The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Ilse De Keyzer and Dana Martens
Ilse De Keyzer is a first-year secondary school teacher of Dutch, history and religion and an author of children's and youth books at Clavis publishing house. Her first book was about bullying. She also likes to write scary stories. Humor and animals are almost always central to Ilse's books.
Ilse is also the proud owner of a dachshund, and that funny sausage dog is the basis of the Teckel Tokkel -book series. She also gives lectures to children aged five to eleven.
Ilse is the author of 16 books, including Capibarry, illustrated by Ina Hallemans (2020), Halloween with Teckle Tockel, illustrated by Ina Hallemans (2019), Teckle Tokkel, illustrated by Ina Hallemans (2017), Maangoud,(Moon Gold) (2023), and three young adult novels.
Dana Martens is a 3rd grade secondary school teacher.
She has been drawing since she was a toddler. During drawing lessons during her school career, it became clear that she had a talent for illustration. She took the step to do something with it in 2022, when she got the opportunity to illustrate Ilse de Keyzer's beautiful story. Nessie, the Hidden Water Creature is her debut as an illustrator and immediately became a bestseller.
This is Dana’s debut as a picture book illustrator.
Their beautiful picture book, Nessie, released in the U.S. on November 19th.
Welcome Ilse and Dana,
Tell us a little about yourselves. (Where/when do you write or illustrate? How long have you been writing or illustrating? What is your favorite type of book to write or illustrate?
ILSA - I have been writing stories since I was eight years old, mostly very scary stories, about witches, vampires, … or stories about horses.
I really like writing, mostly by the stove, when it’s cold or when it’s raining outside, when my dog is lying next to me.
I prefer to write funny stories about animals that I like or stories that resemble fairy tales. I am a big animal lover.
DANA - I have been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. While growing up, I always blossomed during drawing lessons at school. My primary and secondary school teachers always encouraged me to pursue an art education. Yet I have never had an academic education. I learned my skills from my 2 aunts who were both artists.
Drawing felt like something very natural, something that was just part of my life. I always wanted to draw, everywhere, at any time and in any place. Drawing was just part of my life. I did not dream of becoming an illustrator. Although I really wanted to pursue an academic education, a different path was encouraged from home. Further study to obtain a graduate degree was a safe and secure choice for my future. I became a teacher and combined this with 14 years of training as a 'make-up artist'. I could use my creative talent well in that.
I prefer to draw mythical figures, animals, nature and everything that fits into this list. I am happy that I have developed my own style over the years that I still tinker with to become the best version of myself every day.
It is so wonderful to meet you both. What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written or illustrated a manuscript?
ILSA - When I had to write a poem once, I sat down at an old tree and the words came naturally. Nature is very inspiring and makes me look at things in a different way. I often write after I walk.
DANA - The strangest location where I have illustrated is outside in the garden, which is actually not that strange, but it is when you know that it was 30 degrees outside and I had a deadline for a magical Christmas story. I drew snow panoramas in my bikini.
Ha! Dana, that must have been quite an experience! Ilsa, what was your inspiration or spark of interest for Nessie?
ILSA - When I was about eight years old, there was a big search for the monster in the lake. Afterwards, Nessie really became something of an obsession of mine: would he sit there alone, did he have friends, did he sometimes come ashore? I was already writing stories about Nessie back then, staring for hours at the iconic photo I found in the library.
There is a wonderful mystic about Nessie; one that captures the heart and imagination of many people. I'm really glad you wrote this story. Dana, what about the Nessie manuscript appealed to you as an illustrator?
Text © Ilse De Keyzer, 2024. Image © Dana Martens, 2024.
DANA - Nessie immediately made me feel very excited. I could see the misty banks in front of me. The vapors rising from the water and a very large neck that can give children the creeps but at the same time you could also feel deep friendship for it. The story really appealed to me. Ilse's descriptive style also added extra magic to the design of the illustrations.
Sounds like a wonderful manuscript to get as an illustrator! And you did such a great job with it. What was the hardest or most challenging thing for each of you about writing or illustrating Nessie?
ILSA - Nessie is a large water creature and not a monster, even though his appearance makes him doomed to be seen as a monster. I really wanted to keep that in mind throughout the entire book. I wanted it to be truly enchanting.
DANA - The hardest part about illustrating Nessie was the uncertainty that sometimes came over me because this was the first picture book I ever illustrated. After handing in the cover, I received a boost from the publisher, so I confidently painted all the pictures one after the other. It was an incredibly nice process! There was little room to 'fail' due to the deadlines, which sometimes made me doubt whether I would succeed. In retrospect, I have learned that a small portion of uncertainty ensures a greater focus on the project.
Ilsa, I love the enchantment you wove into this story. And Dana, congrats on a stunning illustration debut. You did an amazing job! How many revisions did Nessie take for the text or illustrations - from first draft to publication?
ILSA - I don't know exactly. There were minor adjustments, but Dana and I were immediately on the same wavelength, and she was able to convey the magic that I tried to put in my story very well in her drawings. After we visited the lake in real life, we were able to get a better picture, and Dana was able to draw the environment even more realistically.
DANA - I myself had doubts about the magic of 1 illustration. I redrew and painted that illustration. With success, the end result was better. The publisher even thought this was one of the nicer illustrations. So, it doesn't hurt to question an illustration every now and then. This is completely part of the illustration process. In the end, I am very satisfied, otherwise I would have kept looking at that one illustration with suspicion.
