Illustration Development

Introduction

This blog post aims to synthesis inspiration from Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Joel Stewart to create a new captivating children’s book. The Steel City Clean Ups illustration development journey draws inspiration from Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s post-impressionist cabaret posters and Joel Stewart’s contribution of illustrations in The Magic Paintbrush written by Julia Donaldson. By blending elements from both artist I will be able to create a whimsical story, full of charm perfect for young readers and adults sharing the experience.

The below images showcase a few posters by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec that I intend to draw inspiration from. As I have already written the story, I have a clear direction and narrative to draw for.

Figure 1 – Illustration inspiration for the children’s picture book. Referring back to the project proposal. | Poster name – Aristide Bruant in His Cabaret (Aristide Bruant dans son cabaret). 1893. (Cushman, E. 2016).
Figure 2 – Illustration inspiration for the children’s picture book. Referring back to the project proposal. | Poster name – L’Anglais au Moulin Rouge (Englishman at the Moulin Rouge). 1892. (Cushman, E. 2016).
Figure 3 – Illustration inspiration for the children’s picture book. Referring back to the project proposal. | Poster name – Moulin Rouge, La Goulue. 1891. (Cushman, E. 2016).

Figure 4 – Referring back to the project proposal and using influence for Lautrec’s colour usage for the children’s picture book. (Au concert; Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, no date).
Figure 5 – Referring back to the project proposal and using influence for Lautrec’s colour usage for the children’s picture book. (Henri Toulouse Lautrec artworks, 2019).

Annotated Storyboard

Figure 6 – A recap of the layout I intend to follow in storyboard format.

Colour Palette

Colour is vital in visual storytelling, acting as an infusion of depth and emotion. Colour can evoke emotion in its viewer and draw them in further. As Kendra cherry states, ‘Colour is a powerful communication tool and can be used to signal action, influence mood, and even influence physiological reactions. Certain colours have been associated with physiological changes, including increased blood pressure, increased metabolism, and eyestrain.’ (Kendra Cherry, 2024).

As well as colour effecting our moods and physiological reactions colour can also be used to describe feelings, emotions and influence our actions. As Kelsey Allard states ‘Colour communicates so much. It has the power to convey moods and feelings like when people say, “He was green with envy,” “I’m feeling blue” or “She was red hot, she was so mad.” Colour is used to organize life and bring order, like stop lights, or yellow versus white directional stripes on the road, or when some very organized people colour code things everything from books to Tupperware.’ (Kelsey. A, 2021).

Taking on board these fascinating facts, in the realm of children’s picture books, where imagination is heightened, colour serves as transportation into the story through their imaginations. It has the power to evoke moods, convey themes and establish visual language. This is important as the goal of the story is to influence positive environmentally conscious change. Using colours such as blue, red and green will evoke intense emotions and are in keeping with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s influence.

Figure 7 – Colour palette inspiration – Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Cover for L’Estampe originale. 1893 Cushman, E. (2016)

Initial Illustration Planning

The below images show the development of my picture book illustrations without colour. I used my iPad and a studio pen in Procreate to draw each illustration following the prompts from my layout storyboard.

Figure 7 – Spread one – Illustrated in Procreate, main character Penelope.
Figure 8 – Spread one – Illustrated in Procreate, birthday cake.

