mj arts illustration 3

26
Presenti Presenti ng ng Marty Jones, Illustrator h t t p : / / w w w . m j a r t s . c o m h t t p : / / w w w . m j a r t s . c o m Part 3 Part 3 A Day in the A Day in the Life of an Life of an Illustrator - Illustrator - Creating a Creating a Children’s Book. Children’s Book.

Post on 19-Oct-2014

266 views

Category:

Documents


2 download

DESCRIPTION

The purpose of MJ Arts is to provide the individual as well as the professional community with the graphic tools they need to communicate their message to the world in a manner that is honest, attractive and in keeping with the timeless values that build society.Marty Jones has been a professional illustrator for over three decades, and is committed to communicating a \'sense of wonder\' to the world. Using hand-drawn and digital media, he creates images in a manner that reflects the contributions of the great illustrators of the Twentieth Century; in a format suited to the Twenty First Century.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Mj Arts Illustration 3

PresentinPresentin

gg

Marty Jones, Illustrator

htt

p:/

/ww

w.m

jart

s.co

mhtt

p:/

/ww

w.m

jart

s.co

m

Part 3Part 3

A Day in the Life of A Day in the Life of an Illustrator - an Illustrator -

Creating a Creating a Children’s Book.Children’s Book.

Page 2: Mj Arts Illustration 3

First Heroes for FreedomFirst Heroes for Freedomby Marcia Bjerregaardby Marcia Bjerregaard

First Heroes for Freedom tells First Heroes for Freedom tells the story of Cuff, a 15 year old the story of Cuff, a 15 year old slave who lives on Aquidneck slave who lives on Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island in the year Island, Rhode Island in the year 1778. One night his owners send 1778. One night his owners send him on a journey to enlist with him on a journey to enlist with the First Rhode Island Regiment, the First Rhode Island Regiment, a military company comprised a military company comprised primarily of slaves. While primarily of slaves. While serving in the First Rhode serving in the First Rhode Island, Cuff begins to learn the Island, Cuff begins to learn the meaning of freedom.meaning of freedom.

Page 3: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Oregon At Last! Oregon At Last! By Lillian ForemanBy Lillian Foreman

Oregon At Last tells the Oregon At Last tells the fictional story of 11 fictional story of 11 year old Maggie, and year old Maggie, and her family, as they her family, as they journey along the journey along the Oregon Trail from Oregon Trail from Missouri to Oregon. I Missouri to Oregon. I have a personal have a personal interest in the story in interest in the story in that my paternal great-that my paternal great-grandparents grandparents journeyed from journeyed from Missouri and Kansas to Missouri and Kansas to Oregon 20-30 years Oregon 20-30 years after Maggie's family after Maggie's family made their trip.made their trip.

Page 4: Mj Arts Illustration 3

The Declaration of The Declaration of IndependenceIndependenceby Melinda Lillyby Melinda Lilly

"The Declaration of "The Declaration of Independence" is an Independence" is an Easy Reader version Easy Reader version of the story of of the story of Thomas Jefferson's Thomas Jefferson's writing of the writing of the document that document that began the began the Revolutionary War.Revolutionary War.

Page 5: Mj Arts Illustration 3

A Day in the Life of an Illustrator-A Day in the Life of an Illustrator- One day I received a telephone call One day I received a telephone call

from a publisher...from a publisher...

She had seen some of my She had seen some of my illustrations on the illustrations on the Internet, and wanted me Internet, and wanted me to illustrate a book for to illustrate a book for her. her. She said she would send She said she would send a manuscript-- a copy of a manuscript-- a copy of the story-- for me to the story-- for me to read.read.This is part of the story of This is part of the story of Forever and Always Forever and Always by by Karen Schilling-Gould.Karen Schilling-Gould.

Page 6: Mj Arts Illustration 3

A word about my past A word about my past expectations...expectations...

I used to think that I I used to think that I would be working with would be working with authors in creating authors in creating children’s books. Instead children’s books. Instead of working with authors, of working with authors, I’ve worked with editors. I’ve worked with editors. This isn’t bad; it’s just This isn’t bad; it’s just different than I different than I expected... expected...

Page 7: Mj Arts Illustration 3

The story is about one special The story is about one special celebration of the weekly celebration of the weekly Jewish Sabbath- Shabot -which Jewish Sabbath- Shabot -which begins on Friday at sundown, begins on Friday at sundown, and ends on Saturday at and ends on Saturday at sundown. This tradition has sundown. This tradition has existed for centuries, and existed for centuries, and continues today in the same continues today in the same manner as it was celebrated manner as it was celebrated thousands of years ago. thousands of years ago. The story is also about a girl The story is also about a girl named Sophie and a special named Sophie and a special pair of candlesticks.pair of candlesticks.

