Introduction to Illustration | Fall

In this introductory course we will cover the fundamental concepts and techniques behind illustration. In the beginning of the semester, students will be given experience in a variety of different mediums including pen and ink, pencil, colored pencil and watercolor. Once students become familiar with the materials, we will create several copies of works by the master illustrators of the past including NC Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, Arthur Rackham, and Garth Williams. Students will then be given a chance to develop their own style by illustrating several short stories and poems.
In the second half of the semester students will enjoy creative freedom in completing projects in their chosen medium. During this time we will also explore the connection between text and image through a final project. The project could take the form of an illustrated children’s book, an illustrated series of poems, or a comic book story. In order to successfully complete the project, students will need to create detailed characters, settings, and explore uses of illustration found in the world around them including album covers, posters, and more. Through demonstrations, personal instruction, and creative exercises, students will explore different subjects/compositions, textures, papers, and application techniques suitable for each unique medium.

Students will need to practice exercises taught in class and may need to work outside of class to complete projects. Along with hands-on studio work, students will participate in regular class critiques, creating a forum for the group to constructively collaborate and discuss creative outcomes. Individual artist statements will be required with most finished pieces of work, giving students another opportunity to articulate their interpretive intent and their understanding of process and design concepts.

Required Materials:
Books and supplies are not included in the purchase of the course.

For Sections with Sarah Silkwood:

Visit the course materials list found here.

For Sections with Samuel Walter:

Any kind of sketchbook (minimum size 8x10in.): We will use these for exercises.
Pad of 11 x 14 white drawing paper (50–80 lb. medium surface), 24 sheets minimum.
Set of colored pencils and/or colored artist markers, 30 count at least.
Set of Graphite Pencils (with various degrees of hardness) See link for example. If you already have drawing pencils that you use, that will do!
Set of black artist pens (Assorted) See link.
Watercolor Set (any brand)
Watercolor paper

Samuel Walter

[email protected]

Samuel Walter received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Haverford College, and a M.M. and M.M.A. from the Yale School of Music. During his time at Yale University Samuel established himself in New Haven as a commissioned portrait and still-life artist. He has been awarded in numerous international and national competitions including the 2022 ARC International Salon competition, the 2022 Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition and the 2021 Portrait Society of America’s Future Generation award. He has also been featured in the International Artist Magazine, The Art of The Portrait Magazine, and the American Art Collector Magazine. Samuel has received portrait commissions from presidents, professors and administration at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Swarthmore College, Haverford College, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. In his portraiture, Samuel tries to emphasize that all are created in the image of God.

Samuel is also a passionate teacher and has provided both art and music instruction for nearly a decade. Teaching art is a wonderful way to open students’ eyes to the beauty of God’s creation all around them: to notice beautiful colors, shapes, lighting and compositions. Art can be an act of worship in which we appreciate what God has created, and imitate Him, the great Artist and Creator.

Sara Silkwood

[email protected]

Sara Silkwood holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Syracuse University. Sara has several years experience teaching in a variety of areas including college level, church-run camps, Classical schools and privately. Currently, Sara works out of her home studio in Houston, Texas where she lives with her great dane-lab mix, Oberon. She spends her free-time backpacking, reading and illustrating her own stories.

Computer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.

High-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.

Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)

Headset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm

Zoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. To download Zoom:

Visit zoom.us/download.
Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
Open and run the installer on your computer.
In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.

Scanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.

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