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illustration in non-fiction
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From: Lalicki, Barbara <barbara.lalicki>
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 09:26:38 -0400
I thought participants in the discussion might be interested in these comments from author-illustrator Rosalyn Schanzer:
It takes the spirit of a detective or a treasure hunter to get the artwork right in nonfiction picture books. In fact, digging up the best research material is half the fun.
I researched the pictures for How We Crossed the West; The Adventures of Lewis and Clark by using descriptions and sketches from the explorers' journals and letters, by looking at drawings and paintings of the different Indian tribes and landscapes along the route made by artist/adventurers during the period, by sketching authentic artifacts in the Smithsonian Museum, by gathering information from Lewis and Clark landmark locations, and by researching models and plans of all the different boats. Even Thomas Jefferson, who sent the Corps of Discovery across the continent to begin with, was shown at the age he would have appeared in 1803-I found a portrait painted during that year to use as research. And I used volumes of photographic research too, showing Indian artifacts, plants, animals, and geographic sites seen along the route. When I did the research for Gold Fever! Tales From the California Gold Rush, I traveled to California and took over 600 shots of mining sites and artifacts from the goldfields themselves. I recently completed work on an upcoming picture book entitled How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning, and of course, I had to travel to Philadelphia to research the artwork by looking at the architecture and museums showing everything about Franklin's life and inventions. I also spent plenty of time with experts who could keep me honest and point me in the right direction to find lightning rods, batteries, clocks, and all the other odds and ends that make pictures interesting. It pays big dividends for readers or nonfiction when all the animals and people and articles of clothing are portrayed accurately for a given time or place, whether the style of the artwork is realistic and serious or stylized and humorous.
Rosalyn Schanzer, author and illustrator
Barbara Lalicki SVP & Editorial Director HarperCollins Children's Books email barbara.lalicki at HarperCollins.com Fax 212&1f89
*************************************************************** This message is intended only for the use of the individuals to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this transmission in error; any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this transmission is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message and all of its attachments.
Received on Wed 24 Apr 2002 08:26:38 AM CDT
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 09:26:38 -0400
I thought participants in the discussion might be interested in these comments from author-illustrator Rosalyn Schanzer:
It takes the spirit of a detective or a treasure hunter to get the artwork right in nonfiction picture books. In fact, digging up the best research material is half the fun.
I researched the pictures for How We Crossed the West; The Adventures of Lewis and Clark by using descriptions and sketches from the explorers' journals and letters, by looking at drawings and paintings of the different Indian tribes and landscapes along the route made by artist/adventurers during the period, by sketching authentic artifacts in the Smithsonian Museum, by gathering information from Lewis and Clark landmark locations, and by researching models and plans of all the different boats. Even Thomas Jefferson, who sent the Corps of Discovery across the continent to begin with, was shown at the age he would have appeared in 1803-I found a portrait painted during that year to use as research. And I used volumes of photographic research too, showing Indian artifacts, plants, animals, and geographic sites seen along the route. When I did the research for Gold Fever! Tales From the California Gold Rush, I traveled to California and took over 600 shots of mining sites and artifacts from the goldfields themselves. I recently completed work on an upcoming picture book entitled How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning, and of course, I had to travel to Philadelphia to research the artwork by looking at the architecture and museums showing everything about Franklin's life and inventions. I also spent plenty of time with experts who could keep me honest and point me in the right direction to find lightning rods, batteries, clocks, and all the other odds and ends that make pictures interesting. It pays big dividends for readers or nonfiction when all the animals and people and articles of clothing are portrayed accurately for a given time or place, whether the style of the artwork is realistic and serious or stylized and humorous.
Rosalyn Schanzer, author and illustrator
Barbara Lalicki SVP & Editorial Director HarperCollins Children's Books email barbara.lalicki at HarperCollins.com Fax 212&1f89
*************************************************************** This message is intended only for the use of the individuals to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this transmission in error; any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this transmission is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message and all of its attachments.
Received on Wed 24 Apr 2002 08:26:38 AM CDT
