Hervé Tullet, artist and author of the bestselling children’s book Press Here, recently released a new book– Mix it Up!–which takes readers on a whimsical adventure in color and shape. Tullet will be in New York this weekend for two kid-friendly events: He’ll be reading at the Guggenheim on Saturday, October 18, and joining families to play with color at Brooklyn Public Library on Sunday, October 19.
We spoke with Tullet about Mix it Up!, his creative process, and how children inspire his work. Don’t miss the opportunity to create art with Tullet and hear him read from his new book this weekend!
You have such a wonderful sensibility when it comes to knowing what will delight and engage children—how did you develop it?
I’ve been working a lot in schools, sometimes for long periods, with the same class or the whole school.
I learned a lot from the children: how to read my books, how to go beyond asking, “So now what do we do?” With a lot of improvisation and confidence, we have incredible and unexpected adventures.
Together, children and I have amazing experiences that undeniably feed my sensibility. 
How is it informed by your background in fine arts?
When I was in art school, I was reluctant to enter the tiny, tiny field of the children books seemed filled with bears and rabbits talking to each other.
I understood when I became an illustrator and author, at age 35, that I could find ideas and draw without being on all fours like an animal or child. I could stay true to myself.
My background in fine art informed me in an unexpected way. It was kind of a revolt.
Tell us about your latest book, Mix It Up!
Mix it Up! is a book about this wonderful idea that a blue and a yellow mixed together create another one. That’s quite magic on its own!
It took quite a long time, almost 3 years, after the huge success of Press Here, to go on in the same type of idea without copying or duplicating myself.
When I found the way to draw it – practically without drawing, just stain and marks, hand paint, – I understood I was on the right path.
What’s your creative process when you’re developing the concept for a book?
I’m always thinking that I must create a space, a blank, an empty space that the readers will fill with their own back ground, sensibility, ideas, moments.
And also, I do not forget that there’s always two readers: an adult who knows how to read, and a child that does not. The book is in the middle talking to the two of them, and I try to set up a the dialogue between them with equality.
What do you hope readers take away from your work?
That they will love the book, because it’s new, innovative, surprising. Then they will look for and discover other books and other creative people who are always looking for new readers to discover them
That they will discover what books, movies, paintings and so on can bring to their lives. That to be feed by culture as a good way to live in this world, and sometimes it can save your life
What are some ways you like to spend time and get creative with your kids? Are they interested in art?
They are now quite grown, ages 22, 19, and 14, and they are all interested in art. Two of them are good readers. I’m still trying to convince the last one to read more, but nobody’s perfect.
