Jackson Primary School, Atlanta, Georgia
This afternoon I spoke to about 330 kindergarten and first grade students at Jackson Primary School in Atlanta, Georgia. The students were divided in to four groups:
K 11:45-12:15
K 12:20-12:50
1st 12:55-1:25
1st 1:30-2:00
My visit was sponsored by the Jackson Primary PTA as part of their fine arts program, so today’s presentations focused specifically on illustrating picture books. Although each presentation was only thirty minutes, I packed in lots of great information about…
Storyboards, miniature “practice” books (a.k.a “dummy” books), and final art.
Using colored pencils, watercolor paint, cut-outs, collages, and/or real objects in art.
Artists research the animals or settings they want to draw by checking out books from the library and using video or digital cameras to take pictures.
I also shared different drafts of my drawings. Students saw firsthand that sometimes shapes and colors do not look right the first time I draw it. I draw and redraw the pictures then I test each picture on my audience, both children and adults. If my audience does not understand the picture, I draw it again. Practice, practice, practice!
Ms. Webb (pictured left) in front of the beautiful murals in the Jackson Primary Library.
Many thanks to the librarian, Teresa Webb, for investing so much time preparing the students for my visit. Ms. Webb read Tiny Snail, Polliwog, and Sea Horse, run! to the children. Thank you Jackson Primary PTA for inviting me to your school!
Tammy Carter Bronson 