Thursday, April 26, 2012

Studio Notes / Crit

Review progress of children's book illustrations.

Show and tell at each student's work station of entire series and plan for integrating text

Use class time for working in computer lab / experimenting with techniques and text options.

Homework: Complete series of four watercolor illustrations for critique in class at 12 noon.
In addition, bring all previous watercolors from earlier this term in order to prepare for portfolio review.
Remember to list all techniques you've used for each watercolor on the back left corner of each image, along with your name.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Studio Notes

review and document progress of children's book illustrations

listen to libravox recordings of children's stories

homework focus on the addition of ink and text options for your sequence of illustrations. Be prepared to present your series and get feedback from the class.



Thursday, April 19, 2012

Studio Notes




Visit this link to learn more about this artist.

review first two spreads of your watercolor and ink book illustrations

discuss techniques you plan to use, layout and binding considerations

continue to develop watercolors in class today.

listen to The Nightingale and The Mermaid

show and tell: student progress

homework goals: continue to develop your first two spread and complete the drawings / layout for the last two spreads for consultation at beginning of class on Tuesday. All text should be laid out in pencil. To best determine text options xerox your watercolors and experiment with the placement and style of your text. Bring all experiments to class for credit.




Visit this link to learn more about this artist.




Amy Lehrman


Visit this link for a directory of Children's Book Illustrations.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Amber / Late work

Studio Notes


Three watercolors by Ian Schorenherr








Review and document 4 x 6 inch storyboards.

Develop series of four full size watercolors based on the four best images from the storyboard series.

Homework:
Bring two of the four large watercolors, based on your storyboard to class on Thursday. The watercolors may be in progress, drawing/layout should be in graphite with watercolor washes. Text should be laid our in pencil. Do not begin using ink yet.

Final Crit for all four watercolors is Tuesday, May 1.

Extra Credit work should be emailed to amieok.watercolor@blogger.com

Final Exam / Portfolio Review will be Thursday, May 3 from 11:30 to 2pm.
There will be a final exam based on artists we have studied this semester. All content will be based
on the blog. It will consist of image identification, technique identification, multiple choice and true/false.


watercolor illustration by this artist.







Sad Peter Pan by Kurt Kemp.

Ashley / Late work

Anne Tyler / Late work

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Studio Notes / Illustration and Watercolor

a Dave McKean illustration for Neil Gaiman's Wolves in the Walls
In the studio:
Critique / Review Chuck Close Self Portrait Series. What did you learn? What is your favorite of the three techniques we focused on?


Review the links below in order to best plan your watercolor and ink illustrations based on one of the books outlined in Tuesday's post. Focus on concept drawings / storyboards.


Visit this link and the ones below see the work of illustrators who work with watercolor and pen and ink



Watercolor illustrator Daniel Mackie.
Edward Gorey's envelope art
Arthur Rackham's illustrious wonderland.
Tim Burton's illustrations
Ralph Steadman's Political Cartoons
Ralph Steadman's Extinct Birds
P.D. Eastman worked with Dr. Seuss
Chris Riddell has illustrated over 200 Children's Books. An image search produces this.
Tim Banks
Illustrator's Forum


WATERCOLOR with PEN and INK
PROJECT CRITERIA


*Discussion: your choice for the book for this project, brainstorming and visual research.


*Create a minimum of 12 potential story boards based on scenes from the book chosen from the approved list. Each story board should be 4 x 6 inches. Each rectangle should be filled with a pencil drawing which represents a possible moment of your story. Plan to include the text for each drawing. An excellent  demonstration on simple storyboarding can be found here.




*Add watercolor and ink to your series of 4 x 6 inch  storyboards. Other good examples are here, here and here.


* Choose the best 4 (or more) to enlarge to full size watercolors with pen and ink additions


Each illustration must:
*be on the same size paper
*utilize watercolor with ink line laid in with a crow quill pen or brush
*include text from the story you have chosen
*use additional techniques we have studied this semester


Your final set of 4 watercolors series must:
*be presented as a sequential narrative which is true to the story you have chosen
*utilize as many of the watercolor techniques we've worked with this term as possible (not including ink)
*be original
*exercise good design principles (positive and negative space, etc)
*demonstrate your creative and artistic strengths
*utilize consistent attention to craftmanship and presentation


FOR HOMEWORK:
Complete the twelve postcard size storyboards (each 4 x 6 inches) for the book you have chosen. Materials: paper, pencil, watercolor, ink.