Forever and AlwaysForever and Always is an undiscovered is an undiscovered treasure; undiscovered because it treasure; undiscovered because it hasn’t been published yet.hasn’t been published yet.

Page 8: Mj Arts Illustration 3

A Day in the Life of an Illustrator - A Day in the Life of an Illustrator - Creating a Children’s Book.Creating a Children’s Book.

Creating a children’s book Creating a children’s book is similar to making is similar to making movies, in that the Editor movies, in that the Editor runs the process- in the runs the process- in the same manner as the same manner as the Director of a movie. Director of a movie. Typically the Editor selects Typically the Editor selects the illustrator. Discussing the illustrator. Discussing picture ideas with the picture ideas with the author is sort of author is sort of discouraged. discouraged.

Page 9: Mj Arts Illustration 3

However, working on However, working on Forever & AlwaysForever & Always was different...was different...

I’m not Jewish. I have an I’m not Jewish. I have an interest in Jewish history interest in Jewish history and culture, but it’s not and culture, but it’s not the same. Ms. Shilling-the same. Ms. Shilling-Gould, realizing that the Gould, realizing that the illustrator for her story illustrator for her story might not be Jewish, might not be Jewish, added a clause to her added a clause to her contract requiring her contract requiring her review of the artwork to review of the artwork to ensure cultural ensure cultural accuracy. I did a lot of Internet research on Jewish art accuracy. I did a lot of Internet research on Jewish art and culture. I like my illustrations to be accurate.and culture. I like my illustrations to be accurate.

Page 10: Mj Arts Illustration 3

The Anatomy of a Children’s Book: The Anatomy of a Children’s Book: Finding the PicturesFinding the Pictures

Reading a book is a ‘team Reading a book is a ‘team effort’ between an author and effort’ between an author and the reader; sometimes assisted the reader; sometimes assisted by an illustrator. My job as an by an illustrator. My job as an illustrator is to find the pictures illustrator is to find the pictures that the author’s words bring that the author’s words bring to the mind of the reader; and to the mind of the reader; and then to draw those pictures. then to draw those pictures. I read the story several times, I read the story several times, looking for ‘word pictures’ to looking for ‘word pictures’ to draw. For this book, I needed draw. For this book, I needed to find 15 ‘word pictures’; plus to find 15 ‘word pictures’; plus a cover illustration.a cover illustration.

Page 11: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”In this case, ‘dummy’ doesn’t mean stupid; it In this case, ‘dummy’ doesn’t mean stupid; it means making a small model of the book. It is means making a small model of the book. It is

similar to a storyboard for movies or similar to a storyboard for movies or television.television.

This is the finished version; it starts more simply. This is the finished version; it starts more simply.

Page 12: Mj Arts Illustration 3

The Anatomy of a Children’s The Anatomy of a Children’s BookBook

I drew 32 boxes, sized as directed by the I drew 32 boxes, sized as directed by the editor.editor.

A 32 page book is very common-16 sheets of paper. The printing occurs on each side of the page. The last page is set up on the printing sheet so that it is located next to the first page.

Picture books Picture books typically have a typically have a page count in page count in multiples of 4multiples of 4

Page 13: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”

The first step is to decide what portions of the The first step is to decide what portions of the manuscript are best suited to having illustrations; manuscript are best suited to having illustrations;

then decide how the illustrations will look. then decide how the illustrations will look.

Page 14: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”SketchesSketches

I start sketching I start sketching scenes from the story; scenes from the story; thinking about how the thinking about how the finished book will look.finished book will look.I often start by making I often start by making anatomical sketches- anatomical sketches- first drawing simple first drawing simple skeletons, and then skeletons, and then adding muscle groups. adding muscle groups. Then I start doing Then I start doing research...research...

Page 15: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”ResearchResearch

I usually do a lot of research for my illustrations, I usually do a lot of research for my illustrations, especially for historical stories. I use the Internet a lot; especially for historical stories. I use the Internet a lot; I also use books written on the subject of the story.I also use books written on the subject of the story.

Continental Soldiers for Continental Soldiers for “First Heroes...” and “The “First Heroes...” and “The

Declaration of Declaration of Independence”Independence”

Re-enactors from Re-enactors from the First Rhode the First Rhode

Island Regiment- Island Regiment- “First Heroes for “First Heroes for

Freedom”Freedom”

Oxen for Oxen for “Oregon At “Oregon At

Last”Last”

Page 16: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”More ResearchMore Research

I used historical paintings and I used historical paintings and drawings for references in drawings for references in creating the members of the creating the members of the Continental Congress for Continental Congress for “Declaration...”“Declaration...”

