From Aardvark to Zuma

Illustrator Alex Latimer’s latest South African alphabet book does not disappoint. I chatted to him about the creative process behind it all…

  

You’ve illustrated and written The South African Alphabet, and now your latest creation is From Aardvark to Zuma is a concise, pocket-sized version –how are the two books different?

My original idea was to create From Aardvark to Zuma - sort of an illustrated, humorous encyclopedia of all things iconically South African. Penguin liked the idea, but suggested I do an alphabet book version for children too. The humour and the scope of detail I originally intended is missing from The South African Alphabet - but there's a certain charm in being able to teach kids the alphabet using local animals and plants and people rather than imported ones. I think the two books complement each other nicely.

You say on your website that with The South African Alphabet each illustration in the book had to start with the same letter in both languages – did you have the same problem with this book?

From Aardvark to Zuma hasn't been translated into Afrikaans, so I was spared having to deal with that problem. What I managed to do in The South African Alphabet was close to impossible, so doing the same for From Aardvark to Zuma, with many more elements involved, would certainly be have been impossible.

Is this book for adults or children or both?

I originally aimed this book at adults simply because there's a lot of humour in it that I think kids would miss. But I've seen kids read and enjoy it, so I'd have to say both.

Were there any illustrations in particular that you struggled with?

As you can see from the drawings, I had this idea that all the animals would have their eyes right on the edge of the outlines. This worked fine for most animals, except for birds. I struggled to figure out how to solve this, but I'm quite happy with the solution - which was to follow Picasso's lead and mix 2D and 3D so that both eyes are on one side of the head. (It sounds weird, but I think it works.)

Were you ever stuck for ideas that epitomised each letter?

As you'll see, the beginning of the alphabet has loads of elements - B in particular with Boerewors, Braai, Bakkie, Biltong, Bles Bridges etc... But as I got closer to the end of the alphabet there were letters that I really battled with. X,Y and Z were particularly difficult.

Your book is tinged with a lovely mix of nostalgia and pride. Evoking a proudly South African feel through these pages almost makes the actual alphabet seem like a vehicle with which to convey what South Africa and South Africans are all about.

 I think you're absolutely right. The alphabet is really just a way to arrange these South African elements - it's a vehicle that allowed me to make a book about and for South Africans and South Africa. 

Can you tell me a bit about your creative process? Where do you draw your inspiration from? Do you work from photos? What mediums do you use and how has your style changed over the years?

I did often use photographs as reference - not to copy, but just to remind me what Desmond Tutu wears or how the stripes of a quagga are arranged. I drew all these animals and plants and people in pencil and then scanned and coloured them on my computer. My style hasn't changed that much over the years - I've found a style that I like and I've refined it.

You’re obviously very proudly South African. Please share some of your favourites with us:

·         Favourite holiday spot? Anywhere far from a city on the Eastern Cape coast.

·         Favourite type of holiday – bush or sea? Sea.

·         Favourite indigenous plant/flower? Anything that doesn't die in my garden. September bushes are at the top of my list right now.

·         Favourite animal? I like aardwolfs - crazy-looking hyena-like insectivores.

·         Favourite local dish? I love a really good bobotie - though they're very hard to find.

·         Favourite weekend pastime? Braaiing with friends, swimming in the sea, hiking up mountains.

*First published on www.countrylife.co.za.

*Alex Latimer’s From Aardvark to Zuma is published by Penguin Books. For more information, visit www.penguinbooks.co.za.