You may do all  on one sheet of paper or mount them later on one sheet of paper.
Consider these to be concept illustrations that will be turned in with the final watercolor series at the end of the project.


Bring materials for enlarging the best four of the series to class on Tuesday.

Dave McKean's sketchbook drawing of Frida Kahlo



Sunday, April 8, 2012

Studio Notes: Watercolor and Ink Illustrations

Today we will focus on finishing part 3 of the Chuck Close Project. During the studio time we will listen to the stories outlined below in order to prepare for the next watercolor topic: the combination of ink and watercolor to create a series of narrative watercolors.


Goals: Complete Chuck Close III before the end of class. Document progress.


Homework:
Present series of three completed Chuck Close portraits for a critique at the beginning of class on Thursday.
Consider and Research the story you will choose to illustrate for our Ink and Watercolor Narrative Project.
*choose a story listed below. 
*research the story and how other illustrators have chosen to tell the story
*bring examples / print outs to class
*bring any visual research that will inspire and aid you in your process
Be prepared to begin creating a series of storyboards in class on Thursday. Begin your sketchbook. After laying out the sequences you and getting feedback you can begin your series of watercolors with ink.




Stories to choose from:


TREASURE ISLAND
By R.L. Stevenson 
Scottish writer Stevenson’s swashbuckling story is the source of most popular perceptions of pirates, including “X marks the spot” treasure maps and one-legged seamen with shoulder-perched parrots. Inspired by a map drawn by Stevenson’s stepson, the tale sees the young Jim Hawkins pit his wits against the dastardly Long John Silver in a race to discover Captain Flint’s hidden treasure.
Quote:"Fifteen men on the dead man's chest- Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil had done for the rest- Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"




THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT 
By Beatrix Potter 
Originally written in 1893 for Noel Moore, the five-year-old son of Potter’s former governess, this family favourite was reworked and privately printed by Potter in 1901 following several rejections from publishers.
The story, which describes the perilous adventures of rebellious Peter Rabbit in Mr McGregor’s garden, has sold more than 45 million copies, been translated into 36 languages and spawned a hoard of merchandise.
Quote: "Don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor."




WIND IN THE WILLOWS 
By Kenneth Grahame 
Since its first publication, this tale of friendship and moral growth has been issued in more than 100 editions, with annual sales figures reaching the hundreds of thousands.
Told in Grahame’s glorious prose, the story follows Mole (lonely and miserable, who has been cleaning his home), Ratty and Badger as they live a life of picnics and playing by the river. Until, that is, they decide to help Toad mend his reckless ways. Prison breaks and car chases ensue, culminating in a battle for Toad Hall. To listen to this story visit this link.
Quote: "There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."




PETER PAN 
By J.M. Barrie 
Originally a successful stage play called Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, Barrie’s novel - originally called Peter and Wendy - follows the adventures of the Darling children as they are taken to the island of Neverland by the mischievous and eternally young Peter Pan. There, they encounter fairies, Indians, mermaids and Peter Pan’s arch nemesis, Captain Hook.
In 1929, Barrie bequeathed all rights to the book to Great Ormond Hospital, but they expired in 2007, leaving the hospital searching for a new literary benefactor.
Quote: "All children, except one, grow up."




WINNIE-THE-POOH
By A.A. Milne
Adapted from a collection of Milne’s stories, which were first published in magazines such as Punch, the story follows Christopher Robin’s teddy bear as he adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his friends Piglet, Owl, Rabbit and Eeyore. The book has been translated into many languages, including Latin (Winnie ille Pu) in 1958, and, thanks in large part to a rights deal with Disney, the character of Winnie is now worth £500 million a year. The Silly Old Bear, with his friends in Hundred Acre Wood, is more than a British institution. A.A. Milne created a life philosophy with the trials, triumphs and tiddley-poms of the honey-loving, always kind-hearted Pooh.
Quote: "It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like 'What about lunch?'"



BABAR
Jean de Brunhoff 
Originally published in oversized volumes with cursive writing and the author’s wonderful sprawling watercolour paintings, the English language version of Brunhoff’s Histoire de Babar immediately captured the interest of British children. Babar brings clothes and cars (and Madame) from Paris - where he has been educated - and readers follow him home to his African kingdom. He is crowned King and transforms the elephant kingdom into a Westernised civilisation. With his family and the wise Cornelius by his side, Babar protects his land from the Rhino King The stories were adapted into an animated television series, which ran from 1989 to 1991 with 13 additional episodes aired in 2000.
Quote: "Does everything have to mean something?"



