Analyzing Ezra Jack Keats' Techniques: Children's Book Illustration Tips

Hear about the way Keats composed the spreads in his books, and the creative decisions he made in terms of what objects and environments to depict in his stories. Discussion with Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Alex Rowe.
BOOKS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO
The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats: amzn.to/3dQcjK1
Pet Show!, Ezra Jack Keats: amzn.to/2MNwexi
Apt. 3, Ezra Jack Keats: amzn.to/37r7mFg
Whistle for Willie, Ezra Jack Keats: amzn.to/2MOqao7
Hi, Cat!, Ezra Jack Keats: amzn.to/3fgelmT
Goggles! , Ezra Jack Keats: amzn.to/3fdZ6uM
A Letter to Amy, Ezra Jack Keats: amzn.to/37mBgdD
Peter's Chair, Ezra Jack Keats: amzn.to/3cOs2be
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Clara Lieu was an Adjunct Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design from 2007-2020. Her artwork has been exhibited at the International Print Center NY, the Currier Museum, Childs Gallery, the Davis Museum, and more. Lieu received an artist fellowship from the MA Cultural Council, has written for the NY Times, and lectured at Brown University, the NAEA conference, and in Vancouver & China. She has been profiled in Artsy, Hyperallergic, KPCC, & WBUR.
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[@artprof]

See all of the Art Prof staff's art book recommendations here on this page on out main site! artprof.org/professional-development/art-books/

[@BigHenFor]

I never heard of Ezra Jack Keats before, and honestly his story and how he gave the little boy Peter another life and existence, beyond his rather sad photo article in Life magazine in his work made me cry.

[@Slepnir123]

I get a kick out hearing Alex talk about illustration. I also have not hear about Ezra Jack Keats before, so that is also a plus.

[@ladystingray]

I would definitely like to see more about children’s book illustrators like Eric Clarke, Jan Brett, and Mo Willems. You mentioned the importance of backgrounds. I think they are super important in a picture book. The art in books like Snowy Day is some of the first art that children really view in detail. When you read a book over and over with a child, they come to know each illustration intimately. There are books from my childhood that I cannot remember the story of, but I can remember details of the artwork vividly.

[@artprof]

So true. I’ve picked up books I haven looked at for 20 years, and I remember the images like it was yesterday. -Prof Lieu

[@karenliu529]

May I add that the children's books are not necessarily only for the kids, the parents are often reading it just as often as the kids. I would much more willing to read a book to my kids, if the book has illustrations and stories I also like relative to some really bad summaries of cartoons they like. Also, kids aren't all the same, many kids are not that linear, in the sense that they aren't looking at the pictures simply to know the stories. My kids love to look at little nuggets in an illustration. Shel Silverstein, I think are loved by some kids, but not all kids love simplicity.

[@soy__drea]

Omg this was so good I watched it twice, so I don't miss anything on the language barrier (my mother tongue is Spanish 😊💚). Please do review more illustrators. This was so good !!! Thank you for taking the time to do it :)

[@artprof]

We will definitely be doing more streams on illustration! -Prof Lieu

[@laurar430]

I think the bed is on the rooftop maybe? The colored hat was crocheted, and was popular at the time. I had one of those chairs; they were made in Mexico. They were all different colors!

[@samanthareimerart4627]

Great video. I love looking at the illustrations in children's books and how thoughtful and intentional the art is. I get really excited when I see my son drawn to books with fantastic art and reading is such a beautiful way to experience art together. I'll echo the request for a video on the work of Eric Carle and would also like to add a favourite in our household, Oliver Jeffers.

[@monikaazariah9237]

I love this channel so much....thank you for it....there's so much to learn from it.....and it's just my go to when I'm in a slump.or feeling unproductive with my art..

[@artprof]

This is so nice to hear, we are so happy Art Prof has helped you out with art slumps! We would love for you to join our Discord Server, we have tons of conversations everyday about art, and you can post your work for critiques from our staff and other people too! Here is the invite link: discord.gg/g5XQRpT - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@sigrunella1]

I would love it if you would look into some Scandinavian children's book illustrators. Tove Jansson is one of my favourites.

[@artprof]

I LOVE Moomin! Great suggestion.-Prof Lieu

[@anniefinch6843]

The snowy day won the caldecott medal. But he wasn't named ezra jack keats. His original name was Jacob Ezra Katz. But his name was changed to Ezra jack keats.

[@artprof]

Thanks for sharing, and for watching! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@ruthlieu4780]

Could you add the cc English subtitles to this video. I like to send it to my two artists friend here in Taiwan. Thanks.

[@artprof]

Sorry, too much work for our staff and budget. -Prof Lieu

[@ruthlieu4780]

@@artprof The IPOD I bought last year actually has an automatic English subtitles function, when I opened this video on my IPOD I found out the English subtitles function was turned OFF, so I just switched it on and it has the English subtitles. Sorry for the confusion.