// On this page you will find everything about our book project, how the illustrations were made, media reports, the book presentation and information about the exhibition //
Brabant Folktales
"The book Brabant Folktales is a book that every Brabander should have in the cupboard"
The book presentation and opening of the
Brabant Folktales Exhibition
| December 2, 2023, Bühne, Breda
On December 2, 2023 the time had come. The book presentation of our book 'Brabant Folktales'. Author Naomi Jansen and I presented the book to Mayor Paul Depla of the Municipality of Breda. We were interviewed by Ingrid Boschman. The opening of the exhibition took place at the same time. This shows 23 works in full size. It is a selection of the work I made last year for the book Brabant Folktales.
The exhibition is freely accessible until January 7, 2024 at Bühne Breda, Sint Janstraat 11.
About the illustrations and the drawing process
I developed an own illustration style for this book. Where the individual illustrations of the individual stories also fit together in a pattern. This pattern is repeated in the rear endpaper. In this way I wanted to reflect the solidarity of Brabant cities and villages in the illustrations.
St. John's Cathedral (Den Bosch), Baseliek (Oudenbosch), Peperbus (Bergen op Zoom), Helmond Castle (Helmond) and the Grote Kerk (Breda) can be found on the book cover. This video is an accelerated drawing process of how the illustration of the book cover of Brabant Folktales came about.
Zwarte Kaat at Hoeve Ten Vorsel in Bladel.
Accelerated drawing process of the Ten Vorsel farm in Bladel.
Illustrations that appear as a pattern at the back of the book and at the beginning of the chapter.
The cabinet of curiosities and the Beren van Erp. (Meierijstad) This is a small corner of the total drawing of 420 x 594 mm. Many illustrations were made in this size and reduced for the book.
About the Dutch cities and villages
We regularly receive the following question: 'Will my city or village be included in the book?'
Reason enough to share a list of them. See below which cities and towns have a full chapter dedicated to them.
Bakel
Bergen op Zoom (2x)
Bladel
North Brabant general (3x)
Breda (3x)
Den Bosch (2x)
Duss
Etten-Leur (3x)
Eindhoven (2x)
Erp (Meierijstad)
Gemert
Heeze
Helmond (2x)
The Kempen
De Langstraat (Kaatsheuvel, Dongen, Sprang-Kapelle, Waalwijk)
Oosterhout
Oudenbosch
The Peel
Steenbergen
Sint-Oedenrode (Meierijstad)
TilburgUdenhout
About the Graphic Design
Impuslar Strategy & Design Created the graphic design for our book. Below you can clearly see how the red and white of theBrabant flag are reflected in the graphic design. Each chapter starts with a red page with an illustration about that particular place. In addition, there are many wide-angle illustrations with rich details. Below is the example of Bergen op Zoom.
The book (17 x 24 cm) is offset printed on Munken paper. There is gold foil on the cover, spine and back. A real eye-catcher for the bookcase.
You will receive the book and we will ensure that it is on your doormat before the holidays, so that you can give the beautiful gift to yourself or to someone special.
The book is offset printed on Munken paper. On the cover, spine and back Typography in gold foil. The colors red & white of Brabant will also be reflected in the design of the book. A real eye-catcher for your bookcase.
Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 in Zundert. Vincent's parents lived in Etten between 1875 and 1882.
Vincent often spent the holidays with his parents and in 1881 he lived in Etten for a few months.
Castle Dussen is one of the castles that is used as an illustration in the book Brabantse Volksverhalen.
Bedroom of Mrs. Suringar in Castle Dussen (1930s) The story about the woman with the six sleepers.
Accelerated Cartoon: How Mrs. Suringar's Bedroom Came To Be. This drawing is also drawn on a size of
Chaos in the kitchen of Bouvigne Castle (Breda)
Accelerated video of the drawing processabout the chaos in Bouvigne castle.
Story about the chickens at the T-house in Stadspark Valkenberg
Accelerated video of the drawing process of the illustration about the Meierijstad.
About us
Naomi Jansen (1986) (left)
is the author of Brabant Folktales and is a first-degree teacher of Dutch. She followed a master's degree in teaching Dutch and a free minor in journalism. She has been teaching at a secondary school since 2011. She still enjoys doing that, but writing has always been her passion. In 2020, together with Melanie Drent, she published the book Breda Folk Stories that was received with open arms.
Melanie Drent (1980)(right)
is the Illustrator of Brabant Folktales. She graduated summa cum laude from the HogeschoolSchool of the Arts in Utrecht, direction Illustration. Since 2006 she has been illustrating with great pleasure for clients at home and abroad and she has won many international prizes with this. She prefers to approach the world full of wonder and through the eyes of a tourist. Her style is characterized by black and white pen drawings full of details and with a touch of humour.
News
May 28th. 2023: Naomi and Melanie were guests at the GrensGeluiden broadcast, presentation René Oomen
GrensGeluiden is there every Sunday morning from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Regional Frequencies: 107.3 fm. Ziggo: 915 or 1915. KPN & XS4all: 1008 or listen live via the internet.
June 17, 2023 Naomi and I were guests at the broadcast of Brabants Buske from Omroep Brabant.
Every Sunday at 5:40 PM (repeat every hour)
Below I tell you about my illustrations during the broadcast. (in Dutch)