THE FARAWAY TREE
By Enid Blyton
First published during World War II, the series follows three young children, Jo, Bessie and Fanny, who discover an enormous magical tree in an enchanted forest and befriend the creatures that live among its branches. With a band of new pals including Moon-face, The Saucepan Man and Mr Watzisname, the children embark on various adventures in the magical lands lurking at the top of the tree. Unsurprisingly, the Lands of Birthdays, Goodies and Do-As-You-Please became particular favourites with young readers. The titles in the series are The Enchanted Wood (1939), The Magic Faraway Tree (1943), The Folk of the Faraway Tree (1946) and Up the Faraway Tree (1951).
Quote: "I expect I shall find it rather dull here after living in Londo. It seems so quiet. I shall miss the noise of buses and trams."



THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
C.S. Lewis
Set during World War II, when four children - Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie - are evacuated from London in 1940 to escape the Blitz. They are sent to live with Professor Digory Kirke, who lives in a country house in the English countryside.
During a game of hide-and-seek, Lucy looks into a wardrobe and discovers a portal to a mysterious world called Narnia,
Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy discover the land of Narnia and the malevolent White Witch. The novel uses Christian iconography in Aslan's dramatic sacrifice and resurrection. Edmund's transition from self-interested schoolboy to heroic young man is also resonantly spiritual.
Quote: "Have you forgotten the Deep Magic?"



Jungle Emperor (ジャングル大帝 Jungle Taitei?), known in the United States as Kimba the White Lion, is an anime series from the 1960s. Created by Osamu Tezukaand based on his manga of the same title which began publication in 1950, it was the first color animated television series created in Japan. The manga was first published in serialized form in Manga Shōnen magazine. The anime was produced by Mushi Production. The later series was produced by Tezuka Productions.[1]
This anime series has enjoyed popularity worldwide — including in the United StatesAustraliaEurope (where it has been translated into several languages such as:FrenchItalianCatalanSpanishGermanDutch etc.) and the Middle East.
A new TV special premiered September 5, 2009 on Fuji TV. Produced in commemoration of Fuji TV's 50th anniversary, it was directed by Gorō Taniguchi in his first directorial venture since Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2, written by noted novelist and drama writer Osamu Suzuki, and featuring character designs from noted illustrator Yoshitaka Amano.
(DO NOT USE DISNEY'S LION KING BOOKS)



"The Nightingale" (Danish: "Nattergalen") is a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about an emperor who prefers the tinkling of a bejeweled mechanical bird to the song of a real nightingale. When the Emperor is near death, the nightingale's song restores his health. Well received upon its publication in Copenhagen in 1843 inNew Fairy Tales, the tale is believed to have been inspired by the author's unrequited love for opera singer Jenny Lind, the "Swedish nightingale". You can listen to the story here.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS
By J.R.R Tolkein
Tolkien’s epic story of the battle for Middle-Earth has captivated readers over half a century, selling approximately 150 million copies and spawning an Oscar-nominated trilogy of films that are among the highest grossing of all time. The three-volume tour de force follows Frodo the hobbit and his loyal protectors as they journey to Mount Doom to destroy a dangerous and powerful ring, forged by the Dark Lord Sauron to rule all of Middle-Earth. The books have brought fantasy to a mainstream literary audience, making Frodo one of the greatest fictional heroes of all time.
Quote: "The hearts of men are easily corrupted... And the ring of power has a will of its own.”





When Pigasso Met Mootisse

Front Cover
Chronicle Books,1998
Pigasso, a talented pig, and Mootisse, an artistic bull, live across the road from one another, but when conflicts arise they build fences that ultimately become modern art masterpieces. Includes biographies of the real-life artists, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.
THE CAT IN THE HAT
by Dr Seuss
Theodor Seuss Geisel was a writer and cartoonist who published 44 children's novels. Perhaps the most famous was about his tall, anthropomorphic, mischievous cat, sporting a tall, red and white-striped hat and a red bow tie. He also carries a pale blue umbrella. With the series of Beginner Books that The Cat inaugurated, Numerous adaptations of his work have been created, including eleven television specials, three feature films, and a Broadway musical and Seuss was a great advocate of the fun of reading for children.
Quote: "Look at me! Look at me! Look at me NOW! It is fun to have fun. But you have to know how."

