Step 1: Choose a favourite song, and pick one verse to illustrate
Step 2: Brainstorming: use various brainstorming techniques to create a list of relevant imagery to use in the illustration. It is important to consider a colour palette at this stage as well as dimensions and media.
Step 3: Research: do some background research about the song, the band, and allusions/imagery referenced to in the verse. Compile visual reference material for all the imagery chosen in Step 2.
Step 4: Thumbnail Sketches (visual brainstorming)
Step 5: Experimentation: media exploration/ Rough Sketch
Step 6: Final Sketch/ Final Work
Step 7: Presentation, Group Critique and Reflection.
Here's an example, using a piece that I made a few years ago, based on the Grateful Dead song Jack Straw (words by Robert Hunter, music by Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia).
The verse that I chose to illustrate:
Leaving Texas,
Fourth day of July
Fourth day of July
Sun so hot, clouds so low
The eagles filled the sky
Catch the Detroit Lightning
Out of Santa Fe
Out of Santa Fe
The Great Northern out of Cheyenne
From sea to shining sea
The Final Sketch:
The Final Work:
The final sketch was done with pigment liners on hot press paper. The sketch was then scanned and coloured in Photoshop.
See more examples of this project in an ongoing series of illustrated Grateful Dead songs here: patbutlerillustration.com.
What I like about this project in the classroom is that it offers a way for any student to get involved, inspired and excited about creating a visual representation of their favourite song.
What I like about this project in the classroom is that it offers a way for any student to get involved, inspired and excited about creating a visual representation of their favourite song.
- Patrick