Ooh, how exciting you got to visit Loch Ness together. That's a trip on my bucket list! I almost got to do it in 2019. You both created a magical picture book! Ilsa, when you first saw Dana’s illustrations in Nessie, did anything surprise, amaze, or delight you? Which is your favorite spread?
Text © Ilse De Keyzer, 2024. Image © Dana Martens, 2024.
ILSA - I don't have one favorite drawing, I think the most beautiful are those of the lake, with the castle ruins on it, the mist on the banks. I also think the drawing where Nessie's gaze is clear is important for the book: he has big, warm eyes, like a horse's, and the sweetness of a dolphin.
I totally agree with you, Ilsa. Dana, is there a spread that you were especially excited about or proud of? Or perhaps one which is your favorite spread?
Text © Ilse De Keyzer, 2024. Image © Dana Martens, 2024.
DANA - The illustration where Rhona reaches out to Nessie, with Nessie swimming under the boat and the shadow of the boat can be seen on Nessie's large body, that is my favorite illustration. Nessie's size. The small boat and mini shape of Rhona. The contrasts of the 2 characters (large - small, monster - girl) who still ensure that you feel an enormous friendship through the illustration, makes this image a success for me.
This is such a touching and powerful spread. I'd love to be Rhona and meet Nessie. Ilse, how did the experience of writing Nessie differ from writing your other books?
ILSA - I am now working on my sixteenth book, but this book is very special to me because it refers to myself as a child and I wanted to write this book when I was eight years old. The words and the drawings go together very nicely and that gives the book that little bit of magic that I wanted to give it.
A second reason why this book is so special to me is because it is my first book with Dana. She knew immediately and blindly how I saw the drawing that accompanies the story and it is very nice. We strive for the same goal: to make the reader dwell on the story and we both want to add a touch of magic to our stories, me with words and Dana with drawings. The book is the start of a long collaboration, we are both convinced. We can't stop talking about ideas for the next books. We have since become very good friends and are both grateful that we can do this and enjoy the whole writing and drawing process.
That sounds like a great collaboration and outcome from this book. I am excited to see what you create together next. Dana, many illustrators leave treasures or weave their own story (or elements) throughout the illustrations. Did you do this in Nessie? If so, could you share one or more with us?
DANA - There is 1 hidden treasure in the book. On the back cover you can see “Nessie” in the depths. This image was created by mirroring an illustration. On the edge of the book, you can see Nessie...discreet and only for the observant😊.
My birds and animals hidden in nature are typical of my style.
Thank you for sharing these treasures with us. What's something each of you want your readers to know about Nessie?
ILSA – Nessie is of course a book for children to read, but it is also suitable for adults because it contains philosophical elements. In the book, the child does not believe in the monster and the adult does, that is the upside-down world. It is about the child within yourself that should never be lost, after all, a child looks at things differently.
I don't want it to be proven that Nessie, the water creature, exists or not. Nessie is different for everyone. That's the beauty of fantasy. The most beautiful things in life don't have to be proven. Anyone who believes in Nessie believes that there is something there under the black water. We could feel it.
DANA - There are many explanations about Nessie. Readers should know that sometimes something cannot be explained and that the magic of believing something can bring enormous joy. Ilse and I also experienced this when we went to Scotland... looking for Nessie.
I absolutely agree with you both! Are there any upcoming books or new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
ILSA - We still have many ideas for the future, always about nature and animals. Dana's way of drawing, her soft watercolors make you dream away and match my style of writing perfectly, so we have really found our own style and it gives us both great pleasure that it is so appreciated at home and abroad. Our next project is a Christmas fairy tale about a wolf who leaves the pack and meets Santa Claus and his reindeer. All seasons appear in the book and it is even more magical than Nessie, we both think.
DANA - Winterwelp is the new project of Ilse and me. A magical illustrated picture book with a cute wolf and beautiful landscapes. Every season can be observed in the book as well as a sweet friend that Wintercub takes along on his path. I loved drawing.
Look at that cover! This sounds so intriguing. I can't wait for it to release in the U.S. and to see what else you both create next. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?
ILSA - I would like to visit the ones in America (Yellowstone, Yosemite). I know I would be unhappy if I couldn't get out into nature regularly. I love the sea, forests, and mountains. Everything seems so much grander; nature continues to amaze and is my inexhaustible source of inspiration. Autumn and winter are my favorite seasons.
Sao Migel National Park, Portugal
DANA - I can advise you to go to Scotland. Then walking in the region of Inverness where Nessie also lives. The Scottish highlands are breathtaking and magical with the architectural styles there. Jezera Plitvice National Park in Croatia is also magical with its green forests, turquoise waters and countless waterfalls. There is still a lot on my wish list... but at the top is the “Azores” in Portugal, the ‘Sao Migel National Park’ to be specific.
Thank you Ilsa & Dana for sharing with us a bit about yourselves and your new picture book.
Be sure to come back on Friday for the Perfect Picture Book #PPBF SNEAK PEEK at Nessie!
To find out more about Ilse De Keyzer. or to contact her:
Website: https://www.ilsedekeyzer.be/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeugdauteur
To find out more about Dana Martens, or to contact them:
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