Bring to class:
- Large sketchbook
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Pen & Ink *optional
- B&W photo reference
- laptop
Thumbnail sketching
Illustrators are
visual communicators who tell stories with pictures. These pictures start with
small thumbnail sketches in a sketchbook, so you can see how your thoughts work
on paper. These sketches are simple line drawings with a small amount of values
to make your ideas easier to read. These sketches are for personal critiquing
only. This method should help you see if an idea can work visually. Since
thumbnail sketches help you resolve your ideas, you should complete as many as
possible.
The difference
between a good illustration and an unsuccessful one, often comes down to the
ideas. Norman Rockwell wrote, "The
idea itself probably is the most important element of the entire illustration."
Listed below are
some suggestions:
1. Read and
reread the text a number of times.
2. While
reading, make small doodles of your ideas.
3. Write notes
about your ideas.
4. Sterling
Hundley makes word associations with other words and doodles/sketches.
5. The goal of a
sketch is to communicate an idea with simple
lines, shapes and values.
6. Create 10 to
25 thumbnail sketches in your sketchbook
Below is an example of sketches and
the final image.
Tomer Hanuka’s Perfect Storm for The New Yorker Cover
WHAT ARE CONCEPTS AND HOW DO I GET ‘EM?
by illustrator Jillian Tamaki
“Concepts are ideas. Some
ideas are good. Some are bad. Some are offensive or insensitive. Some of them
are tried-and-true (but possibly boring). Some are clever and make you laugh.
Some rely on intangible things like “atmosphere” and “emotion” for their power.
Some live and die on the execution (finish) of the piece.”
In
order for a piece to be successful, you must communicate your idea to the
viewer. The viewer should be charmed, intrigued, empathetic, repulsed, provoked.
SOMETHING.