Children's Book Illustrations, Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake is famous for illustrating the Roald Dahl books. To jog peoples memories Roald Dahl is the author of books such as Matilda, James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I loved Roald Dahl books ever since I was introduced to them at Primary School and have read a bunch of them and seeing Quentin Blakes illustrations instantly reminds me of them.

Blake's illustrations were always great at helping you visualise the story looking back, especially the book 'The Enormous Crocodile' pictured at the top which targets certainly a younger age group than books such as 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', and was so much more exciting to read while looking at her illustrations.

I wouldn't class Blake's illustrations as fine drawings or fine paintings. They are scrawly and sketchy but are charming all the same and represents the delightful humour Dahl's writing certainly had.

Children's Book Illustrations, Eric Carle

I think for many people this will spark some memories, The story of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'.

The story was simple, a caterpillar who eats everything he comes by until eventually he morphs into a butterfly. The illustrations were made by loosely brushing paint onto tissue paper which can be seen through the build up of lovely colours and diversity of shades. The book has holes punched through the thick card pages to give the impression the Caterpillar has eaten his way through the book. Its charming illustrations and innovative design is what was so appealing for me as a child and I think for generations to come. When I have a child I will definitely be getting him/her a copy.

Rodney Matthews, Alice in Wonderland

As my Major Project's target audience is young children I thought researching children's books would be crucial this is also advice Nickelodeon Studios gave me. Everything is included in one package to help you understand a child's mindset. The child's book includes the simple story with a simple plot line, the tone of voice and gorgeous visuals.

Here are some illustrations by Rodney Matthews. I actually bought the book because I was captured by such beautiful imagery. The colours design and shapes are all so enticing and really draw you in.

Up and Away

Anyone who has seen the Disney Pixar animated film 'Up' will instantly see the connection between film and photos.

I came across these images thanks to my arrival on Twitter. I'm currently following many Disney and Pixar animators and these images were sent to a Pixar Animator, courtesy of National Geographic Magazine. The Pixar animator posted a link to all these fabulous images.

In the film 'Up' a house is connected to a bunch of balloons which then flies off to an Island. I think maybe National Geographic wanted to see through curiosity and pleasure if this in fact was plausible. And as you can see through these images it was in fact plausible and cannot believe how high in the sky it flew.

I took instant pleasure from these photographs as I'm a huge fan of Disney and Pixar though pushing this aside I then realised how beautiful the photography was. I especially love the saturation and diversity of colour. Low angle shots and wide shots they are gorgeous and all seems so magical and enchanting.

Final Tests, part 1

Since my last Pippy Painter test I have looked more into how balls bounce and exaggerated this for a more fun looking, comic and cartoon effect.

Each illustration is on a separate plane, illustrated and painted by myself as I wanted to create a children's storybook type visual. I intend to build up the background more for a richer feel.

I Wonder Title

This will be my last shot of my titles which introduces my programme 'I wonder'.

I kept the colours bright and engaging considering my target audience of 3-5year olds. I chose shapes which were round, soft and bouncy looking and exaggerated this. Since visiting Nickelodeon Studios this is an effect I have since always considered as they stressed this point to me.

LONDON: Nickelodeon Studios, Portfolio Visit

March 8th 2011

LONDON: Nickelodeon Studios, Visit / Portfolio Crit!

This experience was very exciting for me. During my visit with Paul Roberts the freelancer he was able to get me a visit to Nickelodeon Studios as he had worked for them in the past. Nickelodeon was my favourite channel as a child, so this was a big deal for me.

I was greeted by a lady called Kim. My visit consisted of viewings of sets, props and packages created for Nick Jr. I was able to sit in on a programme that hasn't been aired yet, being only at the editing stage.

During this I got to meet the director, who seemed very interested in what I have been doing at Uni, explaining what I was doing for my Major Project and asked to look at some of my work. I showed my Audrey Piece and Green and Blacks from my final year. Kim sat in on this and they both agreed my stop-motion was great. I explained this was a method I hadn't yet decided if I wanted to use throughout the whole of the package of my children's programme. The director stated that it wasn't a good idea to use it fully as not many children's programmes were fully stop-motioned, explaining it was mainly used in the 70s and since then it randomly comes in and out of fashion. I had before this began thinking of using stop-motion for the set and creating my characters in a 2-D animation form, this may help clarify my decision. This may also give a lovely contrast of mediums.

In the same folder was my nature versus man video from first year, I was reluctant to show this but they urged me anyway as the director explained he likes to see a mixture of mediums. After showing it he said he liked the edits and music, I was surprised as if I had the chance to re-do this, two years down the line I reckon I could improve this.

He had a quick look through my recent sketchbook for my children's programme and he gave me great advice in regards to the creation of a piece for young children. He placed pressure on the point that everything should be kept soft, specifically the edges of specific objects or characters, no sharp angles only curves. He specified target audience how 1-2 and a half years age group are completely different to that of a 3-5 years age group, how they have developed dramatically over short period of time. However he stated a programme that has been watched by a 2 year old could carry on watching the same programme until that child possibly is 6 years old, because he/she has been brought up with that programme, a feeling of nostalgia must come into the equation.

He went on to explain that everything must be simplified and slow in regards to story aswell.

He also suggested in terms of research to look at websites and watch a lot of children's television. I have done a lot of this already so is good to know I'm on the right track.

After the meeting with the director Kim took me up to her workspace and possibly showed me everything she had worked on while being at the company. She showed me many of her idents she had created for Nick Jr. Nick Jr is a channel more for the target audience I will be working for, 3-5 years. They were lovely cute and quirky and thought I would love to be doing this. Kim gave me her e-mail, telling me to keep in touch. I would love to send her my finalised children's piece and see what she thinks. This could be next on the agenda.