Week 3 of Lilla Roger's Make Art That Sells super-fabulous e-course Children's Book Illustration
Our task this week (3) to illustrate (in any way we wanted) either the cover or a spread from The Hans Christian Anderson dark fairytale The Snail and the Rose Tree. I submitted No 1 as my final.
I'm happy with the overall composition of No.2, a spread from the story but I just think my skill at rendering the concept sucks (or is certainly not anything earth-shatteringly interesting ... meh ! and No.3 was a composition/thumbnail and painting/collage style I wanted to experiment with. I am super pleased with No.1 as my goal was to try and make my design this week spare, clean and modern looking + the look on his (curmudgeonly) face kills me. The competition (not that it's a competition -wink, wink) or shall I say the level of incredible talent in this class is humbling to say the least. Each Tuesday following our Sunday deadline Lilla chooses 10-15 out nearly 400 to chat about, pieces that stood out to her in good ways. My plate from last week made the review (woo hoo !) which thrilled me beyond words - I don't expect my snail to make the cut this week but it was a tres fun & challenging exercise/project. I'm absolutely loving this course it has set my heart ablaze. Uh Huh !!!
I had to read the story to see why you were having the snail "spit"!! I like your submittal. I do like the "rose tree" that you illustrated in the "spread" just a tad more than the one you used. LOVE the snail! Glad to hear about your plate, excellent!!
ReplyDeleteTail wags ~moose
Very, very funny grumpy snail.
ReplyDeleteI love these, especially #2 and #3. Seriously, you need to connect to some children's book authors and publishers!
ReplyDeletelove them all, truly. Would've had a very difficult time picking. I agree w/ John - you need to hook up with an author.
ReplyDeletethank you John & Alyson - I think if you could see some of the other 300+ illustrations and covers you might see that the talent out there in this category is amazing & vast. As I did this project I really became aware of just how hard it is to carry characters (expressions, positions, activities & personalities through a multi spread book. For example the spread no. 2 style of drawing & treatment (painting with gouache & ink drawing) literally felt like it would kill me to create 10-16 maybe more of these spreads - it's much harder than it seems/looks.
ReplyDeleteDoug's least favourite is the one I chose No. 1 (natch) we barely ever agree on my creative choices - he's a history professor (former) and structural genius but design art critic - ?!? ;-) thanks for the comments
Absolutely wonderful Susan. I love these. Congratulations on such a well thought out creative process with such a delightful outcome.
ReplyDeleteEach one has distinct qualities I love about them. Love all the collage stuff. Is this hands on or digital now? Either way, looks fab!
ReplyDeleteHi Michael !! still all by hand but I am learning to make clipping paths & layering in Photoshop - still have a very long way to go xo Susan
ReplyDeleteSusan - You have a serious future in illustrating books! I LOVE these designs. The snail is adorable, your typography is always great and I love the flowering tree too. Great job :)
ReplyDeleteI too had to go read the story that this title is illustrating. Wow. That left me thinking.
ReplyDeleteI love all your illustrations !