From Storyboard to Surface:

Exploring the Art of Illustration

I was inspired by "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J.K. Rowling. I chose the scene where Professor Moody turns Malfoy into a ferret after Malfoy tries to curse Harry behind his back. I think Malfoy deserves it because he has bullied Harry and his friends for a long time, so this moment feels like karma. I chose this scene because it is funny and memorable.

To create my illustration, I painted different colored papers and used scrapers to add texture. I drew my characters, cut them out, and glued them together. I also used a Sharpie to add details. One challenge I faced was putting all the pieces together, but I worked through it by carefully placing each part before gluing.

This connects to the book because it shows the moment when Professor Moody turns Malfoy into a ferret. Harry and Ron laugh, while Hermione stands quietly because she knows what Moody is doing is against the rules. I want viewers to feel the humor in the scene while also understanding what is happening in the story.

My art piece, titled “The Night in the Outside World,” is inspired by Merlin’s Dragon by T.A. Baron. I was drawn to the scene just before Basil has his vision because it is an important turning point in the book. This moment matters to me because Basil’s vision helps save his soon-to-be best friend from death.

I used watercolors to create this piece. I reflected the mood of the story by using dark, nighttime colors. One challenge I faced was blending the sky without messing up the branches and needles. I solved this by carefully layering different watercolors to create the night sky and pine needles.

Through this process, I learned that patience is important, especially when working on detailed parts like the needles. The colors represent the outside world beyond Basil’s home in the hemlock tree. I want viewers to feel calm and peaceful when they look at my artwork. This connects to the book because it captures the quiet moment right before the vision happens.

My piece, titled “Lost Under the Sea,” is inspired by The Lost Heir by Tui T. Sutherland. I was drawn to the scene where Tsunami is swimming in the ocean trying to find the SeaWing palace because it is one of the most interesting parts of the book. I wanted to reflect the mood of the story by showing Tsunami’s face as both happy and curious.

I used watercolors for the background and the dragon, and I added details with markers. I wanted to show the beautiful coral and sea animals that live in the ocean because people sometimes forget how amazing and colorful it can be. One challenge I faced was drawing the dragon because I kept worrying about how it looked, but I worked through it by focusing on adding details step by step.

Through this process, I learned that it’s important not to overthink your artwork and to trust your ideas. I used a mix of blue and purple for the dragon so she could blend into the ocean. I want viewers to feel happy and curious when they look at my piece. This connects to the book because Tsunami blends into the ocean while sneaking up on her prey, and I wanted to show that ability in my artwork.

My artwork is inspired by The Darkest Hour by Erin Hunter. The part that inspired me was when Scourge tells the clans he is going to take over the forest at Fourtrees. I thought this was a very impactful moment because of the fear and uncertainty the cats felt about their future. This mattered to me because I find the emotions of fear and uncertainty interesting and powerful.

I used watercolors to create this piece. I blended different shades of green to make the trees look fuller. One challenge I faced was painting the cats because they were so small. Another challenge was painting the sunset in the background, because the colors kept bleeding into the trees. I worked through this by being more careful with layering and control. I chose watercolors because they helped create a tense and serious mood for the scene.

Through this process, I learned to wait for one layer to dry before adding another. I want viewers to feel scared and uneasy, just like the cats in the painting. I used darker colors to show fear and unpredictability. This connects to the book because the scene is filled with fear as the clans worry about losing their home.

My favorite book is Pronghorn Hunt on the Prairie by Thomas Kingsley Troupe. I was inspired to create this piece because I enjoy reading hunting books and hunting in real life. In the story, the main character has a younger sibling who is always picking on her, which reminds me of my own life because I have a younger sister who likes to play pranks on me. I chose this scene because it connects to my experiences and interests.

To create this artwork, I used paint and pencils to make a semi-realistic version of the scene. I used paint to blend colors and create natural-looking grass. One challenge I faced was painting the pronghorn in the distance down the canyon. Another challenge was painting the grass near the people because the colors kept mixing together. I worked through this by being more careful with my brush and layering the paint. I chose paint because it helped match the mood of the book and allowed me to create texture, especially in the grass.

Through this process, I learned that not every painting turns out exactly how you expect, but you can still improve as you go. The orange color in my piece represents hunting safety gear, which helps people stay visible to others while hunting. I want viewers to feel like they are out in the middle of nowhere hunting with their dad and experiencing the excitement of getting their first pronghorn. This connects to the book because it reflects the pride and experience of hunting in the story.

My artwork is inspired by Warriors by Erin Hunter. I was especially interested in this series because it involves nature. I wanted to show nature in action by creating a scene of a clan cat mid-pounce on a rabbit. I was drawn to this idea because of my love for the outdoors and hunting.

I used watercolors and Sharpie to create this piece. I chose these materials because I wanted to challenge myself. One challenge I faced was learning to be patient while using watercolors instead of rushing. I also used different shades of blue and green to match the look of water and grass in nature.

Through this process, I learned that art takes time, especially when waiting to use tools like light boxes. I want the viewer to feel calm and relaxed when looking at my artwork. This connects to the book because the cats live in four clans and must hunt and survive in the forest.

My artwork is inspired by Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland. The part that inspired me was when Willow went into the cave and felt scared because of all the dragons around her. This scene mattered to me because it has a lot of action and creates a dark, mysterious mood, which I wanted to show in my artwork.

I used watercolors and pencil to create this piece. I blended the watercolors together to create the northern lights effect. One challenge I faced was painting the mountains and the northern lights, but I worked through it by layering and adjusting the colors. I chose these materials because they match the dark and mysterious mood of the scene.

