This watercolour illustration was created for the first assignment on the Illustrating Children’s Books Diploma – to illustrate a double page for the rhyme ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’. I wanted to create a dream-like atmosphere that would appeal to young children and after sketching out a number of ideas I chose to leave reality behind and trade a stream for clouds.
This illustration is built up of individually painted and cut out pieces, some a simple wash of watercolour and some more detailed. All pieces were arranged on the blue sky background allowing for each layer to be a little proud of the last to create shadows between them.
Thank you to Maggy and Melanie for asking me to share this piece. I can’t wait to get stuck into the next assignment!
Victoria Biggs
Illustrating Children’s Books Diploma
