- Full scale trials (10 hrs)
- Library visit/Spoke with a librarian (1.5 hrs)
- Research on Illustrators (1 hr)
- Listened to David Small (1 hr)
- Spoke with Sarah Stewart (30 mins)
- Worked on POV and X-ray view (2hrs)
- Collected reference images (2 hrs)
- Library visit/Spoke with a librarian (1.5 hrs)
- Research on Illustrators (1 hr)
- Listened to David Small (1 hr)
- Spoke with Sarah Stewart (30 mins)
- Worked on POV and X-ray view (2hrs)
- Collected reference images (2 hrs)
What I accomplished/encountered/discovered:
I have always wanted to write and illustrate a children's book. I always expressed my feelings through pictures. Before I could write I used to scribble next to my pictures and pretend the scribbles were words. Once, I gave one of these creations to my parents and I remember them laughing and I was so frustrated because I thought I accidently wrote a bad word. Really, I'm sure they were just tickled by how silly I was and how hard I tired to make a book even though I lacked the skills. My parents used to read to us kids every night before bed. My dad would change the words and we would get sooo frustrated "Daaaaad! Read it right!". I would give anything to go back and let him "read it silly." Being transported to those make-believe worlds inspired me to have the crazy imagination that I have. Books, especially picture books, have been so much a part of my life and my aspirations, it is so hard to hear Hannah and Stephanie say that I am not excited about this project. This is everything I have ever wanted to do. I wish I could count the minutes and hours I spend thinking and talking about X-Ray Kay, because that would add up to more than 10 hours a week alone. It is December. I am a typical college student. I am burnt out, but not from this project. I am simply saying why I am burnt out in general. I have a raging sinus infection. I can't sleep. Being president of the co-op is exhausting and I am just about ready to be done dissecting cats and sharks. Maybe its the formaldehyde getting to me, but I am ready for a break. A break where I can relax and illustrate. Illustrate for this book. I am not giving up.
Full scale models were a waste of time because I can't draw or paint. I learned a lot though. For example, I got to practice using different mediums and I now know which one feels right, both visually and physically. I was also able to explore composition and details that I wouldn't have thought of in a sketch. I have also determined criteria that I know I absolutely want and don't want in my final project.
Talking to the librarian was unnecessary because this is my project and I should stop being passive. She did give me some interesting reading on Eric Carle and new illustration style possibilities.
The David Small lecture was really interesting. Although he did not talk a lot about his process, he did help me understand more of what an illustrator does and how he would go about making a book. Looking at his work helped me visualize how a style can be both loose and descriptive at the same time.
Sarah Stewart, David's wife and author, was especially inspiring. It was wonderful to find someone as excited about my project as I am (and she didn't even know me!). She was extremely supportive and we talked about passion, inspiration and the crucial/beautiful relationship between writing and illustrating. She also showed me her book (illustrated by David) in progress! It was very cool to see the physical process and it was a bit heartening to see it is allowed to be a bit disorganized.
The rest of my time spent this week was put into figuring out how the x-ray glasses view will be shown (still haven't figured it out yet) and collecting reference images. I have lots of stock pictures of 7 year old girls in different poses for now, but I will be taking my own pictures of my 7 year old god-daughter come holiday break.
I have always wanted to write and illustrate a children's book. I always expressed my feelings through pictures. Before I could write I used to scribble next to my pictures and pretend the scribbles were words. Once, I gave one of these creations to my parents and I remember them laughing and I was so frustrated because I thought I accidently wrote a bad word. Really, I'm sure they were just tickled by how silly I was and how hard I tired to make a book even though I lacked the skills. My parents used to read to us kids every night before bed. My dad would change the words and we would get sooo frustrated "Daaaaad! Read it right!". I would give anything to go back and let him "read it silly." Being transported to those make-believe worlds inspired me to have the crazy imagination that I have. Books, especially picture books, have been so much a part of my life and my aspirations, it is so hard to hear Hannah and Stephanie say that I am not excited about this project. This is everything I have ever wanted to do. I wish I could count the minutes and hours I spend thinking and talking about X-Ray Kay, because that would add up to more than 10 hours a week alone. It is December. I am a typical college student. I am burnt out, but not from this project. I am simply saying why I am burnt out in general. I have a raging sinus infection. I can't sleep. Being president of the co-op is exhausting and I am just about ready to be done dissecting cats and sharks. Maybe its the formaldehyde getting to me, but I am ready for a break. A break where I can relax and illustrate. Illustrate for this book. I am not giving up.
Full scale models were a waste of time because I can't draw or paint. I learned a lot though. For example, I got to practice using different mediums and I now know which one feels right, both visually and physically. I was also able to explore composition and details that I wouldn't have thought of in a sketch. I have also determined criteria that I know I absolutely want and don't want in my final project.
Talking to the librarian was unnecessary because this is my project and I should stop being passive. She did give me some interesting reading on Eric Carle and new illustration style possibilities.
The David Small lecture was really interesting. Although he did not talk a lot about his process, he did help me understand more of what an illustrator does and how he would go about making a book. Looking at his work helped me visualize how a style can be both loose and descriptive at the same time.
Sarah Stewart, David's wife and author, was especially inspiring. It was wonderful to find someone as excited about my project as I am (and she didn't even know me!). She was extremely supportive and we talked about passion, inspiration and the crucial/beautiful relationship between writing and illustrating. She also showed me her book (illustrated by David) in progress! It was very cool to see the physical process and it was a bit heartening to see it is allowed to be a bit disorganized.
The rest of my time spent this week was put into figuring out how the x-ray glasses view will be shown (still haven't figured it out yet) and collecting reference images. I have lots of stock pictures of 7 year old girls in different poses for now, but I will be taking my own pictures of my 7 year old god-daughter come holiday break.
What's Next:
I have solicited the help of my peers to teach me how to use watercolor paint. I may just have to go home and get a tutorial from my boss over break. She is pretty well known for her watercolor paintings. By Tuesday I will have a bunch of ugly character studies, and hopefully some that I can actually present to the world. I will also have a load of little scene studies.
What I will have done for December Review:
Some full sized illustrations and a complete layout (pagination) of the book.
I have solicited the help of my peers to teach me how to use watercolor paint. I may just have to go home and get a tutorial from my boss over break. She is pretty well known for her watercolor paintings. By Tuesday I will have a bunch of ugly character studies, and hopefully some that I can actually present to the world. I will also have a load of little scene studies.
What I will have done for December Review:
Some full sized illustrations and a complete layout (pagination) of the book.
Kyla,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got so much out of David Small and Sarah Stewart's visit...and that you are going to be doing a ton of visual exploration/character and scene studies. Let your excitement about the project (which we never questioned!) be manifest in the energy and quantity of your visual studies! Really go for it. And yes, stay connected to that early childhood love of books.
And...make sure to post your studies / illustrations on your blog, as well as other images you are looking at...
Stephanie