Illustration Inspiration: Eda Kaban, Illustrator of Pink is for Boys

The Children’s Book Review | August 29, 2018

Eda Kaban was born and raised in Turkey and has had a passion for drawing, reading, and monkey bars since a young age. She is the illustrator on a number of books and when she’s not drawing, you can find her climbing rocks or biking the hills of the Bay area. She and her husband live in Oakland, California.

I make art because …

That’s how I connect with the world around me. I’m so happy and content when I make art that all I want is to spread the feeling.

My latest published book is …

Pink is for Boys, written by Robb Pearlman published by Running Press.

Art medium used …

Digital. I paint on a Cintiq  & work in Photoshop.

Artistic process …

It always starts with some hair pulling and blank page anxiety. Once I can move past that, I create some rough sketches and work in black and white to resolve composition. When I’m content with the design, I move on to some quick color comps. Once all the preliminary work is done, I start painting the final image. I try not to jump into the final painting prematurely. It’s always better to resolve as much as possible beforehand. Otherwise, I end up losing more time or not being happy with the result.

I am inspired by …

Anything and everything mid-century, Wes Anderson movies, vintage Jazz album covers, music, nature…

My favorite place to create & illustrate is …

My studio at home. It’s hard to imagine working somewhere else.

My most used art supply or tool is …

My Cintiq.

I love gouache and colored pencils for traditional medium, and secretly wish I used those the most.

Illustrator idols …

To name some of my favorite illustrators; Mary Blair (always), Eyvind Earle, Tadahiro Uesugi, Annette Marnat, Benji Davies, Lou Romano, Simone Massoni…  There are so many artists that I admire!

All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t illustrate…

Little Prince

A literary character to create art with …

Harry P-p-p-potter!!

Currently working on …

I’m currently working on two picture books; Pirates Don’t Go to Kindergarten written by Lisa Robinson and published by Two Lions, and another one from Disney/Marvel that I can’t reveal the title of yet.

To learn more about Eda Kaban and ‘Pink is for Boys,’ visit:

EdaKabanStudio.com | Facebook – Eda Kaban Studio | Instagram | Twitter – Petite Turk | Tumblr

Facebook – Running Press Kids | Twitter – Running Press Kids | RunningPress.com/titles/robb-pearlman/pink-is-for-boys/9780762492107/

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Pink is for Boys

Written by Robb Pearlman

Illustrated by Eda Kaban

Publisher’s Synopsis: An empowering and educational picture book that proves colors are for everyone, regardless of gender.

Pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! This timely and beautiful picture book rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids-and their grown-ups-to express themselves in every color of the rainbow. Featuring a diverse group of relatable characters, Pink Is for Boys invites and encourages girls and boys to enjoy what they love to do, whether it’s racing cars and playing baseball, or loving unicorns and dressing up. Vibrant illustrations help children learn and identify the myriad colors that surround them every day, from the orange of a popsicle, to the green of a grassy field, all the way up to the wonder of a multicolored rainbow.

Parents and kids will delight in Robb Pearlman’s sweet, simple script, as well as its powerful message: life is not color-coded.

Ages 4-7 | Publisher: Running Press Kids | June 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-0762462476

Available Here: 

Discover more picture book illustration inspiration and books like Pink is for Boys, written by Robb Pearlman and Illustrated by Eda Kaban, on The Children’s Book Review by following along with our Illustration Inspiration series and articles tagged with Colors, Diversity, Picture Book, and Self-Empowerment.