Ghost trio critique! (follow up to copyright)
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This is a follow up to my copyright issues post here:
I have now done a round of thumbnails for all three ghost stories, and my favorites are in the image below.The 3 middle grade novels (light spoiler alert) are:
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Temple Alley Summer. (Set in Japan) The scene is from the beginning, when Kazu, from the second floor, sees the ghost, Akari, leave his house at night. The description of the house is fairly clear. It's more a matter of angles.
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The Elephant's Girl. (Set in the US midwest) The scene is from the climax of the story. Everyone is sheltering in the elephant barn at a zoo during a tornado. The roof has come off and the elephants are protecting the people. Lex, the blonde girl, is yelling at the wind (she has good reasons). In the middle of the chaos, a ghost walks in, unaffected by the storm and holding the key to a mystery. The hand in 1b belongs to the ghost, who is described as reaching out to Lex. I need help narrowing these down, please. My current faves are 1, 2, 4, and 5.
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Ophie's Ghosts (set in 1920s Pittsburg, especially in the Black community): 12yr old Ophie is at a sweet shop eating an ice cream with her friend Penelope (older). But when she sees their reflections in the window, Ophie is startled to recognize Clara, a light-skinned ghost, instead of Penelope.
Do you have favorites either individually, or as a trio? My criteria for now are angles, storytelling, and perhaps value. I still need to do character sketches and will work out the kinks in the drawing. I want the three to look good together but also want good storytelling for each.
Also, I would be happy if anyone wants to post reference on a) a reflection from inside a shop at night, and b) any corrections on the cultural particulars, especially rambling 20th C. Japanese houses. I can find reference for 1920s Black women, but younger girls are harder to find. For example, Ophie has braids, but what kind?
These will be black and white, for my middle grade portfolio.
Thank you for any help!
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@LauraA are you thinking these would be covers or something more like chapter header illustrations?
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@Griffin Hi! They are interior illustrations, either half page or full page.
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My top picks are 1a, 5b, and 2c
I would consider giving 5b some perspective thought since it’s just straight on. Just the slightest bit of 1 point perspective could help
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@Griffin Thank you! The drawing will definitely get a rework. One of my personal objectives these days is to spend more time in thumbnails/storytelling and only when I am sure of the idea, go to precise drawing, so as not to have to rework finished illustrations--unfortunately it happens too often!
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My favorites are 1a, 4b, and 2c. They all have interesting angles and I feel like they are conveying the story well.
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@LauraA Wow, these are all really strong. You can't go wrong with any of these, but if I had to choose... for the first story, 2a and 3a make a nice sequence, and I really like 1a as a standalone. For the second story, I like 5b, being able to see the whole elephant in a protective stance over the kids. For the third story, what a cool idea. Love the legs of the two girls in 1c, as well as having the strong contrast of the girl on the right against the white background. Then 3c would be my second choice. I like 2c, as well, for the added atmosphere, but it almost looks like they're next to an arched opening into another room rather than a mirror.
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@Johanna-Kim and @kirsten-mcg Thank you for your feedback! I have been out of town for a while and so just saw it today.