From Start to Finish - Song of Spring, Part 2

It's Finished!!

Well, with the exception of the eye for the bird, (which I completely forgot), and I may or may not put a little shadow underneath the girl and wagon to ground them.  I've also been entertaining the thought of doing a dotted line/flight path for the butterfly, but I think I will wait until after the crit to decide on that one. Might fool around with it in Photoshop a bit first, too! Still would like to put in the words as well, but I've got to learn how to make a text path that curves in PS.

Here are a few photos of the transformation...

   

Whole piece, not yet digitally cropped.

...and if you missed the first half of the creation process, you can look here.

This project was a great experimentation process for me, because I learned that I get a little cranky when it comes to cutting things.  I have become to used to just BAM! laying it right down with paint or something, and there it is, all finished!  But with this process I had to trace my original image, then cut, then trace, then cut some more, then add a little paint here, and trace, and cut... you get the picture.  It's a bit more complicated doing it this way, but I am happy with the results.  I'm not saying I wouldn't ever do a collage like this again, I just am relieved that it's finished!

A bit of sweat and tears (and screaming while my husband laughs at my tantrums), and I can move on to the next project!  (I wouldn't say no to a job that required I use this method, though!)

Now I've just got to get crackin on that Mother Nature...

From Start to Finish - Song of Spring, Part 1

As I have already mentioned, we have started a new project in my children's book illustration class!  The assignment is to do a double page spread of a cut paper/collage illustration, and must integrate the text in an interesting way.  Although we could pick a poem from Cheryl's collection, I chose instead to use my own words so that I may submit my work to Ladybug Magazine when it is finished.  The poem is titled "Song of Spring."

We began in the usual way, by drawing thumbnails on parchment paper to get a feel for the composition.  I had an image in my mind that I felt was a strong one, so I stuck with that.  I'm terrible when it comes to thumbnails- once I get the idea in my head it won't go away, and I've pretty much decided what I want to do.  I know this is a no-no...but what can I say, that's how I work!

It should go without saying - All words and art in this post are Copyright Melanie Linden Chan 2010.

I did a bit of research and sketching on the critters and things that are in my piece before I settled on this:

Next I did a color comp to get a better idea of what I was getting myself into:

(yes...it is in crayon...I was stuck at work with limited supplies!)

Then I stepped outside for a bit to make my colors!  I used old newspaper, in both English and Chinese, and taped them to cardboard.  Then my acrylics and I went crazy!  I also added a touch of nature here and there- such as crumpled leaves and grassy textures, made with (can you guess?) grass:

...and here is part of my collection of paper:

I chose to use canvas for my base, because I want to have a nice final piece that I can either put into a show or sell one day.  Of course I couldn't purchase a canvas size that fit my project's dimensions perfectly, and I didn't have the time or materials to make my own, so I settled with a 16x20, which is actually turning out pretty well.  I messed around a bit before I came up with my background, using acrylic and layered tissue paper:

Of course I lost my crop marks in the process, so I put them on the side edges of the canvas and made myself a little composition frame:

A little bit of cutting and arranging...

The squint test wasn't working so well for me, but luckily my camera has a Black & White option so I can check my values.  They definitely need some re-working! (plus the lighting is bad here)

That's all I've done so far...but this week is Spring Break!  Too bad it isn't Spring Break in the working world as well, but I will take what I can get.  Both "Mother Nature" and "Song of Spring" are due on April 26th, so check back in a little bit and you'll soon see the finished pieces!

ooooo!!! found a new favorite!!!

In my search of collage and paper cutout techniques for our next project in class, I have come across the AMAZING .....*insert drumroll here*.....

Mique Moriuchi! (ta daaa!)

A book she illustrated was on our book-share table in class, and I fell in love with the art.  I searched online for more, and more, and I'm super duper excited!!  I love finding new and exciting art :)

Also- somewhere along the way I found this other cute blog, where you can easily see the difference between various artist's styles.  Very cool.

Okay, now back to re-working my manuscript and cut-paper composition...

Visiting Artist: Judith Moffatt

Tonight in Children's Book Illustration 2, we had guest illustrator Judith Moffatt come and talk about her art.  Judith works with cut paper, and it is some GREAT art!  It was a fun visit- we got to see how she works from start to finish, and she brought in samples of original pieces as well as books that have been published.  She is a very funny and kind person, and we have lots of things in common- (like being a label freak, LOVING a piece of paper so much all I can do is horde it, and an awe of nature.  My favorite color for the majority of my life had been purple as well, although now teal has taken over!)

One of the coolest parts of meeting her was that I found out she regularly submits her work to National Wildlife Federation's "Wild Animal Baby" Magazine, and I have a stack of 23 of them!  Needless to say, I am now happily bookmarking every page that features her art in all of my magazines.  Judy, if you're reading this, Thanks for a fun night!  You can see her art here, on her site: http://www.judithmoffatt.com/  Ms. Moffatt also has a blog: http://msmoffatt.blogspot.com/

The main reason for her visit was to help the class understand a bit more of our next project...can you guess?  A cut paper, collage or other 3D technique.  It's going to be fun, but complicated.  All I have to do now is finish the first project... I'll have proof that it's done here on my blog soon!

We haven't done anything since "Old Pig" in my Writing for Children class, because the last two weeks have been cancelled due to illness, and then to the flooding.  Oh the flooding!  It's times like these I wish I was a millionaire so I could help all those people who are now homeless, or are in need of water heaters, or could just use a break from the mess.  My heart goes out to you!!