PROJECT LOG
"Illustrating sacred texts for children's books"
Day 1
Practice briefing, instructions on the task for practice.
Day 2
Writing an outline of the of the written part, finding resources for the bibliography, creating a schedule of work for the practice.
Illustrating sacred texts for children is a delicate and important task that requires a deep
understanding of both the text itself and the target audience. My final goal is to create a
children’s book based on Biblical story about Noah’s Ark. During this practice I focused
on collection of literary materials, preparation of sketches, design of functional and
compositional structures, and preparation for the realization of the outcome solution.
This day I wrote an outline to guide me through the practice.
Plot and structure
I started searching for the right literature to accompany my writing. Moreover, I created a Pinterest moodboard that inspired me throughout the whole practice journey.
understanding of both the text itself and the target audience. My final goal is to create a
children’s book based on Biblical story about Noah’s Ark. During this practice I focused
on collection of literary materials, preparation of sketches, design of functional and
compositional structures, and preparation for the realization of the outcome solution.
This day I wrote an outline to guide me through the practice.
Plot and structure
- Super cover (maybe)
- Cover
- Forzac
- Frontispiece (illustration) and title page
- Preface (how to read a bible wimmelbook)
I started searching for the right literature to accompany my writing. Moreover, I created a Pinterest moodboard that inspired me throughout the whole practice journey.
Lieke van der Vorst
Sara Boccaccini
Lara Hawthorne
Day 3
Research for aniconism. Studying literary works about aniconism.
The first step was to collect relevant materials. This includes studying the Biblical text itself, researching the cultural and historical context of the sacred texts, and gathering
visual references that can help inform the illustration process. In this stage, I studied the concept of aniconism in various religions, different interpretations, and researched child-
friendly adaptations. Aniconism refers to the prohibition of images of divine beings or
religious figures in certain cultures. Understanding the principles of aniconism in different
cultures is essential when illustrating sacred texts for children, as it influences the visual
representation of religious themes. I explored how various cultures approach the
representation of divinity and religious narratives without using figurative imagery.
This day I came up with the final bibliography. Most of the working time were spent on studying aniconism.
1. Allen, T. (1988). Aniconism and Figural Representation in Islamic Art, Five Essays on Islamic Art.
2. Best, R.M. (1999). Noah’s Ark and the Ziusudra Epic.
3. Bland, D.A. (1958). History of Book Illustration.
4. Burckhardt, T. (1987). Mirror of the Intellect. State University of New York Press.
5. Dundes, A. (1992). The flood myth. Berkeley: University Of California Press.
6. Esposito, J.L. (2011). What everyone needs to know about Islam. New York: Oxford University Press.
7. Gaifman, M. (2012). Aniconism in Greek Antiquity. Oxford Studies in Ancient Culture & Representation. OUP Oxford.
8. Gerhard Von Rad (1991). Genesis: a commentary. London: Scm.
9. Gruber, C.J. (2019). The image debate: figural representation in Islam and across the world. London: Gingko.
10. Jill Anne Middlemas (2014). The divine image: prophetic aniconic rhetoric and its contribution to the aniconism debate.
11. Lambert, W.G., Millard, A.R. and Civil, M. (1999). Atra-ḫasīs: the Babylonian story of the flood
. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns.
12. McKenzie, S.L. (2009).
How to Read the Bible
. Oxford University Press.
13. Mikhailova, N. (2022). To The Problem of Illustration of The Holy Scripture in Russia on The Example of Stories from The Pentateuch of Moiseyev.
14. Peters, E.G. (2011). The Voyage of Noah’s Ark. Xlibris Corporation.
15. Sinclair, S. (2012). Bibliography of Art and Architecture in the Islamic World.
visual references that can help inform the illustration process. In this stage, I studied the concept of aniconism in various religions, different interpretations, and researched child-
friendly adaptations. Aniconism refers to the prohibition of images of divine beings or
religious figures in certain cultures. Understanding the principles of aniconism in different
cultures is essential when illustrating sacred texts for children, as it influences the visual
representation of religious themes. I explored how various cultures approach the
representation of divinity and religious narratives without using figurative imagery.
This day I came up with the final bibliography. Most of the working time were spent on studying aniconism.
1. Allen, T. (1988). Aniconism and Figural Representation in Islamic Art, Five Essays on Islamic Art.
2. Best, R.M. (1999). Noah’s Ark and the Ziusudra Epic.
3. Bland, D.A. (1958). History of Book Illustration.
4. Burckhardt, T. (1987). Mirror of the Intellect. State University of New York Press.
5. Dundes, A. (1992). The flood myth. Berkeley: University Of California Press.
6. Esposito, J.L. (2011). What everyone needs to know about Islam. New York: Oxford University Press.
7. Gaifman, M. (2012). Aniconism in Greek Antiquity. Oxford Studies in Ancient Culture & Representation. OUP Oxford.
8. Gerhard Von Rad (1991). Genesis: a commentary. London: Scm.
9. Gruber, C.J. (2019). The image debate: figural representation in Islam and across the world. London: Gingko.
10. Jill Anne Middlemas (2014). The divine image: prophetic aniconic rhetoric and its contribution to the aniconism debate.
