The Art of Charles Tang

This is a unique look into children's book illustrations. It reveals the stages of illustration, from concepts drawn for approval by editors and art directors to the finished paintings. Some of the paintings are shown side-by-side with their published version.

My work was influenced by Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth and the Brandywine School. Growing up, the illustrations from Treasure Island, Robin Hood and The Last of the Mohicans filled my imagination with mysteries and adventures from different historical periods. I was inspired to draw.

I was mostly a self—taught illustrator. My friends Charles Gehm and James Griffin introduced me to some art directors, and I was lucky enough to get started right away. I have painted hundreds of book covers, as well as interior drawings. Even with all the pressure—packed deadlines, I enjoyed my career as an illustrator.

Painting was the fun part. Sometimes the most challenging part was coming up with an idea for the book cover after reading the manuscript. Doing research for the costumes and background was important–it was a fun and complex process!

Now it is time to do my own representational figurative and landscape paintings. Hopefully you will see me painting with my easel somewhere in Brooklyn!

Charles Tang is a landscape, portrait and wildlife artist and a former book illustrator. As an illustrator, he created more than 80 book covers and 720 interior drawings for The Boxcar Children mystery series by Gertrude Chandler Warner, in addition to illustrating other series. He has an upcoming solo show of his work at Martin Lerner Gallery in New York, and he has participated in group shows in New Jersey at Trenton City Museum, St. Francis Medical Center, Mercer County Community College and Pingry School. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute.

To contact Charles Tang:
charles.tang@gmail.com

Snow Bound Mystery
©Charles Tang

Tiger
©Charles Tang