One of my favorite things is learning which illustrator will create art for the stories I write.
And, I was especially excited when I learned Jill McElmurry, the author and/or illustrator of more than 20 books, would bring SHARING THE BREAD: AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING STORY to life.
I’d seen her work in the best-selling LITTLE BLUE TRUCK books and the evocative THE TREE LADY (which Eliza Wheeler blogged about here). And, as of Sept. 22, our book is out in the world, as well.
Jill kindly agreed to share her creation process with us. It’s pretty impressive. Wait until you see the remarkable studio she finalized much of the art in.
(And, wait. Here’s a secret. If you leave a comment on this blog, I’ll enter you into a drawing to win your very own copy of SHARING THE BREAD. Really.)
But, without further ado, here’s Jill!
What research did you do to learn how an 19th-century family would have made Thanksgiving dinner?
Originally, I’d wanted to put the family in the 1930s and sketched from photos I had of my dad’s family in farmhouses in Missouri and Iowa. That was fun and interesting. The Schwartz and Waders, however, had very specific ideas about setting the book in an earlier time. I switched my attention to all the reference material I found online about mid-1800s New England: The houses, kitchens, furniture, stoves and cooking implements. There are wonderful preserved and recreated homes and communities one can visit. (I only visited virtually.) I became fascinated with the details of family life and cooking from that time. The kitchen in our book would have been smaller, I think, than the one I ended up painting, but I needed a little more space to show all that went on in there.
How did you approach drawing all the family members and decide how they would be dressed? I love the details in all their outfits.
Again, I looked at a LOT of archived photos of people from that time: Their hair styles, clothing and faces. I read descriptions. The colors of fabric would have been earthy, generally, for a family of their economic class. Brightly colored fabric was more expensive. Not sure where the Auntie got her fabulous red dress. Maybe it was a hand-me-down.
What process do you follow when you get a text to illustrate — from first read to final art?
I start by gathering photo references and doing rough pencil thumbnail drawings. This book, in particular, went through many phases, changes, and false starts. I did some rough color finishes to get a feel for how I wanted to work. I have a drawer full of early ideas. (The drawer is in New Mexico, and I was in Minnesota for the summer.) Once the designer, art director, editor and I are on the same page about the direction for the art, I do full-size pencil sketches, scan them into the computer and play around with composition. Then we go back and forth about details until, finally, they’re happy and I’m happy. I print out the sketches or have them sent to me by the designer and transfer the drawings onto watercolor paper using graphite transfer paper. I paint with gouache, underlaying translucent washes, then opaquely for flat areas, textures and details. On this book, I let the pencil lines show through more than usual because it looked good to me.
I think you did the art for this book in two states. What medium did you use, and what are your studios like?
I did. All the preliminary stuff was done in New Mexico and the finished art was done at our island cabin in Minnesota. We brought my art supplies and sketches, wrapped up in plastic bags, across the lake on our pontoon boat. In New Mexico, I have access to a computer, scanner and printer. On the island, I don’t, so everything had to be green-lighted before we left. I soaked my paper in a tub outside under a giant White Pine. I’d be in the studio — see photo above — working and look up to see canoeists drifting past my window. It was interesting to be necessarily low-tech for the final art.
Finally — What’s your favorite spread in SHARING THE BREAD?
The one of the boy peering into the baby’s crib. I love that one.
More resources:
- You can learn more about Jill at www.jillmcelmurry.com
- You can learn more about me at www.patzietlowmiller.com
- And, finally, you can find copies of the book at your local bookstore. (If they don’t have it in stock, they can order it.) It’s also available online at Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Powells.
- (And leave a comment, leave a comment, leave a comment. You could win a book!)
I’m just so impressed with the entire book! The illustrations are gorgeous. Wishing you tremendous success!!!
Ah! Mid-1800s New England! No wonder it all looked a bit familiar to me from visiting our local historic homes. Can’t wait to pore over this beauty and share it with kids before Turkey Day.
So excited to see this beauty on my shelf! Yay pat and Jill
Looks beautiful! Congratulations.
I have always loved her work. She comes from a very talented family
I hope my order arrives today… That shipping notice has me on pins and needles. Not that I wouldn’t love to win another copy to gift. This book is bound to be a new classic and I can’t wait to examine it up close. Thanks for a terrific interview.
Love the title!! Plus, any illustrator who spends even part of the year in MN gets a big OK!!
This book looks lovely. I can’t wait to read it. I always love reading about the process of authors and artists. Thank you.
I loved hearing about your process. Especially all those beginnings and rough drafts and sketches. Inspiring!
Congratulations Pat and Jill! What a glorious book!!!!!
Just read and loved it! Thanks for the great interview! Congrats to you & Jill! I’m also a HUGE fan of the Tree Lady! I just LOVE that cover!
SHARING THE BREAD has such a warm and inviting cover. I’d like to be part of that family! I’m off to Barnes and Noble on Sunday to hunt this book down!
Looking forward to holding this one in my hot little hands! A classic in the making.
Maybe I’m a romantic, but being able to create the artwork in that little cabin would be like a dream. It’s always interesting to hear how much the publisher and artist work together in illustrating a story. Thanks for sharing.
I’m excited to see a historical book from Pat and Jill. My daughters adore history told through picture books.
Thanks for sharing. I am in awe of artists. Can’t wait to read the book!
Oh, my–the logistics of having art in two such different places sounds challenging, but what a beautiful result! I’ve admired Jill’s art since reading The Hound from the Pound (written by my pal Jessica Swaim), which I love. Congratulations to you both–it looks gorgeous!
Wow, hearing an illustrator’s process is so interesting. I can’t wait to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks Jill and Pat. I enjoyed learning about the process the artist has to go through to illustrate the manuscript. I’m looking forward to seeing and reading the book.
Love the art and the writing! This is sure to become a Thanksgiving classic.
This looks like a delightful book. I’m a fan of Tree Lady, so I’m sure I’ll love the illustrations in Pat’s book. Thanks for the interview!
Man, I am super jealous of her studio set up. Its my dream to have a private studio far in the woods. Love her work. Cant wait to see this one!
As an artist trying to transition to illustration, I found your interview both interesting and informative. Looking forward to seeing the book in person. With this combo of author and illustrator, it’s bound to be a winner.
It’s very interesting to see the process you go through to produce the beautiful end result…AND your cabin sounds heavenly!
This will be a wonderful book to share at Thanksgiving time.
Thank you for all the comments. I couldn’t be happier with Jill’s art. There’s still time to enter if you’d like to win a copy!
This book looks so wonderful and I’m anxious to go get a copy! Always love hearing about the illustration side (I’m more illustrator, but have tried my hand at writing one recently too. Would love a copy of this!
Oh, this one is going to be a classic!
Congratulations, Pat Zietlow Miller & Jill McElmurry, on producing this beautiful & heartwarming book!