11. Lambert, W.G., Millard, A.R. and Civil, M. (1999). Atra-ḫasīs: the Babylonian story of the flood
. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns.
12. McKenzie, S.L. (2009).
How to Read the Bible
. Oxford University Press.
13. Mikhailova, N. (2022). To The Problem of Illustration of The Holy Scripture in Russia on The Example of Stories from The Pentateuch of Moiseyev.
14. Peters, E.G. (2011). The Voyage of Noah’s Ark. Xlibris Corporation.
15. Sinclair, S. (2012). Bibliography of Art and Architecture in the Islamic World.
Day 4
Researching aniconism in Islam and Christianity. Writing a draft version of Chapter 1.
This day I started writing Chapter 1. Here is what I had by that time:
My whole practice was first written in Notion, an online app for taking notes. Using that, I was able to always touch up on my writings from any device, which was very convenient. This day I also found Islamic children's books.
Kareema Sorokoumova’s "To children about the Quran", illustrator Eduard Dimasov.
Day 5
Researching aniconism in Judaism. Studying Bible, reading and interpreting Noah’s Ark.
On day 5 I was researching aniconism in Judaism, which's concepts are very similar to Islamic aniconism. Besides that I started studying the Bible, reading and interpreting Noah's Ark tale.
Day 7-10
Writing an Introduction and Chapter 1.
Those three days were dedicated to writing only. I focused on text and literary sources I found. In introduction I highlighted my aims and goals with this practice, and Chapter 1 was all about aniconism's principles in different religions.
Day 11
Researching Noah’s Ark visual interpretations (paintings, illustrations). Exploring Bible illustrated editions for kids.
I was searching for children's books about Bible that already exist. Moreover, I was interested in finding other visual representations of Noah's Ark in art.
Gustave Doré “Flood scene”, 1855.
Gustave Doré “Flood Destroying the World”, 1866.
Edward Hicks “Noah's Ark”, 1846.
Day 12
Researching Noah’s image. Creating a sketch of Noah and his clothes.
I was deeply interested in how I should depict Noah. What did he wear and what did he look like? What was his ethnicity? After doing my research, I came up with this image:
Day 13
Creating a color palette for the future illustrated book. Collecting references.
This day I came up with the color palette and researched modern artists that are interested in illustrating Bible.
I found Lara Hawthorne whose work I find mesmerising. I enjoyed how simple her work is yet it is very effective.
Silent Night, Published by Lincoln Children's books, imprint of Quarto. Illustrator Lara Hawthorne.
Day 14-16
Writing Chapter 2.
Another full period of writing only. In this Chapter I discussed Christian approach to depicting life. After that I went in-depth about Noah's Ark tale.
Day 17-18
Drawing a storyboard for the future book.
Once the materials were collected, I began preparing sketches, drawings, and a storyboard
that would help to continue working on the final diploma project. Building on the storyboard, I developed a main throughout narrative that integrated aniconism concepts and child-friendly interpretations of biblical stories. This project aimed to create a cohesive visual narrative that captured the essence of the Bible while respecting cultural sensitivities and engaging young readers. I ensured that my illustrations effectively communicated the spiritual themes of the text to children.
On day 17 I drew a storyboard. I decided that my book will consist of 10 pages. This quantity is enough as my illustrations are going to be full of detail. I plan to draw a wimmelbook.
that would help to continue working on the final diploma project. Building on the storyboard, I developed a main throughout narrative that integrated aniconism concepts and child-friendly interpretations of biblical stories. This project aimed to create a cohesive visual narrative that captured the essence of the Bible while respecting cultural sensitivities and engaging young readers. I ensured that my illustrations effectively communicated the spiritual themes of the text to children.
On day 17 I drew a storyboard. I decided that my book will consist of 10 pages. This quantity is enough as my illustrations are going to be full of detail. I plan to draw a wimmelbook.
Day 19
Sketching animals from online sources.
These sketches helped me explore different visual styles, character designs, and layouts for the illustrations. I experimented with different techniques and mediums to find the most suitable approach for illustrating my final project.
This day I fully started my practical part. I drew animals from the internet just to warm up my hand. Laetitia recommended me to go to Darwin's Museum which I did on day 20.
This day I fully started my practical part. I drew animals from the internet just to warm up my hand. Laetitia recommended me to go to Darwin's Museum which I did on day 20.
Day 20
Sketching session in Darwin’s Museum.
This day I visited Darwin's Museum and did a lot of sketches of taxidermies. This experience gave me an opportunity to explore animals' bodies more and to come up with drawing of varioous species in my book. Here are digital drawings that I did:
And here are traditional sketches I made using crayons, pencils and markers.
And here are some amazing animals I saw that I will also include in the book but didn't sketch yet:
Day 21
Writing a conclusion.
This day I was finishing my written part of work. I concluded all the chapters and finalised all the written drafts.
Day 22
Tutorial with Laetitia.
I had tutoria;l with Laetitia - she revised my writings and we discussed what I have to go in-depth about and how I should develop my ideas further.
Day 23-24
Preparing a Project Log on Tilda.
Those are the days I was compiling this website page together.
Day 25-26
Preparing a Practice Diary in English and Russian, writing a Practice Report in English and Russian.
Figuring out all the documents.
Day 27
Submission.
The day I went to BHSAD and submitted my work.