Don’t you think this book is a bit manga-like? Or is it more like a western comic book? The more I try to make up my mind, the less certain I am.

I have got a book called Mundo Manga. I found it in a little bookshop. There were questions to illustrators related to manga. Some of them were properly mangaka, but others were more or less loosely influenced by this drawing style.

I thought it could be fun to try and answer some of the questions myself.

1. Where do your ideas for your drawings come from? How do you do your work?

I get ideas from a variety of sources: Funny situations that have happened to me, books I’ve read, travels, children…  Good ideas are everywhere; you just have to look at things with love and curious eyes. A different story is what you’re able to do with these ideas! I wouldn’t have been able to paint Las Meninas even if I had had the idea myself!

2. What do you do just before starting to draw?

First, I wash my hands.

Second, I check the last page I was working on the previous day. You look at things differently in the morning. I can get hypercritical in the evening.

3. Which are your favourite drawing tools and why?

I draw with a propelling pencil, a Staedtler. Same trademark for the leads and rubber. Then UniPin drawing pens, which used to be made in Japan and they were wonderful. Now they’re made in Vietnam… And the tip is not exactly the same any more. Maybe you don’t notice the difference when you’re drawing, but you do when you have to write. I use an Edding permanent marker for very thick lines.

As about colours, I’m very happy with a red Pilot G-Tec and a light blue Paper Mate Kilometrico for some thin lines and letters. Blue, red and black Copic Ciao markers to colour. They’re expensive, but they are worth it.

And lots of different rulers!

4. Who are your favourite artists?

As regards drawing, I look up to many people. To name just two artists, I’ll say Dick Bruna and David Mazzucchelli.

5. Which is the most important lesson you’ve learned and you’d like to tell other people?

Don’t think you can’t do something: Try. If you don’t like the results: Keep trying! Five times, twenty times, 70 times, until you’re happy and satisfied.