Vietnamese artist illustrates global Harry Potter books

Pham Quang Phuc - a young Vietnamese artist who participated in illustrating the book 'Harry Potter - The Wizarding World' - nurtured his childhood passion by making his own paper toys.

Artist Pham Quang Phuc and the book he illustrated - Photo: Provided by Tre Publishing House

This October, Harry Potter fans went crazy with the new book Harry Potter - The Wizarding World Vietnamese version, which was released simultaneously in more than 30 languages ​​worldwide. The book is considered a picture encyclopedia of the wizarding world .

Notably, young artist Pham Quang Phuc is the only Vietnamese artist honored to join six foreign artists to illustrate the book. Quang Phuc took on the great responsibility of drawing the cover and 16 double pages.

From the boy who loves Harry Potter

Born into a poor family, Pham Quang Phuc was not allowed to buy ready-made toys as a child because they were very expensive. Therefore, he managed to make his own toys from paper and medicine boxes with funny and creative shapes.

Growing up, Pham Quang Phuc graduated with a degree in graphic design and started working as an advertising designer and event organizer. However, deep down he always wanted to draw, especially for children.

One time, he accidentally saw some impressive illustrated picture books by foreign authors. Phuc recalled:

"I was drawn to Levi Pinfold's Black Dog, an artist I later considered my idol in the profession.

His works made me realize that the profession of illustrating children's books , if done well, can be wonderful."

Thanks to that, Phuc was determined and started his illustration work in 2012. Kim Dong Publishing House was the first place to accept him as a collaborator.

Here, Phuc was lucky to meet artist Khoa Le, editor of Kim Dong Publishing House. She guided and helped Phuc develop his strengths to clearly define his own personal style and color.

In 2015, with the work The Meo King's Party , Phuc won fourth prize in the creative campaign of the Vietnamese Children's Literature Support Project held in Denmark in 2015.

Thanks to that award, Phuc felt more confident and believed that he was suitable to pursue this job. In 2018, Phuc continued to win first prize in the illustration category for children's fiction books of the ASEAN Children's Illustration Competition (ICCRF 2018) in Thailand.

One day, Phuc suddenly received an email inviting him to participate in a secret project from Bloomsbury Publishing House.

After signing the confidentiality contract, the publisher announced that they wanted him to participate in a secret project related to Harry Potter (which was the illustration project for the book Harry Potter - The Wizarding World ). At that time, Phuc was overjoyed because he was a fan of the Harry Potter series.

To prepare for the project, Phuc re-read all the Harry Potter books and re-watched the Harry Potter movies that he loved as a child. To participate in the project, he drew a picture for the test.

That painting is the Dragon in the book Harry Potter - The Wizarding World. He had to go through about four months with more than 10 rounds of editing, then became the only Vietnamese artist to participate in a large illustration project about Harry Potter.

For a young Vietnamese artist, it was like a dream.

Artist Pham Quang Phuc signs Harry Potter - The Wizarding World for readers - Photo: HO LAM

Happy to draw with idol

For Pham Quang Phuc, the happiness was multiplied when he participated in illustrating a big project with his idol, artist Levi Pinfold. He was proud and moved that after 10 years of persistently pursuing his passion for illustration, he was finally recognized.

"From someone who only knew how to read children's books and had an ideal role model in the profession, I have achieved certain results. I consider this a milestone in my career and a motivation for me to try harder" - Phuc said.

Senior artists in the profession commented that Pham Quang Phuc's drawing style not only impresses people with its shapes but also makes them remember a lot about its content. Phuc loves to draw imaginary worlds, monsters, dragons, magical worlds...

Perhaps, a deprived childhood created opportunities for Phuc to develop his ability, passion for drawing and soaring imagination.

Today, the boy who used to tinker with homemade toys in the corner of his house has reached out to the "big ocean", participating in the international illustration industry through a work that has contributed to nurturing his soul.

"I am very impressed with Phuc's professional attitude. You always try to keep up with the work schedule.

Even when you encounter difficulties with ideas or creativity, you do not give up halfway and always find a way to overcome them" - artist Khoa Le, editor of Kim Dong Publishing House, commented on artist Pham Quang Phuc.

Tuoitre.vn