From the Sketchbook:
Adela Pons
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This CBC series features illustrators sharing their creative process to provide context for their amazing artwork. Our featured artist is Adela Pons, a native of Venezuela and graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Below, Adela Pons takes us through her illustration process for
Spring Babies, a board book in “The Babies in the Park” series.
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“Since the very beginning I knew the project involved 4 books, one book for each season, so each book couldn’t be created in isolation. I had to make sure they would work as a package from every angle. With such limited space and few pages in a board book, illustrating the back of the book can be just as important as any other page.”
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“I wanted to make sure the characters were consistent throughout the whole series so they could be easily recognized by young readers from the first to the last book. I assigned the characters names and personalities, as well—even though they’re not mentioned in the books. This helped me create a personal connection to each of them and it made the process of illustrating the story even more enjoyable! Fun fact: Simón is named and drawn after my own brother!“
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“From thumbnail to final art, the series had very few art changes. I had a clear idea of what I wanted to create, and I discussed it with the art director, editor, and author on a very early stage of the project. This, I believe, is what helped me avoid any drastic changes. Good communication with your art director, editor, and author is essential! “
More of Adela Pons’ finished art can be found in Spring Babies,
featuring a diverse cast of babies having an action-packed day of play in the park and experiencing seasonal occurrences, such as: rain puddles, dandelions, and singing birds.