Children’s Book Illustration

Background In recognition of October, Fall and Halloween we will be illustrating 2 stories of your choice from the classic children’s book. This series was known for its extremely well illustrated nightmarish works by Stephen Gammell and were deemed so disturbing that the book has been banned in many schools and actually was reprinted with less scary imagery

How it was done Gammell sometimes worked literally by illustrating scenes from the story or more abstractly creating disturbing images that more fit the uneasy tone than any particular character. He relied on “bleeding ink” that fell off the page frame, heavy shadows and grotesquely deformed faces and objects. Once the project is over we will compare his work with yours. Terror is subjective meaning everyone has a very different definition of what “scares“ them

How to do This Read the two stories you have been given Sketch some ideas out on scrap paper for each of the stories. Play with perspective, visual effects, proximity, light and shadow. The goal is to make something unsettling and/or scary. Start tightening your drawings and settle on the two main illustrations you would be choosing to make the final piece. Work with any sized paper. Mediums are ink, ink brush, charcoal, pencil or pen. These are black and white so no color. (You will do each piece in a different B&W medium so if your first is in pen and ink, your second should be a wash, charcoal or pencil work)

Graded on… III. Grading is based on: 1. Following directions and completing ALL steps (including sketches, roughs, and finishes) 2. Displaying proper presentation and craftsmanship…no smudging, stray lines, eraser marks. 3. Creating a thought-out, original concept…a black and white stick figure is unacceptable 4. Use of time – we have four weeks left with two projects to cover so wasting a day will not only cost you your daily grade but will count for 10 points off your final project grade off the bat