Animation of Tales by Means of Drawings
Anne Catharine Blake, a renowned figure in the world of children's books, comics, and illustrations, continues to captivate readers with her vivid and imaginative works. With a career spanning decades, Blake's creations have brought joy and inspiration to countless young minds.
To bring her stories to life, Blake follows a meticulous workflow. Once a book has a contract, it can take a year or more for the book to appear in print. During this time, Blake works back and forth with the editor and art director for three to six months, depending on the deadlines.
Storyboarding plays a significant role in Blake's process. She creates a set of thumbnails in a storyboard format for her projects, which she calls the downdraft, and sends clean thumbnails with text to the editor or art director for approval. Once the thumbnails are approved, Blake enlarges and sets up an InDesign file of the book or project, often creating it using the job's specs in the creative brief/contract.
Blake's website, annecatharineblake.com, serves as a digital hub for her work, and she can also be found on Instagram. For those interested in pursuing a career in illustration, Blake recommends joining organisations such as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Society of Illustrators in New York to learn about the industry and promote one's work.
Blake's journey as an illustrator began early, inspired by drawing backstage during her father's theatrical work. Her first published book was a comic about grandparents distributed by Senior Wire News Service. Today, she works on two or three projects at a time, moving between them based on deadlines.
In addition to her illustration work, Blake has developed two new courses for the BFA in Illustration program at Sessions.edu: ILL 302 Visual Storytelling and Storyboarding, and ILL 304 Special Topics. These courses reflect Blake's commitment to nurturing the next generation of illustrators.
Currently, Blake is working on an updated version of the comic strip about grandparents as a collection. She has also been inspired by traveling across the United States and Canada by train to create a new series for children in kindergarten to third grade.
As Blake continues to create and inspire, her work remains a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of fostering creativity in young minds.
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Anne Catharine Blake's dedication extends beyond her illustration work, as she also engages in sustainable living by focusing on education and self-development. She recently developed two online courses for the BFA in Illustration program at Sessions.edu, titled ILL 302 Visual Storytelling and Storyboarding, and ILL 304 Special Topics,promoting educational resources that cater to home-and-garden, lifestyle, and sustainable-living.
Anne Catharine Blake's extensive career in children's books and illustrations serves as a valuable source of inspiration for aspiring illustrators. In addition to her official websites, she can be found on various online platforms, including Instagram and educational organizations such as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Society of Illustrators in New York.
Embracing the digital age, Anne Catharine Blake's online courses offer learning opportunities for those interested in expanding their skills in visual storytelling, storyboarding, and illustration, helping to develop a new generation of talented illustrators who embody the lifestyle of creativity and sustainable living.
