Mika's back....

After a hiatus of several months, Mika, and her kids book story, are back on the drawing board. Shes had a makeover, as have the other characters and general style of the illustrations. The goal was a mix between traditional drawing and folk art. So Ive penciled in about seven of the twenty or so illustrations needed.

Im working on Arches100% cotton 185gsm watercolour paper, which is a bit lighter than Im used to, hence Im having to learn how to 'stretch' paper. Yep, like you do with canvas only different. Apparently it makes for ease of paint flow and stops buckling from washes.

Basically I got a 4 ply board and estapoled both sides and the edges to prepare it. Then you soak the watercolour paper in water for about ten minutes. Lifting it out you place it flat onto the prepared board, wiping off excess water. Then using special tape, which has a glue that activates when it gets wet, I taped the picture, with pencilwork side up, down to the board. Making sure to press out any bubbles or buckles. Ive just done this process with my first drawing, so apparently now i leave it to dry out on a flat surface, and then its time to add some colour to Mika's world. Exciting...

Mika's coming along....

After many failed attempts, Ive managed to trim Mika's story down to about 730 words, owch, and have broken the text up into whats on what page. It seems a childrens picture book is from 500 to 1000 words, with the latter pushing it. The time has come to refine the scribble of my storyboards into individual roughs, and insert the more detailed pages Ive done, into a 'dummy' book thats the size it would be if published.

Already this is clarifying where images are flowing and interestingly composed, or a bit constipated or obvious. Im having to create backgrounds, depth and make sure that Mikas character, and the style of it all together, has continuity. That she doesnt age 5 years from one image to the next and is easily recognisable as herself, which has meant leaving some earlier drawings behind.

I'm yet to see the larger drawings Ive done scanned, and then reduced down to the 21.6cm X 21.6cm, and how they look. They're some in the post i hear! All i've seen are the photos Ive taken myself, not great quality thanks to a slight tremor that appears whenever I really want a clear shot. Ive found a printer nearby with an A2 scanner so next week ill take in some of the bigger works, 42cm x 42cm, and see how they turn out reduced. Im hoping the detail of the pencil work will shine through. Also time to invest in one of those multiskilling printer slash scanner slash photocopier thangs. Although writing text by hand does have a certain ambience...

Well, back to the drawing board for me...

Mika's story...

When I wandered onto the path of writing and illustrating a kids book i didnt really know what id stumbled into in terms of the process. The characters and worlds have evolved, seeming to continue too, through the combination of clarifying both text and images. Most childrens books are 32 pages long, so ive done a rough, or three, mapping out of what text, plus visuals, goes on which page. Some images will be double page spreads, others single page focus. The actual point where you turn the page can build suspense or drama, so its another tool.

Simply illustrating the words works sometimes, but there are times when a little mini story can take place in the visuals aswell. Something to be spotted, or a reappearing theme. My pencil marks are getting a little less anal and tight, some fluidity is creeping in, I figure if you're going to make strokes they may as well be fun to do, otherwise the tedium of drafting a full page could quite possibly create insanity! Mika herself is becoming less a babushka doll and more a girl, which is interesting. Im learning the importance of quick gesture and composition sketches to bounce ideas around, rather than launching into detailed drawing....

Im drawing double size, so that in reduction, detail work looks fancier. That means Im working on a square 42cm by 42cm for a full page, or 42cm by 21cm for a smaller image. The goal is to work up a 'dummy' book the actual finished size I would want if its ever published. So once I gather enough illustrations im happy with and the texts refined, I'll scan them and reduce them down, print them up and glue them into a mock up thats 21.6cm square. I decided to go with the square for something a little different.

An excellent side effect of these processes is that i just have to do research in the small peoples section of the library, watching programs on tv and movies aimed at the younger side of humanity. Although hopefully Mika will be enjoyed by grown ups that are reading her tale too. Ive shown the story so far to a several teachers, one who recommended ages 5 and up, but that said she also reads to babies and toddlers. Apparently theres no 'too soon' (or 'too late') when it comes to reading. It can only serve to increase comprehension and language skills.

Raven....