Page 17: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”StillStill More Research More Research

I often create ‘movie I often create ‘movie stills’ using my computer stills’ using my computer and my VCR, for use as and my VCR, for use as reference images.reference images.I used to feel guilty about I used to feel guilty about using photos for using photos for references, until I came references, until I came across this quotation across this quotation from my hero, Norman from my hero, Norman Rockwell, who often used Rockwell, who often used a balopticon- an opaque a balopticon- an opaque projector- for his projector- for his drawingsdrawings

Page 18: Mj Arts Illustration 3

"The balopticon is an evil, inartistic, habit-forming, lazy and "The balopticon is an evil, inartistic, habit-forming, lazy and vicious machine! It also is a useful, time-saving, practical and vicious machine! It also is a useful, time-saving, practical and helpful one. I use one often—and am thoroughly ashamed of helpful one. I use one often—and am thoroughly ashamed of it. I hide it whenever I hear people coming. My two lame it. I hide it whenever I hear people coming. My two lame excuses for using it are: most of the other fellows use it, and excuses for using it are: most of the other fellows use it, and nowadays you don't drive a horse and buggy when you can nowadays you don't drive a horse and buggy when you can use a car. Nevertheless, I always will have one on hand use a car. Nevertheless, I always will have one on hand because it is a great help in many wholly good and legitimate because it is a great help in many wholly good and legitimate ways."ways."

My ‘balopticon’ is my computer, scanner and My ‘balopticon’ is my computer, scanner and printer.printer.

Page 19: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Making Line DrawingsMaking Line Drawings

When I’ve decided how the drawings should be laid When I’ve decided how the drawings should be laid out, I then make line drawings from my sketches. out, I then make line drawings from my sketches.

Page 3 from Page 3 from Forever and Forever and AlwaysAlways

Page 20: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Creating a Picture Book “Dummy”Making Line DrawingsMaking Line Drawings

The Editor wanted me to contrast The Editor wanted me to contrast the ancient Jewish Sabbath the ancient Jewish Sabbath traditions with modern furniture in traditions with modern furniture in the house. the house.

I used photos from interior I used photos from interior design magazines for general design magazines for general layout; and then designed similar layout; and then designed similar furniture.furniture.

Page 21: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture BookCreating a Picture BookDeveloping the DrawingsDeveloping the Drawings

I then take the line drawing and add shading, to I then take the line drawing and add shading, to make it more realistic. The drawing often make it more realistic. The drawing often changes in the process. changes in the process.

Page 22: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture BookCreating a Picture BookDeveloping the Drawings - FacesDeveloping the Drawings - Faces

Drawing faces is Drawing faces is difficult. Putting a line difficult. Putting a line in the wrong place in the wrong place causes a face to look causes a face to look too fat, too thin; too too fat, too thin; too old, too young.old, too young.I was having trouble I was having trouble drawing Sophie’s face drawing Sophie’s face from my imagination.from my imagination.

So I contacted the author to ask So I contacted the author to ask for photos of her daughter, who for photos of her daughter, who was the correct age for the story; was the correct age for the story; and she became “Sophie”.and she became “Sophie”.

Page 23: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Creating a Picture BookCreating a Picture BookDeveloping the Drawings - More FacesDeveloping the Drawings - More Faces

One of the advantages of being able One of the advantages of being able to work with the author was to work with the author was ‘meeting’ Nana Pearl, and being ‘meeting’ Nana Pearl, and being able to include her in the able to include her in the illustrations.illustrations.

Page 24: Mj Arts Illustration 3

For this book, I’ve colored the For this book, I’ve colored the pencil drawings with my computer.pencil drawings with my computer.

Sometimes the Sometimes the drawings change drawings change as I work on as I work on them. Sophie’s them. Sophie’s door started on door started on the other side.the other side.

For the drawing For the drawing on Page 13, I on Page 13, I decided a closer decided a closer view of Sophie view of Sophie was important was important for the telling of for the telling of the story.the story.

Creating a Picture BookCreating a Picture BookFinal ArtFinal Art

Page 25: Mj Arts Illustration 3

The End of the StoryThe End of the Story

Or Maybe Not...Or Maybe Not...This book doesn’t have an This book doesn’t have an ending... yet. The publisher ending... yet. The publisher who wanted me to illustrate who wanted me to illustrate Forever and AlwaysForever and Always decided decided not to publish the book. not to publish the book. Fortunately, the author Fortunately, the author retained her rights to the retained her rights to the story. To my knowledge, no story. To my knowledge, no other publisher has shown other publisher has shown interest in publishing the interest in publishing the book; and this is sad- it’s a book; and this is sad- it’s a wonderful story. So I keep wonderful story. So I keep working on it during my working on it during my spare time. Hopefully it will spare time. Hopefully it will get published some day.get published some day.

Page 26: Mj Arts Illustration 3

Return to PowerPoint Index