Illustrating Your Own Book

FAN ART!

FAN ART!

Lets start!
Create 3

QUICK different character sketches.

[Time to draw a cat, a doodle, an animate inanimate object,

fan art, whatever, just get juices flowing.]
(if youd like a main character AND a sidekick, go for it!)

NEXT
Partner up. Discuss your 3 characters....their names, what they
are, where they came from, special powers, etc.
Tell partner 1 positive thing about their character you love and 2
things they can improve on, in your opinion!
WRITE DOWN THE TIPS. example: add more texture

NEXT
Choose your favorite character sketch from the 3, and draw

5 different versions of that character!

Try different angles, sizes, textures, facial expressions, line
quality, and colors!
Make sure all 7 ELEMENTS are apparent in your final sketch.

Now
Choose your favorite character sketch from the 3, and draw

5 drastically different versions of that character!

Try different angles, sizes, textures, facial expressions, line
quality, and colors!
Make sure all 7 ELEMENTS are apparent in your final sketch.

Illustration history
Begin by discussing the idea of illustrating books. In Western cultures, book illustration started during
medieval times when each book was handwritten and illustrated. When the printing press was
invented by Gutenberg in the 1450s, the method of including illustrations changed. A wood cut, where
a drawing was carved in reverse on a wood tablet and then inked and pressed on paper, was one of
the first methods used.

Storybook
Pixar Storyboarding!

Gravity Falls comparison!!

Storyboard
1. Create the story board for your book!
2. You must have at least 10

pages with each principles

represented! If you need more than 10 to tell the adventure... go for it!
3. Use manila or drawing paper to draw the boxes and scenes for each
page.

requirements for illustration

1)

the size of the book as it will influence the art,

2)

aspect ratio (width to height of the space the drawing is intended to fill),

3)

dealing with book gutters (the edge of the bound page),

4)

the art must reinforce the book by using the characters and objects appropriate to the story

5)

the art must create the feel of the story (happy, sad, majestic, old, techie, etc),

6)

the art should reflect the intended reader of the book (young children, teens, adults, ethnic
group, cultural group, gender group, etc)

7)

the art must be able to be created on the book pages themselves.

PAGE LAYOUT

Storyboard
1. Create the story board for your book!
2. You must have at least 10

pages with each principles

represented! If you need more than 10 to tell the adventure... go for it!
3. Use manila or drawing paper to draw the boxes and scenes for each
page.

storyboard/pair share
1.
2.
3.

Get into a partnership of 2.

Each person will take a turn pitching their story, pointing to each illustrated box, describing
dialogue if necessary.
The partner will critique and student will write down all suggestions:
a. One positive aspect of the characters story you love!
b. Two improvements for the story, illustration, set up, dialogue, etc.
c. One idea for book cover and story title.

4. Pay close attention to PRINCIPLES OF ART, there must be at least 10 pages, and all 10
principles evident in the story.
When done please create your book cover and title, using partners tips!

RUBRIC
WRITE THIS ON YOUR STORYBOARD.

RUBRIC: Illustrated Book

Demonstrating an understanding
of the elements and principles of
art

1) My character is correctly
composed of all of the elements
of art.
2) There are at least 10 pages
with a Principle of Art clearly
illustrated.
3) There is a glossary at the end
of the book, including my main
character with each Element of
Art labeled. Each Principle of Art
illustrated is listed with a
description of the page it is on.

1) My character is somewhat
composed of the elements of art.
2) There are less than 10 pages
with a Principle of Art somewhat
clearly illustrated.
3) There is a glossary at the end
of the book, somewhat including
my main character with each
Element of Art labeled. Most
Principles of Art are listed with a
description of the page it is on.

1) My character is not composed

of the elements of art.
2) There are not 10 pages with a
Principle of Art illustrated.
3) There is not a glossary at the
end of the book, including my
main character with each Element
of Art labeled. Not all of the
Principles of Art are listed with a
description of the page it is on.

Originality (Creativity) and

Neatness

1) My book cover is thoughtfully

planned and organized; one main
object/theme is emphasized.
2) I illustrated my character and
story neatly, my lines and coloring
are clean.
3) My drawing(s) are creative and
fill the paper appropriately; there
are no large empty white spaces.
4) My book is titled and I am listed
as the author and illustrator.

1) My book cover is somewhat

planned and organized; one main
object/theme is emphasized.
2) I illustrated my character and
story somewhat neatly, my lines
and coloring are kind of clean.
3) My drawing(s) are somewhat
creative and nearly fill the paper
appropriately; there are some
large empty white spaces.
4) My book is not entirely titled
and I am not listed as the author
and illustrator.

1) My book cover is not planned

and organized; one main
object/theme is not emphasized.
2) I did not illustrate my character
and story neatly, my lines and
coloring are not clean.
3) My drawing(s) does not fill the
paper appropriately; there are
large empty white spaces.
4) My book is not titled and I am
not listed as the author and
illustrator.

BOOK?
What kind of book style do I want to
make?

cover
PAY ATTENTION TO THE COLORS AND WHERE
THE CHARACTERS ARE LOCATED ON THE
PAGE ON THESE CHILDRENS BOOKS

BOOK READ
CONGRATULATIONS! You have illustrated your own book!
Get into 10 Groups of 3-4 students.
In your groups each student will read their book.
After each reading each member of the group will give 2 pieces of feedback.
1.
2.

What they LOVED about the book!

What could the illustrator IMPROVE in their book?