March 5, 2011 In art, creativity, drawing, illustration, imagination, inspiration, skill By Patricia Saxton

Some Thoughts on Illustration

© Patricia Saxton

Maybe because I’m in the thralls of illustrating another book, or maybe because of a letter I recently received from a Savannah College of Art student  .. or maybe that combined with the Teen Arts Show I critiqued last night… or maybe, it’s just me and that thoughts of illustration are never far off and it seems a good time to say a few things.

So here we go.

Illustration is about illustrating. No kidding, you say. But unless you’re talking about technical illustration, or maybe medical illustration (although, to be fair, even within these more structured realms you’ll find varying degrees of expression) illustration is really about the illustrating of ideas.

It’s not about drawing or painting, tools, colors or style. These have a gigantic impact ~ but alone, they do not tell the story.

In the old days, to illustrate literally meant “to illuminate”.  I like to think of illustrating as a creating a visual voice. So, while drawing may be the most common foundation, illustrations need to say something. Explain. Expound. Express. Something pertinent.

I spent countless hours of my youth drawing. Everything in sight. I knew I had “talent”, but didn’t think I was “creative”. Give me a toaster and I’d draw the best damn toaster you’d ever seen. But could I make the toaster clever? Could I make it intriguing, or would it just be a fine toaster? I had doubts.

Then one day the veil broke. Or maybe it was a dam. Either way, I passed through “ability” into a place where creativity flowed more freely.

It might work the other way around for some people, but however we get there, an illustrator needs to a.) think conceptually and b.) have command of their style(s) so that their work exhibits a steady, reliable quality.

A sense of design is also marvelously valuable (how will an illustration look on a page in relation to text and/or other elements?).

Being dependable and trustworthy is another handy trait, especially if one wants repeat work.

And then, you need to pack a sense of humor in your bag ~ not necessarily towards the art itself (unless meant to be funny), but towards the process… because things happen, people happen, emotions happen, mistakes happen. Half of life (if not more) is attitude.

Now for the show… Just a handful of some well-known (and fantastic) illustrators who’ve consistently made great work, paved the way, inspired others, touched lives and even earned a living doing so.

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February 28, 2011 In art, design, painting By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P's / #10: "Paint"

What would the world be without paint?! Whether you’re an artist or an appreciator, life without paint would be a lot less interesting. So … why not … paint something?!

Paint a wall. Paint a chair. Paint a picture. Paint a story. Paint a dream.

Not good with a brush? Here’s the really fun part ~ you don’t have to paint a thing. You can paint in your mind. Paint with your imagination. Slather on some color with sweeping mental brushstrokes. Dab the corners, glory in the details, add some highlights, make it as bold or as subtle as you want. Go ahead! Get messy. Paint from your heart and let those pigments passionately permeate your world. Paint your day a new color.

Problems might still be there when you’re done (unless you’ve managed to paint them away…!)… but you’ll probably come at them with a refreshed point of view. And if nothing else, you’ll have had a fun break.

 

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February 25, 2011 In books & stuff, communication, words and language, writing By Patricia Saxton

Author Margaret Atwood's Keynote: "The Publisher's Pie"

Admittedly, I’ve only read one of MARGARET Atwood’s novels ~ but that one book (The Handmaid’s Tale) earned my lasting respect and admiration.

So when I learned that she’d given a keynote talk at New York City’s TOC conference (Tools of Change for Publishing), I was all ears.

Invigorated with her hand-drawings and delightful wit, it’s a rather insightful listen for all writers, authors and publishers (or those contemplating the same) during these curious, unsettled times in the world of books.

PS: And now I’ll be adding more of her books to my future reading list!

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February 25, 2011 In art, typography, words and language By Patricia Saxton

12 Handwriting Fonts

Along with grungy typefaces, “handwriting” fonts are popular these days. They can add just the right spot of personality ~ but they can just as quickly lose their “natural” appeal when over applied. Much like the “12 cool fonts” I posted a while back, handwriting fonts should be used with discretion.

By the way, free downloadable handwritten and grungy fonts are sprouting like weeds, and as we all know, some weeds are just plants nobody else wants. Doesn’t mean they’re bad  ~ in fact, some of them are terrific! Three places I’ve had some luck are dafont.com, fontspace.com and urbanfonts.com. Thanks and “nice job!” to those type designers sharing their works.

A word of caution: “Free” doesn’t guarantee they’ll work, and can sometimes bring trouble, too. Not all fonts get along with both Mac and PC, so check compatibility before you download. And, as with any freeware, if your computer starts to squeal shortly after loading something new, it’s wise to get rid of that latest freebie sooner than later.

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February 21, 2011 In art, communication, design, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P's / #9: "Punctuation"

Punctuation is a really good thing. Without the unsung little darlings of writing and grammar ~ those wonderful marks that emphasize, clarify and organize our words ~ thoughts would run on in an emotionless void, something like this:

Guess what Jimmy won an Olympic medal today were so excited we were all jumping up and down please have Aunt Jane call Jimmy he will like that today he is tired tomorrow will be better okay we hope youre well

Not to mention; using. them (incorrectly) leads? to not ~ ! making sense” :…

So, embrace those practical characters! Discover their charm. Use them with finesse and diligence. Because proper punctuation makes life a less chaotic, more positive, place.

