In this two-part series, children’s book writer and translator Wang Li* interviews the creators of the internationally bestselling and multi-award-winning Chinese picture book A New Year’s Reunion, to put us in a festive mood for the upcoming Spring Festival/Lunar New Year. This book was previously reviewed on our blog, and also appeared on our recommended books list for World Book Day 2020.

In part one today, Wang Li speaks to the book’s illustrator Zhu Chengliang—renowned Chinese artist, and esteemed author, editor and illustrator of many beloved children’s books.

By Wang Li

Wang Li: What inspired you to become an artist?

Zhu Chengliang: It mainly started with my love for drawing as a child. Even before I started school, I enjoyed doodling and drawing. When I was in elementary school, I attended an art class at the local Children’s Activity Center. Back then, these classes were free. You just had to pass a small test to show you could draw, and then you were in. Paper was quite expensive at the time, so my father came up with a solution—he bought me a blackboard. I could draw on it, erase it, and draw again.

When I reached middle school, there was a dedicated art club. My mentor was excellent. He gathered a group of students who liked to draw, and we practiced together in the club. Sometimes we painted in color; other times, we worked on sketches. He was young, a graduate of Nanjing Normal University, and working as an art teacher at Suzhou No. 1 High School. He gave us great guidance. Later [in the late 1960’s], during the Down to the Countryside Movement, I participated in exhibitions and continued drawing. Eventually, I was admitted to Nanjing University of the Arts to study oil painting. There, I received formal training.

Wang Li: I really love your art. I could just sit and look at it over and over again. What do you think are the characteristics of your art?

Zhu Chengliang: I’d say I’m quite versatile. For instance, I sometimes create realistic pieces that are pretty true-to-life. That’s one aspect. On the other hand, I also enjoy exaggerated styles with a touch of folk art. The visual language of folk art inspires my approach. Have you seen Don’t Let the Sun Fall Down? [《别让太阳掉下来》/ Don’t Let the Sun Fall Down is an award-winning picture book written by Guo Zhenyuan and illustrated by Zhu Chengliang.]

Wang Li: I have. The book not only incorporates folk art elements but also has a strong sense of design. I think the colors are bold and impactful. The overall design of the book is excellent too.

Zhu Chengliang: Yes, exactly. In fact, design—including bookbinding design—is very important for picture books. It makes the story more engaging. Design is a crucial aspect.

Wang Li: Your work draws people in easily. In A New Year’s Reunion, the colors you used for the night snow are fantastic. Could you share how you approach colors and details?

Zhu Chengliang: The snow at night requires cool tones, but it also needs to convey a sense of warmth and carry a sense of time as the sky slowly darkens. Actually, painting snow—or painting white in general—can have different temperatures. A sunlit snowy scene doesn’t feel as cold. Take the painting of the dragon dance, for example. You can see the white wall, and with the surrounding colors, the white doesn’t feel cold at all. With the presence of the dragon, the lanterns, the people, the balloons, and the sky, you feel like the white creates a kind of bustling atmosphere. It feels warm. It’s the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) in winter. I think when white is used well, it brings comfort and can effectively express emotions.

In the painting where Maomao is in the barbershop with her father, the white in the center of the composition is the cloth. The barber is wrapping it around the father’s neck. This is a dynamic moment. The white here has its own role. Maomao hasn’t seen her father for a year. His rough beard seems different from the father she remembers. Maomao hopes that the barber, like a magician, will bring her familiar father back. This dynamic detail represents Maomao’s inner feelings.

These details are important. Whether or not readers notice them, I believe that someday they might uncover hidden meanings. Color in picture books has unlimited power. It can do anything. There’s no such thing as a bad color.

Wang Li: Yes, you’ve given the book a lot of thought and careful consideration.

Zhu Chengliang: This has gone through multiple revisions. Based on the editor’s suggestions and my own imagination, I made changes.

Zhu Chengliang: The cover changed because of cultural aspects. For the version published in the United States, they didn’t use this cover.

Wang Li: Yes, it’s the one with the coin.

Zhu Chengliang: That’s right. The French and English versions used that. But for countries like Korea and Japan, the cover is the same as ours, because Eastern and Western cultures are different.

Wang Li: You’ve worked as an editor. What’s important to you as an editor?

Zhu Chengliang: The selection of topics. It’s very important to select a good topic. The author [‘s style of writing] is also crucial. One person can’t do it all.

Wang Li: Could you recommend some Chinese picture books to readers beyond China?

Zhu Chengliang: Yes, Cai Gao’s books, such as Mulan and Bao’er. Also, Wang Zumin’s books, and Zhou Xiang’s The Day Vegetables Became Goblins and The Morning Market at Lotus Town.

Wang Li: These are great. I remember seeing Ms. Cai Gao’s book in a New York public library among all the English books, and I was very touched. Could you share what you have been working on lately?

Zhu Chengliang: I’m working on a story for Oriental Children [东方娃娃, a Chinese children’s magazine] about animals crossing a small puddle. I also released a book this year called The Baotu Spring, which tells a folktale about the origin of the Baotu Spring.

Wang Li: Wow! Baotu Spring is in my home province of Shandong. [Mr. Zhu showed me the book page by page. I highly recommend it.]

Wang Li: Thank you so much! I’ve learned a lot today.

Zhu Chengliang: You are welcome.

***

* Chinese personal names present the surname or family name before the given name. Wang Li’s surname is Wang. You might also see her name written in English as Li Wang, and Zhu Chengliang as Chengliang Zhu.