"There is something special about knowing that your stories can alter the way people see the world, and their place within it." - Jerry Pinkney
Jerry Pinkey: IllustratorAcross his fifty year journey as an illustrator, Jerry Pinkney (b.1939) has cast a warm, curious eye on our world to create transcendent images that reflect his passion for life, his love of family and community, and his deep and abiding engagement with the rich complexities of history. A master watercolorist with a distinct personal message to convey, he reminds us that no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted, in elegant images that celebrate life's small but extraordinary moments, the wonders of classic literature, and the wisdom of those who have gone before us. Initially created for the covers and pages of periodicals, postage stamps, greeting cards, product advertisements, and well-traveled historic sites rather than the walls of galleries and museums, Pinkney’s artworks have also appeared in more than one hundred illustrated books, garnering well-deserved acclaim.
"I was born in 1939, smack in the middle of a family of eight. Growing up in the 1940s, I was also smack in the middle of another turbulent era in American history. Our country was still recovering from the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression was finally ending, and World War II was just beginning," Pinkney wrote in a 2016 essay for WHYY — which you can find here. "In the 1940s, Philly was not as plainly segregated as many of the Southern states, but there was still often an implied separation of the races — limitations on where we could go, things we could do, who we could talk to. Stores did not have any 'whites only' signs posted, but the 'open' sign on the door didn't always mean that my friends and I really could enter and be served. I never knew if that 'welcome' sign included my parents, uncles, aunts, and the black adults who were our neighbors, teachers, and pastors — those very individuals who tried their best to instill a sense of self worth in us." Making art, Pinkney said, was how he espcaped this hard reality. He earned money to buy art supplies by shining shoes while sharing a house with five siblings in a six-room, two story house in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. Drawing, he said, was where he felt safe.
"I began elementary school in the mid 1940’s, graduated from high school in 1957. In all that time, the word Dyslexia was never used nor did anyone try to find out why it was so hard for me to read. Little was understood about learning disabilities or a child like me that was eager to learn, and was trying his best. I drew great satisfaction from making pictures and was acutely aware of how drawing centered my being, enabling me to focus. This creative activity bolstered my self-esteem. Because my challenges were not recognized or considered, this learning disability was rendered mute. Young Jerry found ways of hiding my difficulties. I was very good at it. However, I was never a poor student by finding inventive ways to participate in classroom instructions. As a matter of fact, I became an excellent student, graduating from elementary school with honors. "Upon graduating from high school, I was awarded a complete scholarship to the Philadelphia Museum College of Art, now known as The University of the Arts. These accomplishments took great skills. It took a large amount of energy to navigate each and everyday, wondering when that time would come when I would be called upon to write a note or read out loud. Imagine having to constantly find new ways to slip out of those situations. "I perfected the craft of drawing, and leaned on that talent. Drawing shouldered the weight of my deficiency. I was putting marks on paper to learn and make peace with myself. Howbeit the act of writing a note is still a challenge. Yet, I love to read, no matter how slowly. "Today, adapting classic stories for children’s books, and writing articles for various publications has become my new creative frontier. "For the young person who is struggling in school, never forget there are many different ways to learn. Be curious. Do not be afraid to try. Do not be disappointed when making mistakes. You will discover your own unique way of understanding the things being taught. Learn from mistakes. Everything that happens to you will frame who you are, and who you will become. Your path to success will follow." (http://www.jerrypinkneystudio.com/frameset.html) |
What is book illustration?Book illustration is a form of fine art that is used to create drawn pictures and images for books. Illustrations are meant to be much more than pretty pictures, however. They will usually help add to or enhance the story in some way.
Generally speaking, illustrations are more commonly found in children’s books. Some children’s books may consist of nothing but pictures, although many children’s books also have words as well. Not only do these pictures, add visual appeal for a child, but they can also help a child understand the words of the story as well. Book illustrations differ from fan art and even cover as one illustration is not used to try to tell the WHOLE story but rather small snippets of the story. Book illustrations typically look like snapshots in time. The character is in the midst of the action or a task.. The characters are not stagnant and just standings there in the middle of the page. in addition Often the characters are reimagined and styled. It is very common for classic stories to be retold and the artist put their style of spin in the look. Charactersitsicts of Good IllustrationSeveral conditions determine the choice or the production of a good illustration: How evocative is it. The quality of the message transmitted Clarity and accuracy Illustration and Artist QsMrs Ras's favorite children's illustrations |
Assignment
Either choose a story that already exists or come up with your own and create one illustration of one important moment in that story. You must must create a full composition, background included. The image should look like a snapshot in time, ie no stunt characters. It should feel as if we the viewer are intruding or spying on the moment. Make sure that your message ie narrative is clear. An illustrations sole purpose is convey the storyline to its viewer.
If you choose to recreate a story that already exists, remember you must design the characters and scene, that must be original. Consider putting a your own spin on the story to make it more original. .
To begin the assignment, please complete the Soitry questionnaire. Then begin sketching your design, your sketch can be old school with paper and pencil or you can colllage on photoshop. The final product must be fully painted, and not just cell shaded. I want to see full value, form and even texture.
If you choose to recreate a story that already exists, remember you must design the characters and scene, that must be original. Consider putting a your own spin on the story to make it more original. .
To begin the assignment, please complete the Soitry questionnaire. Then begin sketching your design, your sketch can be old school with paper and pencil or you can colllage on photoshop. The final product must be fully painted, and not just cell shaded. I want to see full value, form and even texture.
Step one: brainstorm and SKETCH your CHARACTER AND SCENE
Sketching is visualized thinking. This is they time try out ideas and see if they work
Your character and scene must
To sketch your character you can do one of the following\
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STEP FOUR: DIGITAL PAINTING
back in photoshop bring your finalized line drawing to color. make sure to consider, value, hue, mood, etc
Your paint must
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