Lesson Title: Book Illustration

Developed by: Jim Balkovek
Audience: 6-8 Grade Students
Lesson Length: 6-8 - 1 hour sessions

Brief Summary of Lesson Plan:

This class explores the heart of visual storytelling. Starting with a historical exploration of the art of the book. Starting with Illuminations from the Bible, through the works of Dureer, Audubon, Dulac, Howard Pyle, NC Wyeth, Maurie Sendak and other illustrators and books from Mother Goose to the Stinky Cheese Man. In a step by step approach, the student will be guided through the process of the development of roughs, characters, storyboarding to final illustration. Emphasis will be placed on dramatic impact, point of view, sequence, and the students' ability to visually communicate.

Lesson Objective:

Historical exploration of the art of the book. Know how to process the development of roughs, characters, storyboarding to final illustration. Understand dramatic impact, point of view, sequence, and ability to visually communicate.

Lesson Sequence:

Session 1:

• Lecture on the history of book illustration, with a question and answer period. An exploration of illustration from illuminations of Bible text to modern fairy tales. Instructor will also present their own examples of finished works.
• Students will leave first session with an assignment to find a story or write a story to illustrate.

Session 2:

• Students will bring a story to illustrate.
• Instructor will present on the process of character development, storyboarding, and sequencing.
• Class will discuss the different points of view that can be used to add drama and visual impact.
• A step by step approach on how to arrive at finished illustrations will be shown using overlaying techniques to refine artwork.
• Materials will be discussed.
• Homework- students will be asked to develop characters and storyboards.

Session 3:

• Storyboarding and characters will be developed. Discussion on type inclusion

Session 4:

• Students will break off into groups and critique storyboards, with suggestions on how to improve. Guidelines will be given on proper critique procedures.
• Demonstrations of material usage; watercolor, pen and ink, colored pencil, collage will be given by instructor.
• Students will leave with task to begin final illustrations.

Session 5:

• Work on illustrations and type combining. Students will be given the task of producing a cover for their book.

Session 6:

• Continue work on illustrations

Session 7:

• Complete book including covers. Bind books together.

Session 8:

• Binding complete - Final critique.

Visual & Performing Arts State
Content Standards Addressed:

Artistic Perception

• Through the exploration of the history of book illustration students will be able to identify common and unique design elements, as well as apply these to their own work.

Creative Expression

• Students will be applying the use of story development, sequence, and storyboarding in the creation of their own illustrated manuscript. This manuscript will be either of their own creation i.e. their own fairy tale, or a new twist on a popular story or legend.

Historical/Cultural Context

• Through the historical viewing of selected works from book illustrators to early printing: old fairy tales; the works of Durer, Dulac, N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, Beatrix Potter, Maurie Sendak and others; the students will be able to see and appreciate the cultural and historic flavors of illustrations through the ages.

Aesthetic Valuing

• Class will participate in a series of critiques, one in process and a final critique. Students will evaluate their and others ability to present a story visually.

OTHER

Previous Knowledge and Skills Needed

• Basic drawing skills, ability to use pencils, basic watercolor, marker, or colored pencil usage.

Vocabulary addressed

• Contrast, shading, 3 dimensional form, contour drawing gridding, blind contour, highlight, reflective light, halftone, turning edge, cast shadow, abstraction, realism, expressionism, texture.

Equipment/Materials Needed

• Paper, pencils, tracing paper, colored pencils, watercolors, craft paper, watercolor paper. PowerPoint access. Spiral binding equipment.