John Abbott Nez School & Library Visits Inspiring Kids About Books & Art. A classroom visit by a children's book illustrator & author about how books are made.
School & Classroom visits show students how picture-books are created... from the idea to the final book. With all the reductions in school art programs, I think it's unfortunate that the skills learned in making artwork have been left behind. I show kids the techniques I use when I create illustrations, using some simple rules and tricks to help anyone draw better. I show the techniques I use to create a drawing from a blank page... it's really not all that mysterious if you know the right steps to take.	Visit my online portfolio to see my books and tour the studio... click below
	Making books & artwork fun & inspiring I think children of all skill levels can be good artists. It's unfortunate when students give up on art because they think they can't draw. Perspective and realism are only a small part of what art is. I think it's important to resist the discouragement children feel when they think that their art isn't good enough. Picasso said it took him a lifetime to learn how to draw like a child. Another famous painter once said 'almost any drawing is more interesting than a perfect photograph'. Kids should never think their art isn't good just because it doesn't look realistic. Children can return to their classrooms with a better idea of how to proceed with making illustrations and books of their own stories.
How do all those picture books get made? How can you make books with a computer? Some of the topics I cover are: * Making books from blank page to the printed volume. * Drawing... everyone can be an artist! * Cartooning vs. realistic drawing * The stages of making a book. * Editorial changes... doing things over! * Who needs books when there's computers? * A picture is worth1,000 words... it's true! * Licensed Characters ~ Who draws Big Bird? * Drawing Animals * Why everyone has a story to tell * Ideas for books children can make as gifts * Why art is cool! * Comptuer graphics* * What life is like as a book illustrator
	* Sessions: Usually my presentations last around an hour for each session and focus on creating illustrations to go with stories. Maximum of 4 sessions a day. * Books: I explain how books are put together from the blank page to the printed book, sharing rough layouts, first sketches, how type & art relate. I share ideas for books that students might make. * Art: I do drawing demonstrations of simple art techniques that can help anyone to draw better. I show how a book begins from rough sketches and progresses to a finished dummy. I talk about developing characters and how the editorial process works to come up with the final book. * Computers: I also cover various technical and computer related aspects of making digital artwork. * Locations: My school visits usually are limited to schools in the nearby Seattle area. Exceptions are always possible.
My rates are standard for school visits and depend on the circumstances. I usually visit schools in the Seattle metropolitan area. So please e-mail me with questions if you're interested!