THINK QUICK with Illustrators The Brothers Hilts

3/22/2015

Hi Sean and Ben! I love the illustrations in your new picture book with Paul Czajak, Seaver the Weaver. I am so curious how the two of you work as brother team to make your art come alive. All of the THINK QUICK themes below either appear in Seaver the Weaver or address sibling rivalry...er...teamwork. Let’s see which way you lean. Remember, THINK QUICK!

On Design:
Hexagons or Circles?

Spiders or Webs?

On Differences:
Blend in or stand out?

On Catching Prey:
Old traditions or new?

On Moonlight:
Shadowed/Mysterious or Bright/Revealing?

On Teamwork:
Both with Pencil in hand or only one?

On Color:
Bold or muted?

On Revision:
Agree or disagree?

On Team Decisions:
Difficult or easy?

On Success:
Follow rules or bend them?

On Books:
Seaver the Weaver or Seaver the Weaver?

Thanks for thinking quick with us, Sean and Ben, and for the time and dedication you put into this interview. There are incredible statements in your art. The power of illustration blows me away!

Click here for a SEAVER THE WEAVER review
By Carrie Charley Brown
Seaver the Weaver has the feel of a classic and the heart of a champion...

Thanks to Mighty Media Press for sponsoring our giveaway!

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The Brothers Hilts are Ben and Sean. They work as a team illustrating, designing, and constantly comparing to see whose ideas are better. Sean went to Rhode Island School of Design, and Ben went to Cooper Union in New York City. They now live and work in Somerville, MA.

55 Comments

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/21/2015 06:29:00 pm

First time I've ever watched an illustrator's interview. Very cool!

Linda Schueler link

3/21/2015 10:25:20 pm

Cool way of answering!

Kirsti Call

3/21/2015 10:31:20 pm

LOVED these images and your work in Seaver the Weaver! Fantastic interview!

Sean Hilts link

3/22/2015 04:51:45 am

Thanks Kristi!

Catherine Johnson link

3/22/2015 12:33:10 am

Love this interview, Carrie. Those doodles rock! Looking forward to reading Saver the Weaver.

Elaine Hillson

3/22/2015 01:33:06 am

Great interview - loved the doodles.

Lisa Connors link

3/22/2015 02:29:18 am

An interview of show not tell! Thanks.

Juliana Lee link

3/22/2015 02:39:51 am

Wow! Never seen or enjoyed an interview as much as this one!

maria gianferrari link

3/22/2015 03:29:10 am

Ha! Love your responses--so hilarious, and it's great that they're all visual.

Deborah Allmand

3/22/2015 03:42:07 am

Such clever answers. I look forward to seeing more of your illustrations.

Rachel Hamby link

3/22/2015 04:57:46 am

Look forward to reading Seaver. Love the yellow bird on your website, Hilt Bros.

Lori Dubbin

3/22/2015 05:21:30 am

I enjoyed your well drawn out answers and quiet yet LOUD interview! I can't wait to read SEAVER THE WEAVER.

Deirdre Englehart

3/22/2015 05:39:39 am

I love the approach to this interview! Fun!

Heidi Yates

3/22/2015 05:43:11 am

A few years ago I attended a SCBWI conference presentation on how The Insomniacs book was created. I love Ben and Sean's amazing illustrations. They make a terrific team. I'm looking forward to reading Seaver the Weaver.

Carol Gordon Ekster link

3/22/2015 05:58:58 am

Such talent! Thanks for sharing.

Maria Marshall

3/22/2015 06:13:23 am

I echo the comments of "amazing" and "talented' answers. I particularly like the answers to "On Moonlight" and "Differences." I can't wait to see "Seaver the Weaver." Thanks both of you and Carrie.

Carrie Charley Brown

3/26/2015 06:23:05 pm

You are welcome, Maria! Revealing and uploading the answers one by one blew me away! It was like turning the page of a really good picture book and being delighted at every turn!

Juliann (Juli) Caveny link

3/22/2015 06:17:33 am

Fantastic answers! Amazing how easy it is to understand through images. I think I'll show this post to my students! (By the way, I loved Insomniacs...I'll be checking this one out soon too!)

Kathy Mazurowski

3/22/2015 06:18:04 am

Love your creative answers!

Laura J / Laura Jenkins

3/22/2015 06:40:15 am

Very cool and imaginative!

Suzy Leopold

3/22/2015 06:41:38 am

Such amazing illustrations. My answer to the first question on design is CIRCLES. Thank you guys. What cool brothers you are, Ben & Sean. Extra treats for your canine friend today and a pat on the head from me.

Robin Currie link

3/22/2015 08:54:24 am

Excellent - what fun guys!

Keila Dawson link

3/22/2015 10:08:10 am

Two heads are better than one? Even with your individual perspective. Love your art.

