Layout designs

Francesca Hannah Veal Development, Project Four, Research , ,

Before I start my storyboard I did some research in some different ways some children’s picture books have laid out their text and images.

The design layout that most appealed to me was the Winnie the Pooh designs. I like these because the images are purposefully  created to look as if they have been hand drawn, with the text placed around the images in the blank spaces. By placing the text almost ‘wrapped around’ the image I think it closely links them together, reinforcing the warm, family-orientated, comforting appeal the Winnie the Pooh books aim to create. In my storyboard I will use the books as inspiration for my layout.

First Draft Sketches

Francesca Hannah Veal Development, Experiments, Project Four , , , , , ,

With a general idea for the theme, storyline and synopsis of my picture book, I began some sketches of characters and objects.

As I am not the best artist in the world, I thought logically about my drawings and decided to draw half of each character, so both sides would look identical. I may later decide to draw some more characters and/or versions of my characters so they can appear more than one in a different pose, but for now I want to experiment with some of these.

Now scanned in, I can start adding colour using the paint brush tools in Photoshop, and experiment watching YouTube tutorials on how to make these characters look more realistic.

Storyline and Synopsis

Francesca Hannah Veal Development, Project Four , , , , ,

I have been working on developing my storyline and synopsis so I can begin with my planning and storyboarding.

Here is the PDF version which is easier to read: Storyline and Synopsis

Storyline and Synopsis

I have decided on a storyline, and split the lines into the six pages I will have in my book.

I used the website WritingForChildrenAndTeens.com for help on writing my synopsis.

I sent this document to my tutor to get feedback, to make any final amendments before I start creating my storyboard.

Research into Bee Characters

Francesca Hannah Veal Project Four, Research , ,

I searched the internet for images of bee’s in books, films and just examples of animated/cartoon bees.

The Bee Movie

Cartoon Bees

Winnie the Pooh Bees

 

From my research I have found that the drawing/creation of a bee character needs to be simplistic and not over complicated – which is to my benefit as I am not the best at drawing. It needs to be essential that I have a black outline, even if it is very thin, around my bee’s to make the yellow body and white wings stand out against my white background.

I need to experiment drawing out my characters, but I think I will be scanning these into Photoshop and creating them using the brush tools and paint tools. I also need to start thinking about my backgrounds, and how I want the front cover to look.

Picture Book: Initial Ideas

Francesca Hannah Veal Development, Project Four , , ,

I am in the stage of coming up with a storyline/synopsis, themes, characters and titles for my book.

Theme – Conflict within Teamwork  – it is always best when we work together as a team

Storyline/Synopsis Ideas:

1)A male younger bee is intrigued by the outside world and doesn’t want to  work for the rest of his life with his family and friends at the hive. He flies out but end up finding it very lonely and scary, so returns home and appreciates more his family and friends.

2) Two bees go out to collect pollen but get lost. Go up to several characters/animals and say, “have you seen my hive?”

They reply “No, sorry”

eventually, by working together they find their ways home

 

3) What is cooking in the hive today? Honey!

Bee 1  finds a big patch of flowers

Bee 2 joins Bee 1 and does a bee dance to point other bees to the tasty nectar

Bee 3 and Bee 4 collects nectar from a flower and flies back to the hive

Bee 3 and 4 pass the honey to Bee 5 the house bee who puts it in the honeycombs of the hive

Bee 6 then covers the cap with wax to keep the honey safe

at dinner time, Bee 7 (who didnt help out) wants some food. But where what did Bee 7 do to help today? He did not find the flowers, he did not do the bee dance, he did not collect the nectar, he did not put it in the honeycomb and he did not keep it safe. Lazy Bee 7

(Need an outcome)

4) Similar to storyline 3, however instead of the bee not doing any work, he doesn’t do his job properly which means that the honey doesn’t get made and there is no food for everyone.

5) Again, similar to storyline 3 – the other bees are disappointed he didn’t help but still got to eat food so they don’t sit with him – therefore he learns to help out next time.

 Webpages I looked at for research and information: