Seventeen-year-old Thashen Moodley from Weltevreden Park had an international breakthrough when he illustrated his first children’s book for a London-based author, Range George Naidoo.
The Allen Glen High School learner illustrated the book when he was 14 years old, and it was finally published recently.
Through word of mouth the author learnt of Thashen’s artistic abilities and entrusted him with her script. Whilst still at school he juggled his busy schedule to work on the illustrations as well.
Thashen brought the book The Different Dinosaur to life as he hand-painted every single image. With his amazing talent and attention to detail, the author chose to print his unfiltered, authentic, hand-painted images, as they were.
“The book is suitable for kids between the ages of two and six years old. The author depicted a heart-warming story that teaches kids to be kind and to appreciate one another despite our differences,” said Thashen.
The book is now available to purchase on Amazon, in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India etc, and also on Kindle.
The budding illustrator who is now in matric has already been commissioned to illustrate another book for an international author, and has been inundated with calls to procure his services.
Thashen attributes his achievement to hard work, and to owning his talent and passion for drawing, animation and illustrating.
Illustrators are commissioned to produce still drawings for use in advertisements, books, magazines, packaging, greetings cards and newspapers. It is essential for illustrators to prepare a sound portfolio of work that can be used to demonstrate their abilities.
