Olidin, by Friso Henstra
'Olidin' (1960).

Friso Henstra was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 1928. He studied drawing and sculpting at the Rijksacademie voor Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, and became an illustrator and comic artist. His first drawings appeared in magazine Mandril. Together with writer W. Schippers, he created the comic strip 'Olidin' for the magazine with the same name. The strip ran from 1957 until 1963. Other important contributors to Olidin were Emile BrumsteedeWim Giesbers, Frits GodhelpNiek Hiemstra, Hans G. Kresse, Jan Kruis, Ted Mathijsen, Joost Rietveld, Chris Roodbeen, Jan van der Voo, P. Visser, Dick Vlottes, Carol Voges, Joop Wiggers and Piet Wijn. Henstra also drew the strip 'Florestan' for magazine Haak In.

Olidin, by Friso Henstra

In 1968, Henstra became a teacher at the Art Academy in Arnhem and the book 'De Koningskruistocht' appeared, written by Jay Williams and illustrated by Henstra. The American writer was so impressed with Henstra's drawings that he asked him to illustrate his book 'The Practical Princess'. Soon, Friso Henstra's career made an international breakthrough, and he won several prizes for illustrated books like 'The Silver Wistle', 'The Round Sultan', 'Petronella', 'Mighty Mizzling Mouse' and 'Forgetful Fred'.

From Haak In, by Friso Henstra
'Haak In'. 

From 1978 he also wrote books himself (which he illustrated as well). The first was 'Wait and See'. In The Netherlands, he made several book covers for books like the Barbara Willard series and the Multatuli portraits. In 1992 he received the Gouden Penseel for the book 'Waarom Niet'. He passed away in Amsterdam on 28 September 2013.

Florestan, by Friso Henstra
'Florestan'. 

Series and books by Friso Henstra you can order today:

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