Visual diary of Bianca Berndsen – Advertising Leidschendam and Voorburg | HartKrantje-online

LOCAL WRITERS

Wed May 8, 5:00 PM

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She is not a real writer, but Bianca Berndsen from Voorburg has published a book, but with her drawings as a visual ode to the municipality of Leidschendam-Voorburg. The title is ‘Only in Leidschendam-Voorburg’. The book is a visual diary of the NOW as a counterpart to all the historical books that this municipality already has.

Bianca Berndsen (1974) went to study Spatial Design in Utrecht after high school in Voorburg. She started her career in the advertising world and subsequently worked as a consultant and project manager within corporate and government. In 2018 she won first prize at an NRC illustration competition with her visual diary of a trip to Italy. This success prompted the start of her company studio LEFF.

By drawing live during meetings and events, drawing talking pictures and making animations, she published three books: The National Drawing Challenge (2019), Drawing during conversations (2020 Doe Ut Lekker Selluf) and Mistertje Tension (2021 PTSD explanation to children). With the Learning with LEFF program, she teaches teachers how they can use drawing in the classroom for the learning process.

The book is a visual diary of the NOW as a counterpart
and all the historical books that this municipality already has.

Since 2018, Bianca has been traveling around Europe as an Urban Sketcher, recording her observations on location with ink and watercolor. Bianca also works as a volunteer for the Drawing for Children Foundation at the HMC Westeinde Hospital, where she draws everything the young patient asks for.

After completing her master’s degree, the desire arose for a visual ode to her home and workplace Leidschendam-Voorburg. With a grandfather from Stompwijk, a mother from Leidschendam and living first in Leidschendam and now in Voorburg for more than 20 years, she feels connected to all three village centers of the municipality. Bianca was always amazed at the differences in atmosphere and hustle and bustle of these three village centers and likes to talk about the various gems that these three village centers have to offer. After all, it is one municipality.

By embracing contrasts in materials (pencil, ink, watercolor paint, gouache), the illustrations create a unique view of places that current residents will not always know or recognize. The contrast in layout with illustrations of the beautiful buildings and streets in combination with text and illustrations of food/drink/portraits also gives the reader a positive image of how special this municipality is. The often personal texts and facts from Bianca’s own experience give the reader a unique diary feeling.

This book was made possible by the Leidschendam-Voorburg promotional campaign ‘Let yourself be surprised’ and is used as a promotional gift from the municipality. The limited edition is now available for purchase in limited quantities via the website www.studioleff.com.