Any views expressed within media held on this service are those of the contributors, should not be taken as approved or endorsed by the University, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University in respect of any particular issue.
Alfie Onion is here! Launched last week at the Edinburgh Bookshop, this is one of the many books of children’s fiction and adventure written by our very own Vivian French. We would like to congratulate her and wish Alfie all the best!
We are extremely lucky to have Viv as a writing tutor at ECA, where she supports our students in developing their own authorial language and storytelling skills, which benefit their picture books projects, comics or illustrated poetry.
As one of the initiators of ‘Picturehooks’, a Scottish Picture Book Illustrator’s mentoring scheme, Viv also does much to support the development of Illustrators after graduation, and has contributed much to the appreciation and awareness of picture books as an art form.
Viv’s great enthusiasm is not only valued by ECA’s Illustration department but was also recently recognised by Her Majesty when Viv was appointed an MBE for services to literature, literacy, illustration, and the arts. We’re proud of you Viv, keep rocking!
On Saturday students and staff of Illustration travelled to Glasgow to attended this year’s Picture Hooks Conference at the Centre of Contemporary Arts. Now in its third year, the conference gives illustrators the opportunity to hear from leading experts from the world of children’s publishing.
There was an excellent range of speakers involved in both the making and publishing of picture books who shared their valuable knowledge with the audience.
Tessa Strickland, co-founder and Editor at Barefoot Books spoke about the things she would like to see in an applicants portfolio. “Can you tell a visual narrative? There needs to be a visible transformation, a character that changes throughout the story – there are people who are starters and people who are finishers. You need to be a starter and a finisher.” She also gave some general advice to illustrators who are trying to find their feet in the world of illustration “Life is short. Become the illustrator you want to be!”
Joel Stewart, award winning author and illustrator of over 20 books, spoke about the synthesis of digital applications and hand drawing and how the two seemed to increasingly blend together seamlessly within his work. It was interesting to hear Joel speak about how he considered himself more of an observational than an imaginative draughtsman and how he felt the teaching of academic drawing was an important part of Illustration training.
Andrea MacDonald, Executive Editor for Picture Books fromPenguin Random House gave insights in to how picture books work to comfort, challenge and open up new worlds to their audience. She gave advice on how Illustrators can approach publishers and spoke about the pressure author/illustrators can face when making a second book after a first successful one had been published.
Nicki Field, head of illustration at Jelly Agency, shared her experiences on the many other opportunities for illustrators to sell and license their work. As a Brighton graduate of Illustration Nicki was able to provide a unique insight based on her diverse background. She suggested that illustrators should define their practice and “work on what you think is you, your niche.” She advised not to set up multiple identities for different aspects for your work (just imagine they would all be called in for meetings at the same time) but instead to “be the same person but channel multiple aspects of your work in different ways” and “to be innovative and to do what you can to keep ahead”. She also spoke about the value of self-initiated work and how small ideas can have a big reach.
We met a lot of established and budding illustrators as well as interesting speakers, each offering a different perspective on the many aspects of the picture book and publishing industry. Altogether this was a very inspiring day for us!
Tessa Strickland, co-founder and Editor at Barefoot Books
Joel Stewart, Illustrator
Andrea MacDonald, Executive Editor for Picture Books from Penguin Random House
Nicki Field, head of Illustration at Jelly Agency
Catherine Lindow, one of last year’s Picture Hooks mentees
Lucy Juckes and Vivien French, initiators of Picture Hooks
ECA Illustration students feeling inspired after the conference
First year illustration students have recently completed their final project of the year. The title of the project was ‘Long Story Short’ and spanned five weeks, with the students experiencing a different form of storytelling each week and visually communicating their responses to these stories.
Week one involved a fantastic session of Scottish tales told by professional storyteller David Campbell. The tales were vivid and imaginative, evoking rich imagery and providing great source material for creating illustrations. The following week we met with Tom Clelland, who sang us some of his own story songs. These ranged from love stories, to dark tales of murder. We changed things up a bit the next week by visiting The National Museum of Scotland with author Vivian French. The students wrote and illustrated some non-fiction pieces in response to the objects we saw. Next the class was encouraged to look to the people close to them for their fourth story. Each student recorded a conversation with a friend or relative, and made images based upon the dialogue that emerged. Finally we allowed an element of chance into finding our stories. Each student went out to sketch people in public places, taking an open-ended statement as a starting point and allowing the people and places they encountered to build the story.
