Pre-Midwinter Break

What I did:
- postcard image (3 hrs)
- pagination modifications (2.5 hrs)
- researched/purchased watercolor paper (2.25 hrs)
- full size illustrations (3 hrs)

What I discovered/encountered/accomplished:
     Worked on making the image for my postcard at the end of last week. I worked to find an image that was interesting in both subject matter and point of view. I settled on an image of a hand partially through the lenses of the x-ray glasses. I made a  couple versions, since I am still warming back up to watercolor painting.

one curious girl.
one exceptional pair of glasses.
one extraordinary adventure.
X-Ray Kay.

     I modified my pagination in several ways. I am still working on expanding the x-ray adventure and cutting the lead up. I think that I have almost successfully done both. I am also working on making some scenes clearer. I am also settling on a distinct and consistent way to show x-ray. I tried doing a "fade" view, however it wasn't too successful in showing both worlds at the same time. I will continue to work with inset boxes.
     I took a look at some of my earlier versions and I realize that although it has been a struggle to not just settle and start drawing, all this time and modifications have been extraordinarily helpful and important. At the end of November, my story wasn't half as strong as it is now (both visually and in clarity).
     I finally dropped the money for my watercolor paper this week. I needed large, high quality paper really really bad. I decided on Arches 22x30" 140lb cold press. It took a while to make that decision, let alone find the cheapest retailer. I purchased a sample pack of watercolor papers a while back and I played around with those to determine the best fit for the look I was going for. I really like the thickness of the higher pound paper and the subtle tooth of the cold press paper. When I ordered the paper, I made sure that it was large enough to do 150% scale. I want the images to be crisp, clear, and detailed in the final book.
   I worked a bit on full scale illustrations. I'm glad I started last week, because I was able to change the book proportions and things are working out much smoother. All though these full scales are just tests, I have learned a world of things. Not only am I more comfortable with watercolor, but I realize what size things really need to be, how different pen sizes change things, what details show up and which ones are extraneous, as well as realizing that some elements (all though well intentioned) actually flatten or confused the image.

What's next:
     I am making final modifications of my pagination as I type this and I will have my illustrations done by the end of break. LET'S GO!

Full Steam Ahead

What I did:
     - book proportion (1 hr)
     - pagination (3 hrs)
     - full scale illustrations (5 hrs)
     - postcard sketches (3 hrs)
     - postcard illustration & text (2 hrs)

What I encountered/discovered:
     When I started working full scale (17" x 8.5" two page spread), I realized that when open, the book seemed far too long. It would work best for panorama shots or pages with multiple scenes. Because most of my pictures are up close, they work best on a rectangular page. I researched popular book proportions, cut paper to scale, and folded them in half. I determined that my illustrations will fit much better on on a US Letter or Crown proportion, as they are more tall than wide. I have taken the time to scan in my current pagination in order to make them larger (aka. easier to see) I also cropped them to the new proportions.
     I bought large paper last week, so I have been working on full scale illustrations. It is taking me a while to get a feel for the style and paper. I am still struggling to find my style and mesh it with what works best for the tone and purpose of the book. I know that I should be almost done with my illustrations by now, but I really want to do this right. After the journalist assignment, I realize that I want the pictures to be beautiful and clever and really really perfect. I will be home alone for the whole mid-winter break. This means I have a quiet, empty house as my studio. 14 days and about 25 illustrations means if I focus on at least 2 illustrations a day, I will be in the clear. All my illustrations WILL BE DONE by the end of break.
     For my postcard I really wanted to show a glimpse of the magic of x-ray view. In order to increase visual impact, I will be juxtaposing the two worlds... either through the frame of the glasses or through a gradient. I am working on a couple versions. So far, I really like being able to see through the glasses and still see the "real world". I am working on incorporating a similar view in my book.
     I am also working on incorporating more visuals of her arm healing. After speaking with Stephanie, I realize my ending is extremely abrupt and we really have little basis to realize her healing. We also talked about prolonging Kay's explorations. It currently seems very quick, like it takes place in a matter of hours. Instead of immediately explaining her path, I will make the audience wait, and let the adventure unravel by itself.

What's next:
     I will have my postcard done by Saturday. Story-line finalized by Tuesday. Each scene laid out by Thursday and Illustrations done by March 6.

