We are absolutely delighted to showcase the final project work of Jonluke McKie, a student on our Illustration Diploma course with tutor Steven Hersey. What a final project it is. Jonluke has created a children’s picture book that stopped us in our tracks. A beautifully conceived story about a little girl named Naz who carries a knot in her chest, an imaginative exploration of the emotions surrounding adoption, identity and belonging. From pencil sketches to colour spreads, the skill on display here is quite something, and we could not be more proud to share it.
We are thrilled to also show Jonluke’s pencil sketches, a full storyboard mapping out the entire book’s visual journey, as well as a series of beautifully rendered colour spreads that show atmosphere and expressive character design. The warm, earthy palette of the family scenes gives way to cooler, moodier blues in quieter emotional moments, and throughout it all, Naz leaps off the page as a character you immediately root for.
Jonluke came to the Illustration Diploma after twenty years working in theatre, bringing with him a performer’s instinct for character and storytelling. It shows in his artwork and creative ideas. We have no doubt that Naz and her pink knot of feelings will find their way onto bookshelves one day, and we will be first in the queue.
Huge congratulations to Jonluke, and our thanks as always to tutor Steven Hersey. If you would like to find out more about our Illustration Diploma, we would love to hear from you.
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