****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
If you're interested in illustrated children's books, or any aspect of the illustration process, this book is fascinating.I'd like to write and illustrate some picture books, myself. I'm already an artist and an author, so the combination seems like a good match. However, when I sat down to work on illustrations for a picture book... my mind was blank. What do children look for in illustrations? What's important... and what's a wasted effort?This book answered those questions for me.I especially like the examples throughout this heavily illustrated book. You'll see early sketches, works in progress, and completed illustrations from many different artists. You'll learn the history of illustrations for children, and pick up important tips for drawing children and animals.Several chapters focus on different kinds of media for illustrating, including black-and-white work, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, and more.You'll learn about picture books as well as illustrating children's book, and designing illustrations for older children's books, as well. History books, poetry books... all kinds of topics are covered.Cover design is included, alphabets and fonts are featured, and you'll learn about design as well as the publishing process.This book is kind of a whirlwind of information, a little about every aspect of illustrating children's books. If you're looking for a step-by-step, "first you draw a circle for the head" kind of book... this isn't that.However, if you want a rich overview of illustrating and children's books - as an author, illustrator, or someone who shares books with children -- this book is a must-read, and possibly a must-own. You'll see where your own strengths are, and where you may want to stretch yourself and acquire additional information and skills.