Through this process, I learned that watercolors can be difficult to use but can create strong effects when done well. I want the viewer to feel scared and tense, just like Willow did when she entered the cave. This connects to the book because the author wanted readers to feel that same sense of fear and mystery in this moment.

My piece, titled “Voices in the snow” made by Darcy Coates. I chose this book because it was my first horror book and one of my favorites. I chose this part of the book because in this scene a ghost girl started to show up into a cellar it stood out to me because it was the scariest part and the most exciting.

It inspired me because the words where detailed and explained what was going on. I used watercolors to create shadowing. I could not figure out how to blend the shelves. So, I asked the teacher, and she told to blend brown and black. Through this process it taught me how to shade watercolors.

The colors represent fear and I was trying to go for that, the main colors I used where black and brown. I used those colors for the walls, the hair, for the shelves, and for the ground. When people look at my art peace I want to feel scared kinda, but feel interested in it at the same time.

My piece, titled “Wings of Fire Book 1,” is inspired by Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland. I was drawn to the cave scene because it reminded me of a cave I visited once. I also wanted to explore this book through art because I have read it before but had never drawn or painted anything from it.

I used watercolors, pencils, and a tracing board for one of the dragons. I blended black paint with water to create a cave-like texture for the background. One challenge I faced was drawing the second dragon and creating the shadow and texture. I worked through this by mixing water with black paint again to make a darker gray without making it too dark.

Through this process, I learned that even if you are not confident at something, you can still improve by trying. The colors and setting represent the cave scene and help show the mood of the story. I want the viewer to feel a mix of peace, respect, and a little bit of a spooky feeling. This connects to the book because it shows the same scene, even though I changed a few details like the cave and did not include the stairs.

My artwork is inspired by The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han. I chose this scene because it was funny and made me laugh. It shows Steven, Conrad, and Jeremiah falling asleep while Belly tells them to wake up or they won’t get burgers. This moment mattered to me because it shows real friendship and kindness between people who care about each other. That is important to me because I care a lot about my friends and family.

I used pencil, watercolors, Sharpie, and water to create this piece. One technique I used was “water on water,” where you put water on the paper first and then add watercolor on top. One challenge I faced was drawing the hair, especially Conrad’s, because I couldn’t get the texture right. I chose watercolors because they add more feeling to the scene and make it look more lively.

Through this process, I learned that watercolors can mix easily if you are not careful. The blue represents the ocean and one of Belly’s favorite colors, while yellow represents summer. I want viewers to feel happy and think of the feeling when summer starts. This connects to the book because it shows the fun, relaxed mood and gives an idea of what the story is about.

My piece, titled “New Turtle,” is inspired by Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. I was drawn to the scene where Peter Hatcher gets a pet turtle from his friend’s party because it reminded me of my dog Tonka and how we got him before he passed away. This matters to me because it reminds me of my own memories, and I wanted to show how I remember him through this scene.

I used watercolors to create my artwork. I made it a bright, sunny day to show a happy mood. One challenge I faced was sketching and painting the scene, but I worked through it by taking my time. I chose watercolors because they helped me show my emotions.

Through this process, I learned that artwork can show emotions and personality. The window in my piece means there is always an open way to do what you want. I want viewers to feel happy when they look at my artwork because of the true story behind it. This connects to the book because it shows a meaningful moment that can remind people of their own memories.

My piece, titled “The Rebs House,” is inspired by Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. The part that inspired me was when the main character and his friend are spending time together and getting to know each other better. I was drawn to this scene because it is funny and shows how their relationship grows. This moment mattered to me because it helped me feel more connected to the book and better understand and appreciate it.

I used watercolors and pencil to create my artwork. One technique I used was blending colors with water to create a smooth effect. To reflect the mood of the story, I chose brighter colors to show the happier tone of the scene. One challenge I faced was blending the colors evenly across the paper without leaving brush marks. I worked through this by carefully spreading the paint and adding water to create a fading effect. I chose these materials because the mood of the book feels calm and flowing, but also colorful at times, which is similar to how watercolors behave.

Through this process, I learned that art takes time and cannot be rushed if you want it to turn out well. The colors represent how the story can become more lively and meaningful over time. I want viewers to feel happy when they look at my artwork and understand that not all books involving religious ideas are boring or dull. This connects to the book because it shows how meaningful and engaging the story can be.

My art piece, titled Lone Wolf, is inspired by A Wolf Called Wander. This part of the book inspired me because the character is a skinny, starving wolf who struggles to survive, but eventually gets food from a raven and becomes strong enough to keep moving on. This matters to me personally because I have a friend who is struggling, and it reminds me that she will get through it and that hard times do not last forever.

For my art piece, I created the background using watercolors and then used Sharpies to add details to the grass and the wolf. I used texture to make the wolf look more realistic and alive. One challenge I faced was figuring out how to make the wolf and the mountains, but Mrs. Tassler helped me work through it. I chose these materials to give the piece more character and make it feel like the trees, grass, and even the wolf could almost jump off the paper.

There were many things I learned while making this piece, like how to give a wolf and a tree more dimension. The colors in my piece have meaning behind them. I made the mountains dark and the grass bright to show the journey of life—you may go through rough times, but they do not last forever, and happiness can come again. When people look at my artwork, I want them to feel emotion and be able to see how much the wolf has gone through. I want viewers to feel like they are in the story and can feel the emotions in the painting. This connects to the book because it shows the hardships the wolf goes through and how he finds the strength to survive.