The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators presents
THE BIG PICTURE:
Exploring the Art and Business of Children’s Book Illustration
with Laurent Linn, Art Director
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Time: Sunday, May 30, 2010 9:00-5:00 p.m.
Morning Master Class 9:00-12:00, Afternoon Lectures 13:00-17:00
Place: Nishimachi International School, Yashiro Media Center (Library) Motoazabu,Tokyo
For access information and maps, visit www.nishimachi.ac.jp
Fee: Morning Master Class: Master Class is now closed to submissions
Afternoon Lectures:
Advance Registration 3,000 yen SCBWI members; 4,000 yen nonmembers
(contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for reservation and payment details)
At the Door 4,000 yen SCBWI members, 5,000 yen nonmembers
Reservations: Required! Contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to reserve your place.
Materials to bring: Sketchbook, pencil, eraser
This event will be in English. Japanese interpretation available by advance request.
Schedule
9:00-12:00 Master Class
This master class for both published and pre-published illustrators is available by advance registration. Illustrators will be given an assignment in advance to create a single full-color illustration of a scene from a children’s story. Participants will bring these final art pieces to the master class for discussion. Linn will discuss the strengths of each work as well as aspects that could be improved. Reserve immediately as space is limited to 10 illustrators and 5 observers, and participants will need several weeks to complete the assignment. For details about the master class assignment and reservations contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Lunch Break
1:00-2:30 A Delicate Artistic Balance: The Role of an Art Director at a Major U.S. Publisher (lecture plus Q&A)
From selecting illustrators, to working with artists on each step of the illustrations, to designing striking covers and interiors, art directors are responsible for the artistic integrity of their books. But they also must satisfy the business needs of publishing children’s books in today’s world by collaborating with sales and marketing voices. How do the realities of selling books affect the creative process and final art and designs? How are covers created and who has final say? What input do authors and illustrators have in all this? Using visual examples, Laurent will explain how it all comes together.
3:00-5:00 Art for Books, Not Frames (lecture and hands-on, plus Q&A)
While drawing well is difficult, visual storytelling is even harder. There are many talented artists, but really good illustrators are rare. In this session we’ll analyze how drawing for literature differs from all other types of art. First, showing examples of art created for various purposes, Laurent Linn will explore why certain illustrations succeed and others don’t. And, most importantly, he’ll talk about what these ideas can mean for you and how to approach your illustration in ways that can make it shine. Second, we’ll get out our sketchbooks and have some fun. With Laurent sketching and suggesting ideas, we’ll explore with our own drawings how to make our children’s book characters more dynamic and engaging—ultimately more suited to storytelling, which is what children’s literature is all about.
Laurent Linn, Art Director for Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, began his career as a puppet designer in Jim Henson’s Muppet Workshop. With the Muppets for 11 years, he became the Creative Director for Sesame Street, winning an Emmy Award. Laurent illustrates; reviews over one hundred books a year as a member of the Children’s Book Awards Committee at Bank Street College in New York; and collaborates with noted editors, authors, and illustrators on picture books, middle-grade books, and teen novels at Simon & Schuster.
www.scbwi.jp .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
