Francisco Fonseca

I’ve been following this illustrator, Francisco Fonseca on Instagram and finally did a search to see whether I could own some of his work. He specializes in quirky buildings and moody environments.

Published Books:

Just a Rabbit, published by Ethicool Books
April's Window, Published by Ethicool Books
When Grandpa Was the Moon, Published by Ethicool Books
But Why?, Published by Ethicool Books
Domino’s Tree House, Published by WorthyKids (Hachette)
The Winterton Deception, Published by Penguin Random House

In an interview, he is asked what his favorite illustrated books are.

“ Because I didn’t have many picture books when I was younger, now I compensate for that by buying them as a gifts for myself all the time. Some of my all-time favourites are : Sam and Dave dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, Ziggy and the Moonlight Show by Kristina Litten, Grandad’s Secret Giant by David Litchfield and I also love all types of art books from movies and games (honestly they are my favourites), I love the Allen Lee sketchbook book from Lord of the Rings, that book inspired me so much when I was in high school and I still have it in my side desk to look at it when I go to bed.”

I am captivated.

Domino’s Tree House came yesterday.

My review:
I discovered the illustrator on Instagram (link on author page); and love his moody landscapes and his house portraits. So I was expecting great things from this book. I’m disappointed. The village homes are plain and vanilla. There is one last view of it, at dusk, that gives some hint of what he can do. It’s like the publisher chose him and then told him to tone it down.
The tree house treatment is better, slightly. I do like his garden greeneries and night skies. Oddly, he put cookies in a glass bottle. How?
The endpapers are nice.

Check out his other work:
https://www.instagram.com/_francis.co?igsh=MXZ5bzg4bWlnMnBkOA==

I definitely want one of his calendars.