Watercolor Illustration

Referencing your value drawing illustration of a fable, myth, or fairy tale, and using what you learned about color theory, paint a full-color illustration in watercolor.

This must be a specific scene from the story that includes:

• interacting figures (i.e. people and/or animal characters)
• environment
• depth
• the indication of a light source

Parameters:

• Size: 9 x 12" or 11 x 14"
• Medium: watercolor on watercolor paper

 Grading Criteria: 

• Improvement of composition from original draft
• Expressiveness
• Narrative Qualities / Clarity of Illustration (tells what's happening)
• Sense of Light
  • Chiaroscuro - light's effect on form
  • Light's effect on color (for example, warm light, cool shadows)
  • Visual drama created by light and shadow
• Sense of Depth
  • Atmospheric perspective through color shifts (intensity/saturation, temperature changes)
• Composition / Design/ Visual Impact
  • Unity/harmony through color
  • Variety
• Craftsmanship/Technical Quality - Detail and Refinement; Range of Values

    Studio Habits of Mind Rubric


To Start:

1. View/study the work of picture book illustrators such as those below. Pay attention to their differences in style, and to how they have used color to direct your attention to certain areas, to create a sense of atmosphere and space, and to create mood. Notice how they've used the watercolor medium to give a sense of light, and to create different effects.
2. Create 2 - 3 color studies based on your rough draft, and considering the color theory concepts you've learned about.
3. Trace your draft onto watercolor paper using a light table, adjusting your drawing as necessary to improve the composition and add details. Use a very light pencil line.

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Color thumbnails by Maurice Sendak for Where the Wild Things Are:

Watercolor illustrations by Maurice Sendak:

​Watercolor illustrations by Jan Brett:

​Watercolor illustrations by Jerry Pinkney:

Watercolor illustrations by Helen Oxenbury:

Watercolor illustrations by Quentin Blake:

Watercolor illustrations by William Steig: