The opening of this year’s illustration art
exhibit at Chemer’s Gallery in Tustin was another enjoyable opportunity to see
and purchase original children’s book illustrations. Five of the artists spoke about their work
and writer Kathleen Krull read her book Fartiste (which was co-written by
Paul Brewer and illustrated by Boris Kulikov). Ph.D. Penny S. Bryan spoke on
the importance of children’s books and their illustrations, which are fundamental
to visual literacy. And newspaper and
children’s book illustrator Lisa Mertins spoke on her experiences illustrating
both trade and self-published children’s books.
Matt Tavares on "Illustrating Non-Fiction Books"
In non-fiction illustration you must balance
information and feeling to bring the story to life, show a point of view you
can’t get elsewhere. For example: show a job from the worker’s angle/POV even
(or especially) if there are no photos or records elsewhere of what they
thought/felt/saw as they worked. One can show how things would have looked from
their viewpoint.
Boris Kulikov spoke on “Creating a Picture Book”
The composition is the basement—the start. If that’s
wrong, it all falls apart.
Chris Sheban's talk: “From point A (Arghh!) to Point B
(Book)
He is low-tech and does hundreds of sketches on
tracing paper to come up with a book of illustrations. He likes to take a week
(or two) per illustration, and can take a year to complete work on a book.
E.B. Lewis on “Mastering the Visual Language”
Illustration is sequential narrative, a visual language as
though you cannot speak. You build in thoughts, sensations, and setting seen
through the eye of the character. You know you have created a real person when
a film starts to flip through your head and you can see the character act out
the story. An artist turns words into images. Put what you feel into the
image—the viewer will get the feeling out of it.
“Children don’t care what you know until they
know that you care.”
The exhibit of original illustrations runs
through December 15. If you can't make it, go next year! It’s well worth the visit!
My multi-talented agent, Abigail
Samoun, and fellow Red Fox Literary illustrator, Elizabeth Haidle, have an
exciting project in the works!Their book, Mind Afire, is about scientist/inventor Nicola
Tesla; and should appeal to children's book enthusiasts, graphic novel collectors, science geeks, steampunk fans,
librarians, teachers and, of course, kids! When Abigail
and Elizabeth discovered they were both intrigued by the story of this eccentric,
turn of the (20th) century genius, they decided his story would
be perfect for a graphic novel. I think so too. I love Elizabeth's illustrations and can't wait to read the finished text.
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