? What’s the easiest?
RD: The hardest is getting projects of cultural value and well paid. The easiest is seeing them in print and enjoying your creations.
CF: What are some of your favorite children's books? And what about "grownup" books?
RD: I really like Tony Wolf's work in his classic stories and Satoshi Kitamura, I think I love all his books, Dr. Seuss is also incredible and adult reading, I think my attention is always directed to science fiction.
CF: What advice do you have to kids who want to be illustrators?
RD: To do it and to learn about this amazing world. When I was a child and teenager, adults told me to take it as a hobby, but this is a career as formal and serious as any other. I was always a child who discovered the world on my own.
CF: Do you have any tips for grownups who want to be illustrators?
RD: Draw every day and admire the work of other colleagues. There is a place for you if you want.
CF: What other types of projects do you do as an illustrator? Do you like teaching?
RD: I design toys, board games, video games. I usually work as a character designer for all kinds of brands. I was fortunate to collaborate with Nick Jr. on a series called Santiago of the Seas and in the future I hope to make my own action figures as well as publish my first children's book.
CF: What was it like working with author Kate Newton?
RD: It was a wonderful experience, always kind and considerate, I only have praise for her, I congratulate her for writing such an impressive story.
CF: Can you share anything else about being an illustrator that kids would like to know?
RD: That they read many children's books, all stories can help them with their future and solve the adversities that life presents to them.
"Only with the heart can one see well: the essential is invisible to the eyes."
CF: What do you love most about “Little Levi and the Bedtime Scaries”?
RD: I like the metaphor between humans and monsters, Momster is my favorite character.
CF: What is your favorite illustration in “Little Levi and the Bedtime Scaries”?
RD: The beginning and the end, I really liked seeing him sleeping peacefully and walking through the forest.
Illustrations From “Little Levi and the Bedtime Scarie”
