THE ARTIST’S CHOICE OF MEDIA

Woodcuts and Similar Techniques

Perhaps the earliest beginning of the history of printing.The nonprinting areas are cut away, leaving a raised surface that, when inked and pressed on paper, duplicates the original design.If color is used, the artist must prepare as many woodcuts as colors.Woodcut illustrations produce a bold simplicity and have a power not found in other medium. ( My Son John)

Wood engravings are cut on the end grain of very hardwood (usually boxwood) rather than with the grain of a soft wood.This gives a delicate, fine line. (What You Know First)

Etching is another type of engraving technique.A design is drawn with a tool on a waxed metal plate.Then the plate is dipped in acid, which eats thin lines into the metal.The wax is removed, and prints are then made from the inked plate. (Pigs from A to Z)

Linoleum block prints also give a finer line than woodcuts. (Hilda’s Hen Search)

Scratchboard illustrations can be confused with wood engravings, because their appearance is similar.In this process, a very black ink is usually painted on the smooth white surface of a drawing board or scratchboard.When the ink is dry, the picture is made by scratching through the surface with a sharp instrument.Color can be added in inventive ways to create texture. (Chanticleer and the Fox)

Collage and Construction

Collage is very simple and childlike.The word is derived from the French verb “collar,” meaning “to paste,” and refers to the kind of picture made by cutting a variety of different kinds of materials, and assembling them into a unified, harmonious illustration. (The Snowy Day)

Sometimes collage may be combined with other techniques, or artists may create their own paper/colors (Eric Carle).Marcia Brown uses a sophisticated technique in Shadow.Rich backgrounds of textured painted shapes are cut to form purple and orange mountains; the people and their shadows are done in black and tissue-paper silhouettes.

Multiple techniques/materials might include modeling clay, paper, textured materials, preserved grass, leaves, feather, hair and paint.Found-object construction might use folded-paper sculpture, cutout figures and furniture objects.Asian techniques of paper cutting is also popular and may create lacy linear design.

Paints, Pen, Ink

Most illustration for children is done in paint, pen and ink....or a combination of these media.The use of acrylics and other new techniques sometimes make it very difficult to determine the medium used.Generally, paint can be divided into two kinds:

1.Paint that is translucent and transparent(watercolor)

2.Paint that is opaque (tempera, gouache, oils)

Watercolors allow authors to convey the light airy feeling of clouds, skies, etc.It also may give a sense of quiet dignity.They can be warm and cozy, symbolic and create wonderful texture.

Opaque paints give a more brilliant and intense look.Texture can be created however.Gouache (pronounced “gwash”) paint is watercolor with the addition of chalk and has an effect similar to tempera.

Acrylics (plastic paints) produce vibrant, almost glowing colors.When mixed with water, acrylics resemble transparent watercolors.More often acrylics are used straight from the tube.

Full-color oil usually creates a feeling of depth, allows for some subtle color tones that glow with a rich sheen and add depth.This is particularly suited to the warm human stories.

Crayon, Chalk, Charcoal, and Pencil

Crayon and soft-pencil illustrations are frequently employed for 

children’s books.They allow for subtle textures and are easily 

discernable.Pencil drawings (graphite)can also create a mystical 

mood, pastoral settings, and surrealism.Increasing artists are 

using combinations of many media.

Photography

May be used as the foundation for a text and the basis for 

additional media.

Combinations

Artist sometimes choose to mix media, especially pen-and-ink.This 

can provide emotions and characterization.Other combinations 

might be watercolor, pen and rubberstamp, or watercolor, pastels, 

and acrylic

Elements of Design

Shape and Line - convey meaning

horizontal - peace, repose

vertical - stability

diagonal - action, movement

Sometimes line will enclose space and create shape.This can also give meaning.

Shapes with sharp edges and corner give tension and movement.Non-geometric shapes give a sense of life.

Color - convey emotion, mood, meaning, children respond well tothis element, cultural aspects, lack of color ormonochromatic effective

Space - convey feeling, directs emphasis, powerful in drawing ourattention

Perspective (Composition) - vantage point to view, conveys action,three-dimensional, organization of objects and shapes

Texture - the suggestion of a surface, enriches the visual experienceand stimulates the viewer’s imagination

Page Layout - (Use of space) - Most picture books are 81/2 by 11 in.Some special formats might include a different sizeor shape.Picture books usually fall into one of thefollowing levels of formality with text: 

1. Text on opposite page

2. Text above or below 

3. Irregular text (or fits around illustrations)

4. Combination of two or more

5. Lack of text

Style

This elusive quality is based on the arrangement of line, color and mass into an entire visual image.An illustrator’s style is influenced by many factors: her/his own skill, the vision of the story, the meaning to be conveyed, the harmony needed.This is the author/illustrator’s signature or style

Representational Art, Realism - a picture of the world as we see it in real life. (All the Places to Love)

Impressionism - attempting to capture the first visual impressions before emotion or intellect could define it further. (Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present)

Expressionism - Shocking colors, items and figures out of proportion, rough and rapid brush strokes, an emphasis on the artist’s inner emotions and self-expression. (Chato‘s Kitchen)

Surrealism - combination of realistic and incongruous images in unnatural juxtapositions to make the viewer believe in this unreal scene. (Jumanji)

Folk Art - lack of convention (found in self-taught artists in history). (Swamp Angel)

Cartoon Style - gross exaggerations , lively line to create movement and humor, appeals to children. (The Cat in the Hat)

Personal Styles.....signature features, elusive quality, changes and varies with the work, fresh and original.