From Storyboard to Surface:

Exploring the Art of Illustration

In this project, students stepped into the shoes of professional book illustrators to discover how a narrative travels from a simple idea to a finished page. By analyzing the drafting and "dummy book" phases of the industry, they learned that great illustrations are the result of a deliberate, multi-step creative process. Taking a cue from the iconic work of Eric Carle, students selected their favorite books as a foundation, reimagining classic stories through a lens of bold color and expressive geometry.

To capture the tactile energy of Carle’s masterpieces, the young artists experimented with tempera paint and the historical sgraffito technique. By applying multiple layers of pigment and then skillfully scratching through the wet surface with various tools, they revealed hidden colors beneath, creating the rich, complex textures of fur, feathers, and foliage. This hands-on exploration allowed students to move beyond flat painting, resulting in a vibrant gallery of works that celebrate both the craft of professional illustration and the enduring power of their favorite stories.

WORDS OF NONSENSE

BY RYLEE

My piece, titled “Words of Nonsense,” is inspired by The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak. The silly mood encouraged me to use words from the book along with bright colors. This book matters to me because it is a core memory from my childhood.

In my piece, I used paint, glue, markers, and colored construction paper. For the background, I scraped greys and whites onto the paper. I painted the words on construction paper and scraped designs into the paint. On the back, I wrote the words backward and cut them out before gluing them onto the background. After placing all the words, I used markers to add lines around them for emphasis. One challenge I faced was writing the words backward, but I worked through it by carefully planning each letter. I chose these materials because they match the upbeat and silly mood of the book.

Through this process, I learned that everything does not need to be perfect. The bright colors represent happiness and reflect the playful tone of the story. I want viewers to feel joyful and lighthearted when they look at my piece. This connects to the book because the colorful words and playful design recreate the same silly, energetic feeling the story gives its readers.

THEIR STORY, REGRETTING YOU

BY JAYCEE

My artwork, titled “Their Story, Regretting You,” is inspired by Regretting You by Colleen Hoover. This book inspired me because it explores love and hardships. The characters show that you can still love someone even during difficult moments and that forgiveness is possible. This mattered to me personally because it reminded me to continue loving people even when times are tough.

I used colored paper and paint to create the trees and the people. To reflect the mood of the story, I chose bright colors to represent happiness and love. One challenge I faced was drawing the bodies of the characters. I made the skin using paper and paint, but it took time to make it look like they were hugging. I solved this by practicing and adjusting my design until it looked right. I also layered the bushes to make them appear fuller and more realistic.

THE BOYFRIEND

BY CAMERON

In this piece, inspired by the book The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden, I chose the scene that stood out to me the most. It shows when the main character is on a really weird date and tries to get away. When she can’t escape, a mystery man steps in, helps her out of the situation, and walks her home. This moment inspired me because it shows that she learned to be more careful and thoughtful about who she trusts.

I used paper, paint, and stick glue to create this piece. For the paint, I used red, blue, purple, and grey. For the paper, I used brown, yellow, black, green, pink, white, and blue. I used red paper with red paint for the buildings, with lines to add detail. Yellow paper was used for the windows and streetlights, brown for the sidewalk, green for the grass, and black for the poles. I used blue and pink for the clothing, and tan, black, blue, and white for the faces. I chose these colors because they match the mood and setting of the scene.

I want the viewer to feel the fear and tension from this moment in the story. The dark night sky, made by mixing blue and purple, represents the scared and uneasy feeling of the character. This connects to the book because it shows how dangerous and uncertain the situation felt. I also connected to this moment because I have learned from my own experiences to think carefully before making decisions.

monkey in a cage

BY BRYSON H

My favorite book is The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. My piece, titled “Monkey in a Cage,” is inspired by the scene where Ivan is alone in his cage. I was drawn to this moment because it is very sad to see him isolated. This scene mattered to me because it shows how lonely and trapped he feels, and I wanted to explore different ways to show that sadness.

I used paint and pencil tracing to create this piece. The techniques I used include shading, texture, and layering. One challenge I faced was freehand tracing the image, but I worked through it by carefully adjusting my lines as I went. I chose these techniques to help create the sad mood of the scene.

Through this process, I learned how to use texture to show different moods in art. The colors in my piece help represent sadness and loneliness. I want viewers to feel the same sadness that Ivan feels when they look at my work. This connects to the book because it shows the emotional impact of Ivan being trapped and alone.

diary of the wimpy kid

BY KARSEN

The book I chose is Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Cheese Touch by Jeff Kinney. I chose this book because of its funny and playful mood. The scene I focused on shows kids playing on the playground when one kid touches the moldy cheese. Suddenly, everyone becomes scared and runs away, calling it “The Cheese Touch.” This moment stood out to me because it shows how something small can turn into a big deal, and I enjoy humorous situations like this.

