Description:
As any illustrator should know, the language of the picture book is based on a unique relationship between words and pictures. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see books that don’t take full advantage of this relationship’s potential. Through an in-depth presentation of illuminating examples, followed by a practical session, this Creative Lab will help attendees apply this principle to their personal work.
Skill Level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced):
All levels.
This workshop is best for participants…
who are illustrators or author/illustrators.
Prerequisites and Advanced Preparation:
Read and study the following picture books, paying particular attention to the way words and pictures work together. Then have a friend read the books to you without showing you the pictures. They should read leaving enough time from page to page and spread to spread. While you listen, try imagining how you could illustrate those words. Don’t do more than two books per session, and take a long break between the two books, or you’ll be too confused! After that, read and reread the books paying particular attention to the illustrators’ choices. Ask yourself questions like: What did they choose to show? What did they leave out? What did they add that the text did not mention? Why one picture in a small spot while another occupies the whole page or spread?
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
- Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
- George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends by James Marshall
- The Stupids Die by Harry Allard and James Marshall
- Snow by Uri Shulevitz
- Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
- Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea and Lane Smith
- Bumble-Ardy by Maurice Sendak
- Dillweed’s Revenge by Florence Parry Heide and Carson Ellis
Schedule:
- Introduction (10 minutes)
- Visual presentation (40 minutes)
- Break (10 minutes)
- First exercise: From literal to unfaithful: One sentence, three drawings (25 minutes)
- Second exercise: Misinterpreting the text (25 minutes)
- Final Q&A (10 minutes)
Objectives:
- Attendees will develop a better understanding of how words and pictures can and should work together on the pages of a picture book.
- Each participant will find a novel way to put their own personal illustration style in an original and fruitful collaboration with the text.
