Like a violin to a piano

An integral difference, I learnt on my course Saturday gone, between the artist and illustrator, is that an artist will SEE something and feel inspired to draw it; however, an illustrator will READ something and want to express it visually. This definition might be a bit crude, but it gives you the general notion on what the role of an illustrator is. We were introduced to the idea that illustration to words is like a violin accompanying a piano, the notes not echoed in exact combination, rather a harmonic production that comes together to make a unique artistic collaboration.

The latest project we were required to hand in at this class was a series of drawings, booklet or 3D object to represent the words of a heroic poem, and something to be given to someone we loved. I chose a poem by Max Ehrmann, it isn't heroic in a literal sense, but more of a poem that represents triumph of self. Here is a rough draft that I prepared. I hope to develop it further, because I really enjoyed working alongside a poetic skeleton, it provided some great inspiration. I'm going to have to find a decent writer/poet to work with sometime!