Other Things ...

To keep you updated on what else I had planned after producing my book in the summer … 

I started to experiment with applying my images onto other things. It was done very simply and quickly just as a way of seeing what things could potentially look like but here they are anyway. I'd have to rethink a few things but it's something I'd still like to consider in the future and not just for my dragon books for my other illustrations too. 

Honoring Our Dragons

I came across this blog which actually allowed me to look further into a few other books for children which included dragons. This of course is great, just because it's more research. 

Sara, the author of the article and owner of the blog, is a freelance writer and editor and she goes on to explain how she and her family are making a big deal on 'how to face their dragons'. In this case, the dragons being a bad thing and not necessarily the creature itself. And as part of her inspiration she rediscovered some books at home which I have continued to research here.

I've attached her blog so please have a read …

http://loveinthesuburbs.com/

Here are a few of the books mentioned in her bog entry … 

Dragon's Everywhere

I've been researching some other dragon illustrations out there but not the adult kind, the kind which are aimed at children. I've discovered some beautifully wonderful work, not to mention some seriously skilled and creative illustrators. 

The thing with dragons is that the number of types, sizes, colours, talents and even cultures is endless. I'm currently doing my dissertation on Fantasy art (to put it simply) and dragons are a big deal. They are incredible because there is hardly a culture which does not include them. The myths and legends they play a part in is timeless it seems and they can be pure evil or heart warningly good. They can be bound to any of the four elements and magical or not have an ounce of magic in them.  They don't even have to be scaly, they can have feathers and be fluffy too. 

So it's no surprise that when it comes to illustrating them, creating them, we as artists, can let our imagination run wild. I would certainly like the world to know about 'my' type of dragon, just like these fantastic illustrators.

Laura Diehl

http://www.ldiehl.com

Kei Acedera

Tony Diterlizzi

http://diterlizzi.com

Jackie Morris

http://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/blog/

I particularly like Jackie Morris' work, simply because I love the added details she puts into her work which makes the creatures a little less realistic and over-the-top. For example, the claws on her dragons are so curly it would seem impossible for them to do anything with. I love it!

Let's Go Back

Remember my summer project? I've had this idea about a little dragon for years and after learning what I had from Year 2 I thought I'd put it together properly when doing my summer project. This is the story that at the moment I think I'm going to. I can rework it, develop it and possibly have it printed as a final book by the end of this Semester. As mentioned in the summer, I also have other plans for this character which I can work towards also. Here is my work from the summer, the final spreads and the final book.

The Little Dragon who couldn't Fly

What's Next?

It feels good to be back! I've had a few weeks to get thinking about what I'll be doing for my best project. Honestly, I came away very confused and unsure. I'm completely stuck between my Nan's poem or continuing with another book. However, I plan on repeating what I did last year by entering the Macmillan Prize Children's Book competition 2014.

Here is the brief from last year and this year's isn't up yet, but it gives me something to work towards. As part of this project, similarly to last Semester, I have to write a proposal and a time table and by entering this competition it gives me very good focus and also a 'provisional timetable' to work towards.

There have been some amazing illustrator's involved in this competition, their work is innovative and so much fun. Have a look … 

http://www.panmacmillan.com/macmillanprize

Finished

All ready to hand in tomorrow! I also put together a Presentation Booklet which is simply the slides which I put together for my presentation (that was a mouthful) which is shown here. But I have here my collection of dummy books, a USB with my reflective summary, PDF presentation and link to THIS blog on it and the booklet.

I hope that I can continue with the same enthusiasm I had this Semester, for next Semester too. Next brief, I am ready for you!

I hope you enjoy x

Sewn Together

Here is my final dummy simply stitched together. I wanted to show you guys the finished thing. I think I've still got a lot of work to do but I'm also still very pleased with the work I've produced.