Creating a famous Big Fella (+ give away)

Papamoa illustrator Richard Hoit with some of the artwork from 'Tis the month before Christmas' -- the true story of Santa. PHOTO/STUART WHITAKER

There are more constants than variables in Santa's appearance, but illustrator Richard Hoit has still managed to create his own version of the big fella.

Well-known and well respected in the publishing industry, Richard, who lives in Papamoa, has created the illustrations for Patricia Chapman's latest book 'Tis the month before Christmas -- the true story of Santa.

"A book is a marriage," says Richard. "There's nothing worse than the words and pictures fighting each other on the page -- I am constantly thinking I don't want the pictures to detract from the lovely words."

Prior to working on Patricia's book, Richard worked on a series of Buzzy Bee books written by Joy Cowley where there were understandable parameters he had to work to

"It's unusual to be so constrained -- with others I do I have got free reign. Santa is Santa, but I wanted to create my own view of Santa."

The process began in October last year.

"I got the first manuscript and Patricia had highlighted certain parts of the text."

He broke the 112-page book down into three batches, creating initial monochrome sketches before sending them for approval. Once approved he added the colour

"That was probably a four-month project," he says.

With the book set in Lapland, he had to create authentic costumes without falling foul of copyright or intellectual property restrictions.

Richard says it was a lovely story to illustrate.

"It's like an advent calendar, except you read a story each day in the lead up to Christmas and you are not allowed to peek to find out what the next one is.

"I envisage mum or dad reading the story to kids and the excitement of waiting for the next one."

It builds up to the story of how Santa became Santa.

The first book that Richard illustrated was published in 1992 and since then he has provided the images for around 450 books.

"When I started, I used to do airbrush and water colours. Now it's all digital -- you work like you would with a normal palette and it takes just as long, but you have the freedom to tweak colours."

In recent years he has also started working on apps that tie in with books, but he doesn't believe there is a terminal decline in book sales.

"Books are here to stay. There's something tangible about a book; it's a physical thing -- but even with Kindle or an iPad there's still a need for content." The book is available in local bookshops including Papamoa Paper Plus.

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The Bay News has a signed copy of 'Tis the month before Christmas -- the true story of Santa to be won by one lucky reader. Click here to like the Bay News page, then like and answer the question on our Facebook post of this story. Winners will be drawn at noon on Wednesday, December 9.