master's degree

Concept, Technique and Illustration

So this class may have only three projects, but they were intense. There was a lot of research and trial and error throughout each project. I think the children’s book illustration really shows my process and how I take each critique and pushing myself with each assignment. I loved the flow of this class and the projects. I defiantly feel like I am finding my style and place in the world of illustration because of this class. I feel like I have been given the push that I needed to surprise myself. We are getting there people!

Project 1: Advertisement- Climate Change

Subject Matter: Ocean Pollution

  • References
  • Rough Sketch Idea
  • Final Line work
  • Value Study: 1
  • Value Study: 2
  • Value Study: 3
  • Value Study: 4
  • Value Study: 5
  • Color Study
  • Color Palette
  • Rough Final
  • Final: 1st Draft
  • Final: Final

Project 2: Children’s Storybook Cover

Theme: Medieval Ireland Fae Mythology

  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Rough Ideas
  • Rough Sketch Draft
  • Concept #1
  • Concept #2
  • Concept #2: Value Study
  • Concept #3
  • Concept #3: Revision
  • Concept #3: Revision: Value Study
  • Concept #3: Rework of Linework
  • Concept #3: Rework of Linework: Revision
  • Concept #3: Rework of Linework: Revision: Value Study
  • Concept #3: Rework of Linework: Revision: Color Study
  • Final #1
  • Final #2
  • Final Final

Project 3: CD Cover Art

Subject: SkyDxddy

  • Rough Idea: 1
  • Rough Idea: 2
  • Rough Idea: 3
  • Rough Idea: 4
  • Rough Idea: 5
  • Rough Idea: 6
  • Final Linework #1
  • Final Linework: Final
  • Value Study: 1
  • Value Study: 2
  • Value Study: 3
  • Value Study: 4
  • Final Values
  • Color Study: 1
  • Color Study: 2
  • Color Study: 3
  • Color Study: 4
  • Color Study: 5
  • Color Study: 6
  • Color Study: 7
  • Color Study: 8
  • Final Colors: Red with Black Linework
  • Final Colors: Red with Colored Linework
  • Final Colors: Blues with Black Linework
  • Final Colors: Blues with Colored Linework
  • Final: Final

Head Drawing

Well what can I say about this class? It was about what you think it was about, portraiture. We started out very basic and working on light and shadow and how it works within the facial features. The last four projects we used soft pastels (for three) and oil paints (for one). The soft pastels were fun, but it was a lot of layer building and a huge mess. And I rediscovered why I loath oil paints again. This was defiantly a fun class and really informative.

The Visual Elements of a Story

This class was one big assignment. It is basically all the steps that an illustrator makes to create a story for a book, game, movie, or what ever they are assigned to do. I decided to go ahead with choosing Alice in Wonderland for this project. Alice in Wonderland is my all-time favorite story. I have read it at least a dozen times. I thought for this project I would go for more of a fantasy horror theme. I wanted to dive deeper into the psychology of the tale. I wanted to include reasons for why Alice goes to Wonderland, why she has all these philosophical debates, and all the questions that arise about who she is and what she wants. I am leaning more towards childhood trauma and how she dissociates to Wonderland to feel safe. So there is going to be a lot of symbolism and mental health motifs. What do you guys think? Should I continue this project?

  • Assignment #1: Homer Study
  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Thumbnails #1
  • Thumbnails #2
  • Structural Props
  • Inorganic Props
  • Organic Props
  • Alice Idea #1
  • Alice Idea #1
  • Queen of Hearts Idea #1
  • Queen of Hearts Idea #1
  • Hatter Idea #1
  • Hatter Idea #1
  • Cheshire Idea #1
  • Chester Idea #1
  • Alice Idea #2
  • Queen of Hearts Idea #2
  • Caterpillar
  • Cheshire Idea #2
  • Character Size Chart
  • Alice: Expressions
  • Alice: Action Poses
  • Alice: Action Poses
  • Alice: Action Poses
  • Thumbnails Part 2: #1
  • Thumbnails Part 2: #2
  • Thumbnails Part 2: #3
  • Thumbnails Part 2: #4
  • Final Scene #1: Lighting Studies
  • Final Scene #2: Lighting Studies
  • Final Scene #1: Lighting Studies
  • Final Scene #2: Lighting Studies
  • Final Scene #1: Color Studies
  • Final Scene #2: Color Studies
  • Final Scene #1: Color Studies
  • Final Scene #2: Color Studies
  • Assignment #13: Sketch Book Studies
  • Assignment #13: Sketch Book Studies
  • Assignment #13: Sketch Book Studies
  • Assignment #13: Sketch Book Studies
  • Character Painting V1
  • Character Painting V2
  • Final Scene #1: Value Choice
  • Final Scene #1: Color Choice
  • Final Scene #1: Linework V1
  • Final Scene #1: Final Linework
  • Final Scene #1: Flat Color
  • Final Scene #1: Shading
  • Final Scene #1: Final
  • Final Scene #2: Flat Color
  • Final Scene #2: Final
  • Project Board: #1- Scenes
  • Project Board: #2- Characters
  • Project Board: #3: Other

150 Years of American Illustration

This class was a more in-depth look at the history of American Illustration. We started with the Combat Artists of the American Civil War to the Modern Digital Age. I thought I would share with you my research papers if you guys wanted to see a little bit of the things I learned. Each paper as a Work Cited page if you would like to continue on in your own personal learning. I hope you found a new artist /or style that sparks inspiration for you!

2_2_SuzannaEdwards_PropagandaDownload
4_2_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyResearchDownload
6_2_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyResearchDownload
10_2_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyResearchDownload
10_2_Images_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyResearchDownload
12_2_SuzannaEdwards_ReseachLegacyDownload
12_2_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyImagesDownload
14_2_SuzannaEdwards_FinalEssayDownload
14_2_SuzannaEdwards_FinalEssayImagesDownload

Please feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation. I love talking about history and learning new things.

*Please Note: I do not own any of the images. All images have a work cited too. Sharing my research papers are meant to educate and to inform. Thank you.*