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February 20, 2011 In books & stuff, graphic design By Patricia Saxton

Evolution of a Book Cover

It starts with a story. An idea, words on a page.

The words unfold, revealing characters, settings, moods. And then, a bit like being put to music, the words get put to pictures. Different styles are explored, and certain elements are established that will express the essence of an entire book. A few renditions later, author and artist in sync, a cover is made.

This is Sam Moffie’s fifth novel; publish date forthcoming. Book cover designs @Patricia Saxton.

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February 14, 2011 In art, communication, design, illustration, imagination, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora Of P's / #8: "Passion"

Passion is an uncontainable spark; it’s the fire in your chest, in your belly, or rising from the soles of your feet … that expands up, around and through, spilling out over the edges of reason. It’s unbridled enthusiasm. It’s love. It’s hate. It’s wonder. It’s joy. It’s feeling alive.

Passion is a gift from the Gods that makes your spirit laugh out loud. It writes symphonies, bakes cakes, throws plates. It discovers civilizations, turns ideas electric, moves us to tears, heals hearts, builds dreams.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! ~ let your passions shine.

 

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February 10, 2011 In communication, imagination, inspiration, presentation, words and language By Patricia Saxton

JK Rowling: The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination

A dynamic, inspiring speech. Watch the whole thing; it’s truly worthwhile.

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/1711302″>J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/harvard”>Harvard Magazine</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>

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February 10, 2011 In animation, art, communication, creativity, drawing, illustration, inspiration, presentation By Patricia Saxton

Daniel Pink's Ideas on Motivation, (literally) Illustrated

A Whole New Mind author Dan Pink has another fascinating book out called Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. If it’s as compelling a read as A Whole New Mind, we’re in for a treat.

Based on Pink’s research on science and motivation, originally presented in a TED talk (always worth watching), the illustrated video below is a pretty inspiring treat itself.

I’ll reserve judgment on the content (it sounds good, and some of it makes huge sense…), except to say that it’s thought-provoking and fantastically presented.

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February 8, 2011 In art, books & stuff, creativity, design By Patricia Saxton

Googling Jules Verne

Every once in a while Google has some fun with its logo treatment. Today’s marine scene caught my eye (were there Mermaids swimming inside the double “o”‘s?), so I did a little deeper-sea exploration.

The design ~ which is interactive, by the way (the “joystick” lets you move the sea and its creatures around … such power!) ~ honors the birthday of prolific French author Jules Verne (February 8, 1828 – March 24, 1905). Verne is best known for “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), A Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873).

A click on their logo takes you to a Google search page all about Jules Verne. A very clever way to say Happy Birthday to one of the literary greats.

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February 7, 2011 In appreciation, art, creativity, design By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P's / #7: "Patience"

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” ~ Winnie the Pooh

Time. The great illusionist. Ticks slowly when we want something to happen; the fast-forward button gets pressed when we’ve got someplace to be.

Time seems to move faster and faster; like it’s in a race. (The great rat-race?) The world’s in such a hurry.

I grew up hearing that “Patience is a virtue”, and I think that’s true. But it’s more than a display of fine character. Exercising patience allows things to unfold more gracefully, in their own right time. And it’s a challenge!

Patience is about what we can tolerate before blowing a personal fuse. It tests us in many forms ~ patience towards self, patience towards others, towards listening, towards learning, towards a menial task, towards traffic jams, towards time …  Wouldn’t it feel good if we could toss the accompanying irritation out the window? Have it vanish in thin air and just “go with the flow”? Easier said than done ~ but possible, if we re-calibrate our thoughts.

We come into this world packaged with personality intact, “strengths and weaknesses” already flowing through our veins, inborn traits determining whether we have more or less of this or that characteristic.

That doesn’t mean, though, that someone born with an impatient nature can’t develop greater degrees of patience ~ not necessarily reaching levels of saintliness, but we are ever-growing, learning, changing beings who can and do evolve and enhance our existence by stretching, expanding and nurturing the various aspects of our inherent nature. Patience is one well worth the effort. Think about it …

Feeling impatient can be such a maddening, aggravating, blood-pressure-rising experience, the solution might seem to be to hurry through it, be done with it. But we all know that doesn’t work …  it doesn’t make the traffic light turn green, it doesn’t make the baby stop crying, it doesn’t make the pot boil, it doesn’t make the flower grow, it doesn’t erase a mistake you might have made; it only lets you experience impatience.

So maybe we can’t make grapes ripen faster on the vine… and if we harvest them too soon, we end up with sour grapes. (And I’m pretty sure that creating sour grapes isn’t on anyone’s bucket list.)

But we can, instead, think patient anticipation. We can shift our focus to eagerness. Patience then is not a passive burden but steps that light up the path.

A wonderful thing happens when you take a few deep breaths and mindfully infuse patience: resistance backs off.  You can be present. You can even begin to enjoy and participate in the unfolding.

Maybe we should heed the line from the old Simon & Garfunkel song, “slow down, you move too fast,  you got to make the morning last …”. Because when we don’t, we don’t feel so “groovy”.

The river doesn’t ask “are we there yet?”. Like the river, we’ll all get where we’re going.

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