Go big or go home

What I did:
- pagination: 4.5 hours
- color studies: 3 hours
- x-ray studies: 2 hrs
- supply shopping: 20 mins
- illustrating: 3 hours

What I discovered/encountered/:
     I swear, I am getting so close to the final story line. Each of the changes I am making is getting smaller (and more picky), yet more impactful. I was going through some old storyboards the other day. Not only is my current version more clear, but it is more exciting. This project has transformed from a desire to teach anatomy to a love of inspiring excitement about anatomy (which may in the end inspire learning). I am still working on making my book more exciting/interesting. I am attempting to do this by showing more up-close and personal pictures instead of panoramas. I am also cutting down the parts that lead up to the actual anatomy. (I mean its a book about x-ray glasses, there should be a bunch of x-ray views!!)
     These are the color deal-breakers, the things I won't let my book live without: continuity between xray and real life (yet a discernible disconnect), watercolor, pen, full color and monochrome. I have a lot more work to do in order to find there solution to my problem, but so far it isn't looking half bad.
     Bigger is better. I have a tendency (always have) to draw really tiny. I bought some big paper on Thursday and  have continued illustrating... full size! It is a little scary, but I am able to really work on composition and the little details that I wanted to add for clarity and interest, but they wouldn't fit in the other versions.

What's Next:
    Draw! Draw! Draw! I will have 10 different stabs at possible color treatments by Tuesday and I will have 5 full size drawings by Thursday.

2.3.12

What I did:
- story boarding (6hrs)
- getting things ready for focus group (2 hrs)
- visiting preschool (2.5 hrs)
- fixing story board illustrations/perspectives (1hr)
- color/style studies (3 hrs)
- set up reference sketching at the exhibit museum (20 mins)

What I discovered/accomplished/encountered:
     As I get further along with my project, the story-boarding seems to take more and more time. Before, I just had to roughly sketch out what I thought fit the story, but now I am taking time to not only make them look nicer (and more clear) but I am also making different versions of each scene. I have been consulting with my SAC housemate about different possible point of views. It is also taking time to try and get perspectively right logistically. With all the work and thought, I feel like I am really getting close to the final story line.
     Feeling so close to the finished visual strategy, I am finally confident enough to show it off publicly for feedback. I made a larger version in book format and I went to the Ann Arbor Preschool and Family Center for testing. Although some feedback wasn't so helpful (e.g. where are the colors?) I took it more as a test run so I am fully prepared when I do a focus group with my target age group.
     The most helpful kinds of feedback had to do with the visuals. For example, on the first page we are looking down at Kay from a bird nest in a tree. One child asked why the nest was on the ground; after I added more clues that we are in a tree.
     I decided to work out the color and illustration style to help me get into full scale quicker. So far the consensus is: watercolor with thin pen for regular view and x-ray view thicker pen with black wash.
     Also, sometime this week I am going to the museum for reference photos/sketches for all of my skeletal views! So excited to revisit the amazing collection they have there!

What's next:
Final decision for color by Tuesday.  Visit museum by Thursday and start full scale drawings. Also, keep tweaking story board

Bed Rest

I have been mostly bedridden this entire week. It sucked. Although I have little physical work to show for my week. I am ready to bust out of the gate starting... now.

Not a lot of physical things happened, however, I was able to think and see a lot.
What I did:
- Read and re-read lots of children's (and not so children) books: 3hrs
- Took a walk through a playground with a broken camera: 45 mins
- Emailed a lot of people: 1hr
- I don't know if this counts, but went to the David Handler/Maira Kalman lecture and waited in line to get my book signed/meet them!: 3 hrs
- Researched David and Maira's work: 2 hrs

