Picture Book Artists

Picture Book Artists

Instead of looking at the story told by words in a book, today I’d like to share my appreciation for what the illustrator brings to the telling of a tale, particularly in picture books. Picture books aren’t just for tiny tots. They are for the young at heart and anyone who appreciates good art.

Did you realize that most pages in a picture book begin as full size pieces of artwork? They may be simple or ornate. We often refer to them as “the drawings” in a book, but they are more often full pieces of art in a wide variety of media before they are translated into the book format. Check out the unusual watercolors of Daniel Mackie, the oil paintings of Layne Johnson or the intricate collages of Eric Carle.

When I was in school, I learned that the line of the drawing connects to a person’s intellect while the color of the picture connects directly to a person’s emotions. I enjoy a good line drawing, as in the original Paddington Bear illustrations, but two of my preferences in children’s artwork seem to run in almost opposite directions – either dark oil paintings or very light watercolors. I adore the dark colors of Brian Lies’ Bats at the Library. The illustrations of the library are beautiful and the bats humorous, whether they are playing shadow puppets with the overhead projector, using a computer cord as a lasso to pull a big book off the shelf or making photocopies of themselves.

I also love the simple watercolors of Beatrix Potter. Whether it’s naughty Peter Rabbit in his little blue jacket stealing vegetables from Farmer McGregor or Squirrel Nutkin, who lost his beautiful plumy brown tail for his impudence, the little animals always enchant and delight.

Are there any picture books that have stayed in your memory over the years? Was it the words of the story, the images or both? I highly recommend reconnecting with this art form, whether it’s with a little one to read to or on your own.