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/22/2015 01:20:25 pm

Loved all of these imaginative images! Thanks for sharing. They're so much fun I'm about to go through them a second time. :)

Laura Renauld

3/22/2015 02:53:21 pm

Fantastic illustrations. Can't wait to read it!

Vivian Kirkfield link

3/22/2015 03:36:48 pm

Dynamite duo...dynamite illustrations - dynamite book. KABOOM!
It was fun getting a peek inside some of your illustration process...it was...dynamite! :)

MaDonna Maurer link

3/22/2015 09:02:33 pm

First illustrated interview - loved it. So much fun and energy!

Maria Laso

3/22/2015 09:22:01 pm

I'm drawn to you.
(See what I did there?)
Will you be my friend?!

Shereentv

3/22/2015 10:06:24 pm

So clever! Enjoyed that interview!

Jennifer Judd link

3/23/2015 01:26:15 am

May be the best. interview. ever. Loved this!

Ann Kelley

3/23/2015 01:34:03 am

So imaginative and creative. Can't wait to read and see the illustrations in Seaver the Weaver!

Kristi Veitenheimer

3/23/2015 02:06:48 am

How fun to be able to work with your sibling!

Erin Nowak link

3/23/2015 03:46:39 am

I always learn something from your interviews and posts Carrie, but as an illustrator this one was especially helpful. Can't wait to check this book out.

lauri meyers link

3/23/2015 05:49:58 am

Well, I can tell for sure that much fun was had in the creation of Seaver the Weaver!

Carrie Charley Brown

3/23/2015 06:16:21 am

Thanks, again, Sean and Ben, for enlightening us with your creativity and ability to interplay in just the right way! It was a true treat to open each of your images and see how they interplayed with my questions. I know many of us, who are seeking publication, look forward to the day that we can have this type of experience seeing our picture book stories illustrations for the first time. You truly rock!

Denise Engle

3/24/2015 04:55:15 am

Loved the illustrations! So glad to have the opportunity to experience the work of the pros.

Teresa MI Schaefer link

3/24/2015 05:47:37 am

Fun 'interview'!

Darlene Frybarger

3/24/2015 08:08:56 am

What a wonderful, quirky interview! First time I've seen an interview in pictures. Great job, Carrie!

Michelle Heidenrich Barnes link

3/24/2015 12:01:34 pm

Fabulous! Can't wait to get my hands on this book!

Nancy Brown

3/24/2015 12:18:28 pm

Cool interview! Can't wait to see the book

WENDY ENGELMANN

3/25/2015 05:58:51 pm

You answers were wonderful and so meaningful. I love the book, can't wait to read it and see all of the illustrations. Spiders with facial expressions - who knew!!

Julie Burchstead

3/25/2015 11:36:16 pm

Fun to see the process from an illustrator perspective. Is it easy working as a team? Does it ever pose any special challenges? I love the humor that permeates through your work.

Ellen L. Ramsey link

3/26/2015 12:31:52 am

What a fun interview! And I love the visual jokes in your work.

Ann Magee

3/26/2015 02:05:06 am

What a fun, interesting interview! Thanks! I look forward to enjoying your picture books.

Sandy Powell

3/26/2015 06:25:30 am

I thought I was reading a picture book instead of an interview. An interview written as a picture book! Awesome! I can't wait to read "Seaver the Weaver." Love the artwork and concept.

Penny Parker Klostermann link

3/26/2015 06:35:42 am

I can't wait to read this book! What a great idea! One I wish I'd had :-) Love the title!

Caroline Twomey link

3/26/2015 10:01:03 am

") I love that! Very entertaining ")

Chana Stiefel link

3/26/2015 10:07:30 am

👏👏👏

Mary McClellan

3/26/2015 02:07:34 pm

I say let the dog decide! P.S. Did you guys respond like this to tests in school? :-) That would have been fun!!!

Carrie Charley Brown

3/26/2015 06:25:26 pm

Not sure what they did in school, Mary, but they followed "the teacher's" (my) request and answered in illustration for this interview. :)

Manju Howard link

3/26/2015 02:17:49 pm

I like seeing both sides of two sided questions.

Heather Pierce Stigall

3/26/2015 02:51:53 pm

cool post!

Sue Heavenrich

3/26/2015 03:05:19 pm

as a weaver, and an entomologist - I think this book sounds like a perfect thing to read to kids! Can't wait to see it.

Urania Smith

3/26/2015 03:06:06 pm

Funny post! I have Seaver the Weaver on order. I can't wait until it comes it.

Jeanette Bradley

3/30/2015 02:40:16 am

I absolutely love the responses in illustration!

Carrie Charley Brown

As a children’s writer, and a teacher, my goal is to help you carry on. Sometimes learning is challenging, so why go it alone? Your journey will be more meaningful and comfortable with friends to share it with. Together, we'll get up close and personal with authors, illustrators, and the best of picture books. If we work together, great things will follow!