This task was given in preparation for the visual storytelling module. The task was to produce a wordless picture book for a famous story of our choosing. I wanted to work on a story that I’m passionate about so I chose my favourite book, Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. Brien. Although I’ve read the book multiple times I needed a refresher of the story so I read through notes and summaries of the events. Then I was able to choose what I thought where the 6 key plot points that I could also create interesting and varied illustrations with. These are Timothy’s illness, Mrs Frisby getting advice from the Owl, Mrs Frisby going to meet the rats, the rats explaining their back story, Mrs Frisby escaping Mr. Fitzgerald’s cat and the mice’s freedom.
These are my initial thumbnail sketches for each of the 6 scenes. I gave the scenes each a 1 word title, sickness, advice, secrets, experiment, trapped and freedom. I varied each of the illustrations size and shape as well as compositional arrangement to keep them interesting. I look up any illustrations and visual media for the book that I could find to use as inspiration. The style I chose to go with was a black biro sketchy style. I really enjoy working with this medium and think it’s translates well to book illustrations.
Then I developed the initial sketches to include more detail and finalise the compositions.
These are the first 2 of the finalised images. I’m happy with my choice of style as I was able to get lots of texture and depth with the cross hatched shading. I also think this images represent Timothy’s sickness and Mrs Frisby getting advice from Mr Ages well.
Sickness:
Advice:
Samuel Green Illustration 