SHORT STORY....Inspiration & Illustration

by Susan Cirigliano

20K5022

Intro: SHORT STORY....Inspiration & Illustration

Using a page from a discarded book my students write a short story, learn about illustration and create a work of art. This activity incorporates visual arts, language arts and recycling. I have done this project with all ages, beginner readers can produce pleasing results as long as they can identify one word. More proficient readers and artists can elaborate and create several pages.

STEP 1: Supplies

The supplies are simply an old discarded book, I like a book printed on a non glossy paper, few drawings or existing illustrations, with fairly large type. a variety of art materials that one can draw or paint with (collage also works ) I have found that cray-pas are not a good medium for this project because they are so soft and difficult to control. A larger base paper and a glue stick.

STEP 2:

Begin by scanning the page for words of interest or something one might enjoy drawing. When a word or two are discovered try to find other words to create an expression or short story. Using a pencil, lightly circle the word giving plenty of space around the chosen phrase. 

STEP 3:

All words should be identified with plenty of space around them

STEP 4:

I cannot express how important it is to allow for as much space as possible around your words of choice. When the illustration begins and paint or crayon or marker or whatever is applied that space around the words shrinks and one must give as much space as possible to begin with. I always explain to my students what they should NOT do, as in the next photo. 

STEP 5:

Now that your short story is selected. use a glue stick to glue the book page to a larger sheet of paper. Do not use a wet glue for this purpose it soaks the paper and will wrinkle the book page. I like to use watercolor paper for my base page, however, any multi purpose paper works well. 

STEP 6:

Begin your illustration. Explain to the students that an illustration is a visual explanation of the words that they have discovered for their short story. It can be an image presented as a drawing, painting, collage or other work of art that is created as a visual representation. I suggest that cray pas or pastels are not used for this activity because they are so soft and difficult to control. 

STEP 7:

Now that the illustration for the short story has ben outlined begin to add color and detail. 

STEP 8:

Watercolors are great for filling in areas, tempera, crayon resist, color pencil, assorted markers , collage, actually anything your students have used and are familiar with (except cray-pas or pastels) can be used to create the illustration. Get creative.

STEP 9:

Continue to add detail

STEP 10:

Rat Face kicked her with a positive attitude

STEP 11:

Biting off the nose is a tragic example of disguise

STEP 12:

Horror had met with the young man

STEP 13:

5 people in their bermuda shorts had great fun, of course.

STEP 14:

When the numbers had been stomped out and set fire to.

STEP 15:

A wave in the tea was facing him.

STEP 16:

He got to carry the little sailing ship and apparently he began to take part in the local church.

STEP 17:

I find her makeup colorful and her summer suit soiled

STEP 18:

On December 13th you would have seen the open eyed grandfather.

STEP 19:

We had to stay so closely with locked together noses.

STEP 20:

Many beautiful fish in the tropical seas would think of the large hook!

STEP 21:

The cheering brothers were a puppet.

STEP 22:

Sea Monsters carried whiskey and good spirits

STEP 23:

New born babies

STEP 24:

Every day the squat old dog would destroy 1200 men

STEP 25:

Creatures tumbled onto the floor with yells....

STEP 26:

and curses and cries of pain.

22 Comments

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rachel pallis 12 years ago

I remember the first Short Story project of yours I ever saw..... LOVE THIS PROJECT! So much we might even try it at our next girls weekend.....
Good luck!

poofrabbit 12 years ago

You my dear are a wealth of great ideas for the classroom! My librarian just asked me if I wanted to check out some of the books she was getting rid of and if I could use them in anyway in my art room, I LOVE this idea and now know I'm going to work tomorrow to say yes I will take them all! Yet another wonderful 'able!!

Susan Cirigliano 12 years ago

Thank you very much I'm pleased you like my projects. They are fun and i think your students will enjoy!

poofrabbit 12 years ago

So much so I'm now stalking I mean following you ;-) You clearly have very lucky students!

Ryan Diehl 12 years ago

Wow Weeee Whooooooaaa Weeee!! I love it. Very creative!! The 1st one is my favorite. We should take an over head picture of your hand drawing it. And into the rabbit hole we go!!!

Ryan

Margi Rountree 12 years ago

I love the way your mind works. You have my vote always.

Lauren Huffman 12 years ago

I love the way this art project incorporates writing and reading in the classroom! I voted! Thanks for sharing this great idea!!!

Barbara Stromberg 12 years ago

Susy,
It's wonderful to see your unique creativity on-line!!!
You have my vote....your students are so lucky to have you as an inspiration.

blossom9283 12 years ago

Love this idea! Voted for and Added to my Guide.

blossom9283 12 years ago

Just thought you'd like to see how I did:
http://funtimescrapping.com/scrapping-for-education-4-short-story-inspiration-illustration/

build52 12 years ago

Awe-some!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like it and I voted. Totally a Inspiration.

wilgubeast 12 years ago

Awesome. Those look like awesome inspiration for a short story.
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