John Nez School & Library Visits A classroom visit about artwork & how books are made
A fun & entertaining classroom visit brings the craft of picture book production to students of all ages. * 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 aspects of making books.	Visit my online portfolio, meet me, see my books and tour the studio... click below
	I try to inspire & encourage children to make artwork With all the cutbacks in school art programs, I think it's a shame that the joy of making artwork has been lost along the way. I show kids how I draw and explain some simple rules and tricks to help anyone draw better. I show the secrets 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. I think most kids are great artists, it's just that some of them give up if they can't draw realistic perspective. Somehow they get the idea that they can't draw. Picasso said it took him 50 years to learn to draw like a child, so I say kids should never think their art is crummy just because it doesn't look realistic like a photograph. Children can return to their classrooms with a better idea of how to proceed with making books of their own stories.
How do all those picture books get made? Topics I cover are: * Making books from blank page to the printed volume. * Drawing... everyone can be an artist! * Cartooning vs. realistic drawing * Comptuer graphics* * What life is like as a book illustrator * 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! * Note: I can also demonstrate computer graphic techniques for making artwork, but would require access to a computer system , ideally with a wacom pen and photoshop.
My rates are competitive and negotiable depending on circumstances. I visit schools in the Seattle metropolitan area. So please e-mail me with questions if you're interested!