I used paint, paper, and glue to create this piece. I also used texture to add personality and depth to my artwork. Texture was my favorite part because it makes the piece more interesting to look at and gives it a more realistic feel. One challenge I faced was keeping track of all the small pieces I used. To solve this, I stayed organized and carefully placed each piece as I worked.

Through this process, I learned that texture and color are important in expressing ideas in art. I want viewers to feel both humor and a little bit of tension when they look at my piece. The bright blue sky represents joy, while the dark grey ground represents tension. This connects to the book because the scene is both funny and slightly stressful for the characters at the same time.

NEVER THE ROSES

BY JENNA

My book illustration is inspired by Never the Roses by Jennifer Lambert. One of the main characters, Oneria, is an oneiromancer, meaning she can control dreams. In this scene, she enters a dream to go to her enemy’s house and write him a letter. This moment inspired me because it shows the “enemies to lovers” dynamic. It mattered to me because I enjoy stories where characters begin with tension and hatred but eventually develop love. I wanted to show the mystery of the letter and the hidden emotions between the characters.

I used brown paper to begin my project, along with a stencil and red, black, and gold tempera paint to create the walls. For the floor, I used coffee to stain the paper and make it look like a shaded wooden floor. I used more brown paper and paint for the bookshelf and carpet. One challenge I faced was drawing Oneria. I solved this by working on one part of her body at a time to make sure the placement looked correct.

Through this process, I learned that mistakes can be turned into something useful in art. The dark library represents the power and control of the enemy, while also creating a sense of mystery. I want viewers to feel a mix of power, hidden love, and curiosity when they look at my piece. This connects to the book because it reflects both the tension and the deeper emotions between the characters.

lsj

BY BRYSON L

My piece, titled “LSJ,” is inspired by The Island by Natasha Preston. I was drawn to the scene where the main character comes through the fog and finally sees the island. This is a very important moment in the book. I wanted to show the emotion and sense of gratitude in this moment, along with the mix of nervousness and excitement she feels as she arrives. The fog and atmosphere help create an ominous feeling, which I tried to capture in my artwork.

To create this piece, I started with a base layer of faded black and white paint to form a cloudy background. I used a sponge to blot the paint and shape the clouds. Then, I painted the water using a dark blue-black color. I painted another sheet of paper black and used a stencil to create twisted lines. I used that paper to build the island and the roller coasters. After assembling all the pieces, I glued them down to complete the artwork.

Through this process, I learned how much color can affect the mood of a painting. Before this project, I didn’t fully understand how color and shape could change the feeling of a piece. I learned that darker colors can make a setting feel more intense and match the mood of a scene. I want viewers to feel the same sense of mystery and anticipation when they look at my artwork. This connects to the book because it reflects the emotional impact of arriving at the island for the first time.

44-22

BY DAMIAN

My artwork is inspired by the song 4422 by the musical artist Drake. It shows calmness and sympathy. The colors represent a galaxy. I say that because they music sound like it would be in the galaxy along with the words. I did a man on a phone call to represent the numbers in that song that more than it seems. I did this project because I feel like it almost represents me. I’ve problem I ran into was the cutouts for the background. I solved it by using stencils.

lonesome dove

BY AVERY

My favorite book is Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. My artwork is inspired by the part when the characters cross into Montana territory after a long journey. This scene mattered to me because it represents the end of their journey and shows that they never gave up after all the hardships they faced along the way.

I used texture tools to make the paint have waves and look more realistic. I also made the setting sunny and green to show how the characters feel happy and relieved to finally reach Montana. One challenge I faced was cutting out the characters, but I worked through it by carefully shaping each piece. I created layers by cutting out hills and using texture tools to add depth to the scenery.

Through this process, I learned how to use texture tools and create scenery. The hills represent the rough Montana terrain, while the bright colors show that everything is finally going right. I want the viewer to feel happy and relieved that the characters made it to the end of their journey. This connects back to the book because the characters are excited and proud to finally reach Montana after everything they went through.

THE LAST THING I REMEMBER

BY BEAU

Over many years of reading, The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan has been my favorite book. My piece, titled “The Darkest Run,” is inspired by the scene where the main character is running from shooters and ends up deep in a dark forest. I was drawn to this moment because of the gloomy scenery and intense mood. This scene mattered to me because it helped me create a clear mental image for my artwork and explore how setting can create emotion.

I used grey, black, and white paint to create the dark and eerie forest. These colors helped show the scary and suspenseful mood of the scene. One challenge I faced was learning how to use new painting techniques, especially when creating the dead trees. I worked through this by practicing control with my brush and layering my paint to build the forest. I included the bushes to represent the moment when the character hides while being chased.

Through this process, I learned how to control my brush and use color to create mood. The person running through the forest represents the main character, and I painted him black to show how he is trying to stay hidden. I want viewers to feel suspense and tension when they look at my piece. This connects to the book because it captures the moment when the character is being chased and must hide to survive.

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