Monday, February 22, 2010

Doodle illustration technique- the video!

I have created a video to demonstrate my 'doodle illustration technique'.

What is 'doodle illustration technique'? It is a simple fun way to create illustrations in a short time and without planning. It is a great way to kick start the creative illustrating process and to design first drafts of your illustrations.

As always, my art is fun art not 'great art'. And if I can do this I think you probably can too!


Monday, February 8, 2010

Creating an animated film with a little one!

On Saturday I was lucky enough to attend a 'Make your own film' workshop at the World Culture Museum here in Gothenburg. The workshop was run by Gunilla Gränsbo who is a member of Create A Book For A Child.

Sofia (4.5) wanted to make a film with penguins in it (I think she was inspired by Pingu), and so she and I spent a little time making plastacine penguin figures and a little scene backdrop on a flat piece of card. When ready we then took still photos of our penguin characters (and a fish) on the card background. Using a Mac computer and some free film making program (I can't remember what it was called just now- but I will get back to you witht he name) we made this very simple film.


Find more videos like this on Create A Book For A Child!


Find more videos like this on Create A Book For A Child!

So here we created a story through film and this story was not created for my child but with my child.

I can't wait to get started animating some of the stories I have created and to watching Sofia create more of her own films.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Childrens book illustrations exhibition!

A couple of weeks ago now we had our first Create A Book For A Child exhibition opening and it was a great success.

We held it in the beautiful location of Härlanda Kyrka here in Gothenburg. This location was perfect, it is a beautiful space with lots of space and light and candles.

6 of my students had 2 of their illustrations framed and displayed. We set up a table where people could come and read the entire books and speak to the authors.

The day was a lot of fun as you can see from the photos below.


Find more photos like this on Create A Book For A Child!

Drawing people.

Some of my students really want to get proportion right when they are drawing, they want to draw 'realistically'. Other students are happy to play and for their pictures to be technically imperfect but full of expression.

However you want your illustrations to look is ok. In my book there is no right or wrong, just do what makes you feel happiest when creating a personal book. If you look at professionally published children's books you will see many different styles are used by many different illustrators.

I love abstract and cartoon like images as much as 'realistic' images.

Anyway, one comment I hear over and over is "I can't draw people" or "I don't know how to draw people".

If you are one of these people I have found a couple of videos that instruct you on how to draw people and 'characters' (not always a person).

To watch these videos click on the following links:

How to measure proportion for drawing people

Tips on how to draw people