From the Sketchbook:
Adela Pons
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.
“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.”
“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!“
“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.
