Back to School...

I've started my artist-in-residency at Almadina Language Charter School in southeast Calgary, and have about 15 classes of grades 1 - 3. Our project over the next month is to illustrate stories the kids have written, either as a class or on an individual basis. My first visit was an introduction to the world of book illustration, about how I work, the process I follow, with lots of fun examples to show.

I've asked that the teachers have their stories written and ready to go -- no more than 150 words long -- and divided nicely into six pages. I devised a thumbnail sketch sheet for teachers to use with the kids prior to my return. Then, when I'm on the scene, I'll work one-on-one with the kids on their artwork.

A picture's worth a thousand words...
Once the copy is separated into pages and paired with the kids' drafty drawings, I want them to trade their thumbnails with a partner and have them read -- sort of a critiquing process. Does the story make sense? Are all those words really necessary? Do the pictures help move the story forward? Or are they just redundant (don't worry -- I'll find a better word than redundant...)?

More soon...