Portfolio

VISITING ILLUSTRATOR PROGRAMS:

GENERAL PRESENTATIONS:
These are my most popular presentations.

PROGRAMS FOR YOUNGER AUDIENCES
Time-Approx. 40 minutes
Study guides, posters, and illustrator information available prior to the visit.


	Fantastic Creatures lecture

FANTASTIC CREATURES! (grades 2-6)

Created for the Austin Public Library Summer Reading Program, Fantastic Creatures uses myth to teach about art and inspire the joys of reading and books. Click the program name to go to a full description of this program with several photos.

HOWLS, HOOTS, AND HOLLERS! (grades k-3)


"Sing Henrietta, Sing!"

Program begins with drawing demonstrations to show kids how illustrators use reference, research, props, and basic shapes, as well as the imagination, to create art. Tony turns an alligator into a dragon, and then into an Alien. He makes a lion out of triangles and circles, etc.

Tony reads aloud from his colorfully illustrated book, 'Sing Henrietta, Sing!", a comical picture-book which centers around a friendship between neighbors, George and Henrietta. Their vegetable garden is the talk of the town, but Henrietta's voice keeps everyone at a distance. When she sings to her vegetables, she sings in howls and screeches! Children help the read along by howling and singing at various intervals in the story. They also hear a recording of actual folksongs and 'hollers' that were used as communication nearly a century ago in our own country.

Special needs: slide projector for larger audiences
* Smaller groups for Kindergarten classes are suggested. Pleaded!

BRING A DRAGON TO LIFE!


	Joseph's dragon

	Janet's dragon

	Katherine's dragon

	Bobby's dragon

(younger audience version: grades 1-3)

No other mythical creature fascinates as much as the Dragon, and none is so widely dispersed throughout world cultures. Tony uses the dragon to show the importance of the Character in a story. He begins with drawing types of Dragons from all over the world, while simultaneously telling of the folklore of each, the Ethiopian Dream Dragon, The Midgard Serpent, the Chinese Yung, and more, all are used to spark the imagination and show children drawing and research skills. Then they collaborate by helping the illustrator develop a unique Dragon character based on the kids' ideas and suggestions. The classes are left with a large Dragon picture they helped create, a worksheet on making a Dragon using basic shapes, and easy to use stencils to help kids in the drawing process.

(See kids' art from this program)
Special needs: Easel

*Posters/bookmarks are given to classes, but additional cost may occur for larger audiences ($50 per 350 students.)

PROGRAMS FOR MIDDLE GRADES
TIME:-Approx. 45 Minutes
Study guides, posters, and illustrator information available prior to the visit.

HOW TO MAKE AN ALIEN (grades 4-8)


Robin's alien

Bob's alien

Brandon's alien

The I Was A Sixth Grade Alien is a comical 12 book series written by author, Bruce Coville. It took three years to complete and was turned into a TV show by Fox Family Channel. Children learn the entire process of how these books were made, from thumbnails to printed art, and all of the fun things in between, how illustrators use references like photos and props, how creating 'sets' and alien clothing helped bring the drawings to life.
But every great work of fantasy has it's base in reality. In order to truly bring characters to life, research included the brief study of REAL alien life, and the forms it could take. That study led to the wonders of our own planet.
Tony tells how a trip to a rainforest helped the author and illustrator create an alien world! Imagination is combined with science and good research skills. Children learn about the possibilities of life in the universe by taking a closer look at the diversity in the world around them. In what environments can life survive? In what many ways can it evolve? What could it look like? Examples are given and discussed, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Teachers are left with a study guide and a 'How-to' sheet for kids to make their own aliens and environments, using imagination, science, and the research skills discussed.

(see kids' art from this presentation in larger format)
Special Requirements: Slide Projector

BRING A DRAGON TO LIFE (4-7th grade version)


	Dragons from various cultures

	Kids see texture & color in live snake for reference

No other mythical creature fascinates as much as the Dragon, which is found in myth and folklore throughout the world. The program begins with a drawing demonstration of Dragons from various cultures, the Midgard Serpent, the Ethiopian Dream Dragon, and more. Kids get to see a wonderful 'dragon skull' and are told an accompanying story. They see demonstrations on how to draw dragons from basic shapes, from reference and research, how to draw scales, and the importance of texture in art, how using your senses can help, how to add a heart and personality to a Dragon character, and above all, they learn the importance of a child's imagination.
A brief Q&A session follows.
Teachers are given a study guide and kids are left with a small booklet on how to make their own Dragons. Some teachers also have their students write a story about the Dragon that they have created, or tie-in with other studies of medieval times or myth.

(see kids art from this presentation)

Note: These programs can be done in a day, but many of the schools have me come back for two and three day visits. For those days, I individually help the kids in the drawing and research processes. Many schools also have an Alien or Dragon drawing contest, which a member of the staff or I judge. Autographed books, or Alien and Dragon posters are given as prizes. I also have color bookmarks available for both programs, but the cost is extra after the initial 200 or so. ($50 per 350 students)

PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL
AND COLLEGE GRADES

WHAT IS A PICTURE BOOK?

Through example, students gain an insight into the definition, history, and power of the artform and educational tool known as a 'Picture-Book". The basics of the business are discussed briefly, it's qualities and possibilities as a career choice, the children's book portfolio, marketing your work, etc.. This is followed by a slide show detailing the entire process of illustrating a book- character development, layout, composition, pace and mood of the book, the illustrators relationship with the author, editors, and how illustrators fit their personal style with the mood and the spirit of the narrative. A very brief Q&A session follows.

*This is a detailed overview of the entire business, ideally it should be completed in two periods or on two separate school days, however, a basic "nuts and bolts" program can be given in one period.

SCIENCE FICTION ART:
THE MAKING OF I WAS A SIXTH GRADE ALIEN!

This twelve-book series, written by renowned author, Bruce Coville, took three years to complete and launched a TV show on Fox Family Channel. The entire process is outlined for the students- the illustrator's relationship with the author and editors, all aspects of the business, deadlines, payment and contracts, as well as the illustration process, in full detail from start to finish, the importance of character development, creating a setting, layout and composition, storyboards, thumbnails, roughs and final artwork. Research, reference, and drawing skills are discussed.

HOW TO CREATE A CHILDREN'S BOOK PORTFOLIO

Used for classes of art students, this program focuses on the specialized portfolio, created specifically for the children's book field.
What styles or subject matter are needed to obtain picture-book work? This gives students an early idea of what may be expected in the wonderful field of book illustration, and what they should be practicing now.
Tony tells what should be in your portfolio, ways to design your portfolio for maximum effect, what publishers are looking for, and what they don't want to see.
Self-promotion is also discussed, making a portfolio trip to a publishing house, how to market your work, The Pro's and Con's of children's book illustration, and what to expect in this highly competitive and incredibly fulfilling career.