Storyboarding

Starting with a few storyboards too. Another way to map out ideas quickly. 

Putting the Chinese New Year Together

How the front cover starts out - it's not my main concern at the moment! Will be later. 

Light and quick pencil drawings

Here's my first attempt at dummy book number one! My story may still change but I thought it was a good place to start. Putting ideas down on paper is better then leaving it inside my head and it gets the ball rolling too. I've just scanned a few double spreads. There's a lot I still need to change and I actually did this one wrong! For the Macmillan brief I have to do 32 pages including a front and back cover, 2 sets of end papers and a copyright page. By the time they've taken some space I'll be left with 12 double page spreads. In this version I did 13 by mistake but first mistake out the way! Now I can recreate it with 12.

As you might have noticed there's no binding on the book yet, no front cover, and the text isn't accurate either along with a few other things but this is simply to get the basics of the book down. Once there's a simply structure it becomes easier to develop. 

Looking at Books

In the studio today we were given the chance to just sit a look at children's books which is great for my inner child. It was extremely helpful too because it allowed my mind to run free. Here are some of the books which caught my attention. 

Winnie's Magic Wand by Korky Paul and Valerie Thomas

Notice how his endpapers are in a completely different style to the rest of the images inside the book.

The Crocodile who didn't like Water by Gemma Merino

Winner of the Macmillan Prize competition 2011

Two of my books …

Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker

Illustrated images and wrote poems

The Whales Song by Dyan Sheldon and Gary Blythe

I have an obsession with the under water world :)

Allan Ahlberg

Also had a look at Allan Ahlberg as my tutor recommended it. 

He has written some fantastic books of children, over 100 in his collection, keeping us all (most likely) entertained for around 30 years. He has also often worked with his wife to create some of these.

Allan also worked as a teacher, very similarly to Mini Grey which has probably aided him in creating some brilliant books. I've posted a few - I'm sure most of us would recognise them!

Day in London

Dragon in the street wants to say hello!

To celebrate the Chinese New Year I heard there were a few activities in London and around China Town, Soho. Unfortunately it was so packed full of people that I didn't actually get to see much of what was going on (even though I left to get there early in the morning!) However I did capture a few images from the event and I'm pleased I went simply because it's the year of the Horse. I particularly liked the design for it. Enjoy x

Drawing continues …

Celebrations All Around

An article from the Evening Standard a few days ago.