Home | Conference Handouts | Creativity | Submission Guidelines | Teaching Ideas | Contact Us

Storybook Art: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of 100 Favorite Picture Book Illustrators - Children can enjoy their favorite storybook illustrators in a new way by imitating their art with the 100 engaging and simple art projects included in this celebration of children's book illustrators. Featured are famous and award-winning storybook illustrators from the 1930s to present: Good Night Moon's Clement Hurd, Corduroy's Don Freeman, Olivia's Ian Falconer, and more along with biographical information, open-ended art projects, and portraits created by grade school children.

Marshmallow: by Clare Turlay Newberry
from Storybook Art, by MaryAnn F. Kohl

A baby rabbit named Marshmallow and an apartment cat named Oliver become close friends. Both the artwork and the story are gentle and charming.

"People often ask me where I get my ideas for books. To tell the truth, almost all my stories are drawn from my own experience. I have usually acquired a pet, made studies of it for several months in pencil, pen and ink, charcoal and pastel, and then thought up a story based on actual incidents. The story of Marshmallow and his friendship with Oliver the cat is all true and the drawings done from life. I recall wondering, as I sketched Oliver with the bunny in his arms, if anyone would really believe me.”

Materials: charcoal drawing sticks (from art, hobby, or school supply stores - IDEA! An adult can make - or collect - pieces of charred wood from a campfire or fireplace, cool them, and place them in a cup for drawing use. If charcoal is not available, use black chalk or an extremely soft drawing pencil) white drawing paper or blank newsprint (very large paper allows for large arm action) damp sponge for wiping fingers hairspray (optional, with adult help) or clear hobby sealer

Process:

1. Though charcoal sticks break easily and are very messy, marks wash off hands, fingers, and clothing with soap and water, Keep an old towel and an apron on hand. Place a damp sponge on the drawing table for wiping messy fingers.
2. First, practice making charcoal lines, marks, and drawings on scrap paper to find how charcoal acts on paper. Blend and smudge it with fingers or a tissue to see how it blends and shades. Charcoal has a soft look - not precise - so expect a simple light-handed drawing style to work best.
3. When ready, think about a simple idea to draw, such as these –

• fluffy rabbit single flower in a pot
• trees in winter sleeping cat

Use imagination to think up a unique idea.
4. Hold a charcoal stick (or a broken smaller piece of charcoal) like a paintbrush (not like a pencil), and begin the drawing. Smudge and blend lines for shadows and shading with fingertips. Fewer lines drawn freely are more effective than drawing many lines or details, so work simply and lightly.
5. When the drawing is complete, pin or tape it to a display wall. (Do beware of magically appearing fingerprints on walls and doors!)
6. An adult can take the drawing outside or to a ventilated area and spray the drawing with hairspray or a clear hobby sealer to help protect it from further smudging. The drawing can also be rolled and stored, drawing side in facing inward.

Variations:

• Explore drawing with a very soft drawing pencil, using an art eraser for smudging and blending.
• Explore painting with black watercolor paints, another technique used often by Clare Newberry.

Home | About Us | Art Activity Books | Art Activities | Links | Where to Buy | Contact Us