The students embraced the challenges presented by this project and have all produced lovely and interesting work as a result. Each student took a different approach, and the outcomes were displayed in a small exhibition held at ECA. We invited David, Tom and Vivian back to see the work and chat with the students. It was a great way to round off the project, as well as a very good excuse for tea and biscuits.
Today a slightly different kind of life drawing has taken place in the Illustration department. Our studios have been cleared in preparation for the degree show, providing us with lots of space to organise a rather unusual drawing experience for our students.
Our special guests and life models today were Edward the european eagle owl, Bonnie the barn Owl, Percy the peregrine falcon, Kenny the kestrel, Blue the red tailed hawk and Skippy the Australian boobook owl.
Their keeper Archie McCrone introduced us to each bird and its individual character. He spoke about the birds natural habitat, and shared interesting facts about their anatomy and behaviour. Many of our students are involved in character design of both human and animal figures and being given the chance to study this wonderful range of birds from up close was something quite special.
Now in its second year, ‘Bird Day’ has become an annual activity which marks the end of the academic year through a rather fun and at the same time educational event.
Last Wednesday we had the first part of a two day ceramics workshop in the Illustration department, led by two of our artists in residence, Rebecca Brown and Sarah Bissell. Working with stoneware clay, everyone handbuilt whatever they fancied – whether it was inspired by a larger project, a functional piece or by playing with different ideas in order to get used to a new material.
By the end of the class we had created a collection of pieces that included mugs, wall hangings, spoons, dogs, cauldrons and cacti, among a variety of other bits and pieces.
The pieces will be fired this week and on the 23rd the second part of the workshop will take place, which will involve painting and glazing the work before it’s fired for a second time.
During the past eight years we have run the Drawing Book projects with various primary schools in Edinburgh, as well as in Orkney. This has involved tackling a variety of themes in collaboration between art students and school pupils. Animal Characteristics, Feelings, Olympics, Sea Monsters, Opposites and School Meals are but a few of these, and now we have Superheroes.
All of this has been made possible by Vivian French, who has guided us through Drawing Book collaborations, far and wide, with great skill, wisdom and good humour.
Our visits to Wardie Primary School have been a totally inspiring and creative experience for everyone. The children are natural, spontaneous, wise, and good humoured.
To make a connection between art college students and children at the very start of their education and causes us to consider the fundamental values of drawing, thinking, telling stories and picturing things.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh City Council Literacy Department, and the University of Edinburgh have given their support to Drawing Book.
What powers would one wish to have, and how might these be used towards the greater good of mankind? This is the question. We learned the answers and much more besides from the Wardie Superheroes project.
Hello all, I am Andrea, one of ECA’s recent graduates in Illustration and an Artist in Residence.
As a result of frequent visits to my favorite café-bar Joseph Pearce and a few conversations with the owners, my most recent work is up that bar, situated on Elm Row, top of Leith Walk, for the next six months.
Not only will you have a chance to have a look my collages based on south American short stories, and my cocktail screenprints, you will see them all in a very informal ambiance, while having a one of their delicious Swedish cocktails or simply a Gin & Tonic; they’re quite an amazing drinks bar.
You will also learn a bit more on how to make cocktails yourself, possibly meet a few Swedish regulars or Leith locals and hear some great live music – if you go on a Sunday evening.
There will be more pieces going up in the next weeks, so you could go even a few times, which I recommend.
How to get to the bar?
Just cross the North Bridge and then head down in the direction of Leith/the Omn i Center. As soon as you walk past the Omni center continue further down until you reach Elm Row, and Joseph Pearces is right at the corner of that street.
A huge congratulations to 2013 Alumni Maisie Shearring, winner of the 7th edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair – Fundación SM International Award for Illustration.
