BAD Illustrations

"David, make your drawings BAD, and they will be good." The third graders laughed at David LaRochelle. He was talking to them about his techniques for illustrating his work. Using "The Tortoise and the Hare" as a story for the demonstration, he showed the students these two illustrations first and asked them to decide which they liked better and why. They identified the larger hare and tortoise as the best because of the size; it gives the reader more to see about the actual subjects. The characters are big. The second two pieces showed a contrast in action at the finish line, and the students selected the one a sprinting hare and a waving (first place!) tortoise. The third pieces were a study detail.

So, in review, illustrations should be Big, have Action (and expression), and provide Details (though not too many). David proceeded to draw an illustration from one of his creative stories, constantly reflecting aloud and asking for input from the children. They loved watching and helping him make BAD artwork.