Figure 9 – Spread two – Illustrated in Procreate, main character Penelope.
Figure 10 – Spread two – Illustrated in Procreate, plastic rubbish.
Figure 11 – Figure 11 – Spread three – Illustrated in Procreate, main character Penelope building.
Figure 12 – Figure 12 – Spread three – Illustrated in Procreate, main character Penelope’s tool box.
Figure 13 – Spread four – Illustrated in Procreate, recycled items.
Figure 14 – Figure 14 – Spread four – Illustrated in Procreate, recycled items.
Figure 15 – Spread five – Illustrated in Procreate, Sheffield city centre.
Figure 16 – Spread five – Illustrated in Procreate, citizens cleaning up the plastic rubbish.
Figure 17 – Figure 17 – Spread six – Illustrated in Procreate, Store front.
Figure 18 – Spread six – Illustrated in Procreate, introducing Messy Maple.
Figure 19 – Spread seven – Illustrated in Procreate, plastic rubbish dropped by Messy Maple.
Figure 20 – Spread seven – Illustrated in Procreate, plastic rubbish dropped by Messy Maple.
Figure 21 – Spread eight – Illustrated in Procreate, Sheffield suburb Street filled with rubbish.
Figure 22 – Spread eight – Illustrated in Procreate, Penelope looking at the rubbish.
Figure 23 – Spread nine – Illustrated in Procreate, Penelope confronting Messy maple.
Figure 24 – Spread nine – Illustrated in Procreate, plastic rubbish.
Figure 25 – Spread ten – Illustrated in Procreate, Messy Maple collecting plastic rubbish.
Figure 26 – Spread ten – Illustrated in Procreate, plastic rubbish.
Figure 27 – Spread eleven – Illustrated in Procreate, Recycled items.
Figure 28 – Spread eleven – Illustrated in Procreate, recycled items.
Figure 29 – Spread twelve – Illustrated in Procreate, clean Sheffield suburb street.  
Figure 30 – Spread twelve – Illustrated in Procreate, citizens cleaning up the plastic rubbish.

Further Illustration Development

The videos below showcase snippets of the development phase of illustrating in Procreate on my iPad, and adding colour to each illustration to bring them to life.

Figure 31 – A screen recording I took when developing my children’s picture book in Procreate.
Figure 32 – A screen recording I took when developing my children’s picture book in Procreate.

Final Illustrations

The below images are the final illustrations I intend to use within the children’s book.

Figure 33 – Final illustration spread one.
Figure 34 – Final illustration spread one.
Figure 35 – Final illustration spread two.
Figure 36 – Final illustration spread two.
Figure 37 – Final illustration spread three.
Figure 38 – Final illustration spread three.
Figure 39 – Final illustration spread four.
Figure 40 – Final illustration spread four.
Figure 41 – Final illustration spread five.
Figure 42 – Final illustration spread five.
Figure 43 – Final illustration spread six.
Figure 44 – Final illustration spread six.
Figure 45 – Final illustration spread seven.
Figure 46 – Final illustration spread seven.
Figure 47 – Final illustration spread eight.
Figure 48 – Final illustration spread eight.
Figure 49 – Final illustration spread nine.
Figure 50 – Final illustration spread nine.
Figure 51 – Final illustration spread ten.
Figure 52 – Final illustration spread ten.
Figure 53 – Final illustration spread eleven.
Figure 54 – Final illustration spread eleven.
Figure 55 – Final illustration spread twelve.
 
Figure 56 – Final illustration spread twelve.

References

Au concert; Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (no date) The British Museum.
Available at:
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/au-concert-henri-de-toulouse-lautrec.html
(Accessed: 07 December 2023).

Cushman, E. (2016) Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec | Moma, MoMA. Available
at: https://www.moma.org/artists/5910 (Accessed:
07 December 2023).

Cushman, E. (2016) Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec | Moma, MoMA. Available
at: https://www.moma.org/artists/5910 (Accessed:
09 October 2023).

Eckstut, A. (2024) What is color theory?, The Interaction
Design Foundation. Available at:
https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/color-theory (Accessed: 11
March 2024).

FMP Children’s Book Inspiration on Pinterest (2023) Pinterest.
Available at:
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/AmberRoseGraphicDesign/fmp-childrens-book-inspiration/
(Accessed: 07 December 2023).

Henri Toulouse Lautrec artworks (2019) RetroGraphik. Available at:
https://retrographik.com/henri-de-toulouse-lautrec-artwork/ (Accessed: 07
December 2023).

Kelsey, Allard, S. and Bothra, V. (2021) The importance of color in your
life, Christine Olmstead. Available at:
https://christineolmstead.com/importance-color-life/ (Accessed: 22 April 2024).

Kendra Cherry, Mse. (2024) Can color really influence your mood and
behavior? here’s what to know, Verywell Mind. Available at:
https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824 (Accessed: 22 April
2024).

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