Maisie was selected from more than 3000 participants from 70 countries, while the judges examined over with 15 thousand works. As the winner, Maisie will be given the task of illustrating a book to be published by the SM Group. The book will be presented at the 2016 edition of the Fair, where Maisie Shearring is also due to hold a personal exhibition of her work. The Bologna Award for Children’s Book Illustration is a highly prestigious prize and an incredible and well deserved achievement.
After studying undergraduate Illustration here with us at Edinburgh College of Art, Maisie underwent an MA in Children’s Book Illustrationat Cambridge School of Art. She has thrived throughout her academic career with her strong sense of style, engaging characters and unique talent for storytelling. In October 2014 Maisie was also selected to be part of the Picturehooks Scheme, with personal mentor Nick Sharratt. We are eagerly awaiting the exhibition of her Picture Hooks work in the National Gallery of Scotland, November 2015 .
The Bologna International Award for Illustration is a fantastic initiative with the aim of encouraging and supporting new talent by bringing the work of young illustrators to the attention of the publishing sector. The panel of Bologna Judges noted that “This young artist has huge potential to evolve and to develop an original voice within the current panorama of illustration”. We couldn’t agree more and cannot wait to see Maisie go from strength to strength in her Illustration Career.
This month, the Edinburgh College of Art Illustration Department is pleased to present Escapade, a collection of works created by students, staff and notable alumni exhibited at the Doubtfire Gallery. We are excited to share our experience of what Illustration means to us as individuals and as a collective.
One of the most exciting aspects of Illustration is the wide-range of media where work can make an impact. The ECA Illustration Programme drives its students to apply their talent across a diverse range of end channels, from books and exhibitions to packaging, digital media and community arts. It is a dynamic and fast paced discipline that pushes the limits of both the artist’s and the viewer’s imagination.
Guided by acclaimed Illustrator and Programme Director Jonathon Gibbs, the course has thrived from its collaborative studio culture. During their time at ECA, students undergo countless tutorials, workshops and critics from the Illustration staff, their peers and successful practitioners, many of whom previously studied at ECA. The exhibition includes works from across all stages of the Illustration Programme’s creative community, from developing fourth year talents and fresh new graduates to the distinguished staff and alumni who inspired them.
All exhibiting Illustrators are currently living and creating work in the city of Edinburgh. Their collection of Illustrations offers a wide variety of themes, techniques and styles, all in celebration of their connection with Edinburgh College of Art.
Make sure to check Escapade out between 11th April – 2nd May. Find more information at the link below:
So this Friday is our LAST professional practice talk of the year! We hope our students have enjoyed the series and will refer to them often throughout their own illustration careers.
This week we will be joined by award winning children’s book illustratorPatrick Benson. Check out some of his work and short bio below. Patrick will also be offering valuable one-to-one tutorials with a selection of our flourishing children’s book illustrators.
Patrick studied classical drawing in Florence, and continued studying Art at Chelsea Art School and St Martin’s School of Art. He worked for a while in the fashion business before embarking on a career as illustrator.
In 1984 he won the Mother Goose Award, given annually to the most promising newcomer in children’s book illustration, for his illustration of William Mayne’s Hob Stories. He gained further acclaim for illustrating Owl Babies, written by Martin Waddell, The MinPins by Roald Dahl and since has illustrated many other titles, including The Little Boat by Kathy Henderson and The Sea-Thing Child by Russel Hoban, both shortlisted for a Kate Greenaway Medal. The Little Boat also won the 1995 Kurt Maschler Award.
As sad as we are to wave farewell to another brilliant year of Professional Practice Lectures, we cannot wait to hear Patrick’s words of wisdom and look forward to the next generation of the Friday Talk Series.
Tessa Strickland, co-founder and Editor at Barefoot Books
Joel Stewart, Illustrator
Andrea MacDonald, Executive Editor for Picture Books from Penguin Random House
Nicki Field, head of Illustration at Jelly Agency
Catherine Lindow, one of last year’s Picture Hooks mentees
Lucy Juckes and Vivien French, initiators of Picture Hooks
ECA Illustration students feeling inspired after the conference