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
By Maurice Sendak 
Initially a critical failure and even banned in some libraries, this book went on to sell more than 19 million copies. The story centres on a lonely and temperamental boy, Max, who, having been sent to bed without dinner, imagines a sea in his bedroom and sets sail to the land of the wild things where he quickly becomes King. In 2009, the story was made into a live-action feature film by acclaimed director Spike Jonze.
Quote: "I have a sadness shield that keeps out all the sadness, and it's big enough for all of us."


Pinocchio (IT: [piˈnɔkkjo]UK: /pɪˈnəʊkiəʊ/;[1] US: /pɪˈnoʊkioʊ/) is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the 1883 children's novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi, and has since appeared in many adaptations of that story and others. Carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a small Italian village, he was created as a wooden puppet, but dreamed of becoming a real boy. Pinocchio is often a term used to describe an individual who is prone to telling lies, fabricating stories and exaggerating or creating tall tales for various reasons.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
By Roald Dahl
Originally called “Charlie’s Chocolate Boy” and featuring 10 horrid children who won tickets to the weekly Wonka’s Factory visit, the fudge-filled fantasy was totally rewritten after a damning review from the author’s nephew. The tale follows the lucky winners of five golden tickets — four obnoxious brats and poor but polite Charlie Bucket — as they explore Willy Wonka’s fantastical factory and (unbeknown to them) are tested to see who should take over his booming business. The book was adapted into two major motion pictures: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in 1971, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005. The book's sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, was written by Roald Dahl in 1972. Dahl had also planned to write a third book in the series, but never finished it.
Quote: “So much time, and so little to do! Strike that, reverse it.”


Black Beauty is an 1877 novel by English author Anna Sewell. It was composed in the last years of her life, during which she remained in her house as an invalid.[1] The novel became an immediate bestseller, with Sewell dying just five months after its publication, long enough to see her first and only novel become a success. With fifty million copies sold, Black Beauty is one of the best-selling books of all time.[2] While forthrightly teaching animal welfare, it also teaches how to treat people with kindness, sympathy, and respect. Black Beauty became a forerunner to the pony book genre of children's literature.[3]

WATERSHIP DOWN
By Richard Adams (born 9 May 1920)
Thirteen publishers rejected Adams’s first novel before Rex Collings Ltd took it on in 1972. Since then it has become one of Penguin’s best-selling books of all time, with sales surpassing five million. Something of a rabbit’s odyssey, and drawing on Homeric and Virgilian quest themes, the novel recounts a group of rabbits’ epic journey from their endangered warren to their new home in Watership Down, facing perils and temptations along the way
Quote: "I think we ought to do all we can to make these creatures friendly. It might turn out to be well worth the trouble."



HARRY POTTER series
By J.K. Rowling (born 31 July 1965)
Since the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997, JK Rowling’s record-breaking fantasy series has been translated into 67 languages and sold more than 400 million copies worldwide, making it one of the highest-selling series in history. Children and adults alike remain transfixed by half-blood Harry, haphazard Ron Weasley and overachieving Hermione Granger as they struggle to stop Lord Voldemort conquering the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. The Potter phenomenon has its detractors, but the success of special 'grown-up' covers, allowing commuters to read Rowling without shame, tells its own tale.
Quote: "We do not speak his name! The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter."




Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (commonly shortened to Alice in Wonderland) is an 1865 novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under thepseudonym Lewis Carroll.[1] It tells of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world (Wonderland) populated by peculiar, anthropomorphic creatures. The tale plays with logic, giving the story lasting popularity with adults as well as children.[2] It is considered to be one of the best examples of the literary nonsensegenre,[2][3] and its narrative course and structure have been enormously influential,[3] especially in the fantasy genre.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (HarperCollins).A young bunny tries to stave off sleep by bidding goodnight to every item he can think of leading himself (and readers!) to a quiet sense of peace. Clement Hurd’s illustrations range from small black and white drawings to full color beauties. 


The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (HarperCollins).This wise and lovely story of the tree that gives her all for love is also a wonderful tale about life transforming the boy that played on her branches to an old man that sits on her stump. 


Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (Penguin). The Parisian adventures of Madeline! Her life with the nuns, her trip to the hospital, and Bemelemans’ depictions of the city still satisfy kids of many ages. This long running series never surpasses the charm of its first installment!

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Random House). Thank goodness the good doctor accepted a bet that he couldn’t write a story using only 50 words. As Instructor editor Jennifer Prescott sums up in only five words: “I do so like it!”  I am Sam, Sam I am. Possibly the most fun a kid can have while learning to read, this book’s repetitive phrases, simple drawings and goofy charm make it one of childhood’s must-haves.Curious George by H.A. and Margret Ray (Houghton Mifflin).The world’s most beloved monkey! Curious George has had many adventures in his day, but it all starts with this classic. Introduce a new generation of readers to his irrepressible chimp.


Coraline is a horror/fantasy novella by British author Neil Gaiman, published in 2002 by Bloomsbury and Harper Collins. It was awarded the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Novella,[2] the 2003 Nebula Award for Best Novella,[3] and the 2002 Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers.[4] It has been compared to Lewis Carroll'sAlice's Adventures in Wonderland .

The Wolves in the Walls is a book by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, published in 2003 in the United States byHarperCollinsNeil Gaiman has said the story was inspired by a nightmare his daughter Maddy, then aged 4, had that there were wolves in the walls.[1][2] In the story the protagonist, Lucy, hears wolves in the walls of her family's house, but her family does not believe her until one day when the wolves come out of the walls.[2]



James and the Giant Peach is a popular children's novel written in 1961 by British author Roald Dahl. The original first edition published by Alfred Knopf featured illustrations byNancy Ekholm Burkert. However, there have been various reillustrated versions of it over the years, done by Michael Simeon for the first British edition, Emma Chichester Clark, Lane Smith and Quentin Blake. It was adapted into a film of the same name in 1996. The plot centers on a young English orphan boy who enters a gigantic, magical peach, and has a wild and surreal cross-world adventure with six anthropomorphic insects he meets within the giant peach. Originally titled James and the Giant Cherry, Dahl changed it to James and the Giant Peach because a peach is "prettier, bigger and squishier" than a cherry.[1][2]




The Raven is a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. First published in January 1845, the poem is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere. It tells of a talking raven's mysterious visit to a distraught lover, tracing the man's slow descent into madness. The lover, often identified as being a student,[1][2] is lamenting the loss of his love, Lenore. Sitting on a bust of Pallas, the raven seems to further instigate his distress with its constant repetition of the word "Nevermore". The poem makes use of a number of folk and classical references. You can listen to the story here.

Charlotte's Web by EB White
The novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered by the farmer, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur (such as "Some Pig") in her web in order to persuade the farmer to let him live. Written in White's dry, low-key manner, Charlotte's Web is considered a classic of children's literature, enjoyable to adults as well as children. The description of the experience of swinging on a rope swing at the farm is an often cited example of rhythm in writing, as the pace of the sentences reflects the motion of the swing. Publishers Weekly listed the book as the best-selling children's paperback of all time as of 2000.[1] Charlottes Web is a children's novel by American author E. B. White, about a pig named Wilbur who is saved from being slaughtered by an intelligent spider named Charlotte. The book was first published in 1952, with illustrations by Garth Williams.

Three Little Pigs is a fairy tale featuring anthropomorphic animals. Printed versions date back to the 1840s, but the story itself is thought to be much older. The phrases used in the story, and the various morals which can be drawn from it, have become enshrined in western culture. You can listen to the story here.


The Three Bears is a fairy tale first recorded in narrative form by British author and poet Robert Southey
What was originally a fearsome oral tale became a cozy family story with only a hint of menace. The story has elicited various interpretations and has been adapted to film, opera, and other media. "The Story of the Three Bears" is one of the most popular fairy tales in the English language



The Ugly Duckling (DanishDen grimme ælling) is a literary fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen (1805 – 1875). The story tells of a homely little bird born in a barnyard who suffers abuse from his surroundings until, much to his delight (and to the surprise of others), he matures into a beautiful swan, the most beautiful bird of all. The story is beloved around the world as a tale about personal transformation for the better.[1] “The Ugly Duckling” was first published 11 November 1843 with three other tales by Andersen in Copenhagen, Denmark to great critical acclaim. The tale has been adapted to various media including opera, musical, and animated film. The tale is completely Andersen's invention and owes no debt to fairy or folk lore.


The Snow Queen (Danish: Snedronningen) is a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875). The tale was first published in 1845, and centers on the struggle between good and evil as experienced by a little boy and girl, Kai and Gerda.  The story is one of Andersen's longest and is considered by scholars, critics, and readers alike as one of his best. It is regularly included in selected tales and collections of his work as well as being frequently reprinted in illustrated storybook editions for children. You can listen to it here.