Crane and Wizard Story Design
This is the design story of one of Jean’s paintings for our “The Wizards and the Whale” children’s book. Jean has always been inspired by the Asian designed cranes, especially those found in Japanese woodblock prints and paintings, in Korean folk art, and the cranes in many Chinese screens. Here is a decorative Japanese crane next to one of Jean’s.
Japanese Crane and Jean Tori Red Headed Crane Version
As we needed a page for the dialogue next to the Winged Wizard, we thought it might be in keeping for Jean to paint birds facing the wizard in order to maintain a wing theme.
Here’s her initial drawing next to a print of the Winged Wizard during the design phase.
As we needed a page for the dialogue next to the Winged Wizard, we thought it might be in keeping for Jean to paint birds facing the wizard in order to maintain a wing theme.
Here’s her initial drawing next to a print of the Winged Wizard during the design phase.
Jean decided to go with a more graphic-design style inspired by Korean folk art. The cranes in Korean folk art are a bit less detailed with more humorous expressions.
As an example, here are two cranes who seem to be smiling while listening to a chatty tiger. There is no depiction of danger, but rather, it’s a tongue-in-cheek moment.
This is the final illustration. Jean always transforms her inspirations into her own style.
Here the cranes look like silk screen prints, some in motion and others with quirky expressions, as though they are just about to fly off to start the wizard’s journey.
Follow the journey of The Wizards for yourself...CLICK HERE
For more about Jean's artwork visit www.jeantoriartwork.com