What I encountered/discovered:
     The first thing I learned, was that my immune system sucks. Maybe it was from the shingles, or maybe from not sleeping. No worries. I think I am caught up.
     I like re-reading books a lot. Especially picture books. There are usually extra details in the background that always come out and surprise you. Little things that would seem insignificant but end up making the story seem even more charming and real. I have been thinking a lot about how I can use these details to make my pictures/story more whole. In my latest pagination revision I tried to make it very clear that each place that Kay visits is a part of her everyday life, and it only becomes more special and fascinating with these glasses. For example, perhaps instead of making the cat front ground when she is laying on the ground, it could be chasing something in the background for a few pages... just a thought. I will be playing around with this.
     I went to take a walk through Burn's park without the snow on the ground. Alas. I need to buy a new camera. Mine is officially retired. The fresh air was nice and there were actually a couple kids there who I creepily watched. I wanted to get a better feel of how kids play.
     Emails. Housekeeping. Nothing too spectacular there. I was supposed to stop in the AAPL this week to talk about a reading for my IP finale, but obviously leaving the house wasn't an option.
     David Handler and Maira Kalman are my newest book crushes. I dragged myself to the lecture Thursday evening, feeling a bit better, but dreading the make-up essay the most. To my surprise, the speakers were more than I could have ever hoped for. Not only were they funny and fascinating creative people, but they rekindled so much fuel for my project. Sometimes I forget why I am doing this project... then I see artists like them and I remember. I am inspired and I am reenergized. I didn't exactly feel like staying to get a book signed, but there was no way I could pass up an opportunity to meet them... and meet them I did.
     The best piece of advice I got was from Maira. I thanked her for a wonderful lecture and told her she was inspiring and when I told her I was writing/illustrating my own book, she says: "you probably saw us up there and thought, 'they have no idea what they're doing. I can do that too.'" Maybe she was being sarcastic, as she can be, but somehow it was comforting to believe that I don't have to know everything right now. I'm still allowed to make mistakes and discover.


What's Next:
     Get my butt into gear! I will have a color version of my storyboard by Tuesday and by Thursday I will have all my revisions done to start painting!

In Deep

So as you may have noticed, I have completely forgotten to post last week. I have been so submerged in this project, I almost forgot it was a class. So here is what I have been up to for the past two weeks. 

What I did:

- Plymouth Public Library (3 hrs)

- Re-wrote plot (2 hrs)

- Researched x-ray views in the media (1.5 hrs)

- Explored medium/style (4 hrs)

- Sent various emails to possible resources (1 hr)

- Michael's trip for supplies (1 hr)

- Barnes and Noble research (1.5 hrs)

- Thesis updates (1 hr)

- Re-wrote/re-drew plot again (3 hr)

- Scanned in minis to make book (1 hr)

- Reference photos (2 hrs)

 What I accomplished/encountered/discovered:

     I came in to the semester knowing that my story and visuals needed a lot of work. I headed down to the Plymouth public library to find some books that were recommended to me. "Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick and "The Arrival" by Shaun Tan. Although both books were checked out, I was still able to find some especially helpful resources. The librarians were more than happy to recommend lots of wonderful children's books with beautiful illustrations. This helped me get a better grasp on how to develop a style that fits the book uniquely. For example, Shaun Tan's "Takes from Outer Suburbia" is a collection of short stories, each with its own extremely different illustration style that compliments the story perfectly.

"eric"

"buffalo"

     This really got me thinking more in depth about how I can visually convey the magic and wonder of Kay's new x-ray world. I started playing with different mediums, seeing the feelings each conveyed. I researched a few places in the media that used an x-ray vision or x-ray glasses (e.g. video game Batman: Arkham City detective mode, pirates of the Caribbean movie, and even some spoofs of .  I made little color thumbnails and eventually when I found the styles 

another plot revision

a quick color sketch of "regular view"

"x-ray view"

paint paint paint!

i love bones

to loosen up, I took a few minutes to paint a quick skull

What's next:

     I.

Only trouble is interesting; and character is everything.

Found the title quote while researching over break and I think it really relates to my feedback from December Review

What I heard:

- Seeing the bones through the glasses for the first time, we need to experience Kay's confusion, excitement and wonder (longer moment?)

- I am treating Kay as a supplementary device, I need to make her a character

- Lots of set-up for a such little anatomy.

- Need to convincingly feel emotion with Kay

- Most scenes are static and take place in the middle ground

- More magic

- We look through Kay's eyes early to set us up for the x-ray views

- The cast coming off is anti-climactic

- The main trouble for Kay is her loneliness, the arm break is merely what causes the trouble

What I am going to do about it:

- I am going to take more time in the beginning to show Kay's need for friends (instead of us just seeing kay hanging from the tree, we also see a bunch of other kids around her.)

- Kay's moments of exploration will be longer and more in depth instead of just a quick glance at a cat or fish. We will see the animals and people from different angles and distances to express Kay's curiosity and to make the images more dynamic. This also solves the problem with little anatomy and lots of build-up.

- Kay's moment of rejection and frustration with being unable to play with her friends is more dramatic.

- Play around with medium to see if I can make things stand out without color and to differentiate between the x-ray world and regular world. 

- Kay will check her arm with the glasses every few pages to show healing and time passage, not a montage.