The Lynne Chapman Shed
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How did you get to where you are now?
I have been an illustrator for well over 20 years, but I didn’t start off illustrating children’s books (in fact, I originally did my degree in Printed Textile Design). For many years, I was an editorial illustrator, working freelance for a very diverse range of magazines and newspapers: everything from The Sunday Times, down to the most obscure trade magazines (Cement Monthly...). This was when I first began drawing with pastels. These days, I specialise in illustrating picture books. I love the fact that I can spend around 3 months immersing myself in each project, getting to know the characters, rather than just having a few days to produce an illustration for a magazine.Teaching : I truly love the fact that I regularly get invited into schools and libraries to work with children, and show them how I do my illustrations. I’m often asked if I used to be a school teacher. I did once teach college students, lecturing part time in Illustration at the Sheffield College. I also spent two years supporting a young people's literacy project, Need To Read, both as a personal literacy tutor and running a weekly art club. More recently, I taught life drawing as a visiting lecturer at Hallam University. Do you do any teaching? I don't have time for regular teaching these days, but I really enjoy running one-off workshops, storytellings and talks. A day spent in a school or at a festival fits nicely around my illustration work and gives me the opportunity to get out of the studio and have a bit of fun with some of my readers! |
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In this short film Lynne demonstrates how she created a dragon character for a childrens book.
When You're Not Looking!
Things aren't always what they seem. You won't believe what the crazy animals do... when you're not looking!
"Rhinos love to wallow, In Squelchy muddy hollows.
But the sometimes use the trees as a flying trapeze...
When you're not looking!"
Teaching Ideas
Read the book with your class. (use the Photostory to display the pages) When you are reading ask the class to join in the phrase; "...when you're not looking!"
Ask the children to hunt for words in the story which rhyme, such as 'trees' and 'trapeze' or 'false teeth in' and 'cheeky grin.'
Ask the children to come up with their own rhyming couplets to describe something that an animal would normally do. e.g. the chickens like rest their weary legs, by sitting down and warming eggs. Once they have done this then try to do the same for something crazy linking it with the word but (connectives practice) like the examples in the book.
Cross curricular links with Art - children can create pictures, possibly using pastels, to create pictures of their crazy animals.
"Rhinos love to wallow, In Squelchy muddy hollows.
But the sometimes use the trees as a flying trapeze...
When you're not looking!"
Teaching Ideas
Read the book with your class. (use the Photostory to display the pages) When you are reading ask the class to join in the phrase; "...when you're not looking!"
Ask the children to hunt for words in the story which rhyme, such as 'trees' and 'trapeze' or 'false teeth in' and 'cheeky grin.'
Ask the children to come up with their own rhyming couplets to describe something that an animal would normally do. e.g. the chickens like rest their weary legs, by sitting down and warming eggs. Once they have done this then try to do the same for something crazy linking it with the word but (connectives practice) like the examples in the book.
Cross curricular links with Art - children can create pictures, possibly using pastels, to create pictures of their crazy animals.
Click here to download the 'When You're Not Looking' photostory
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Visit Lynne's Website: www.lynnechapman.co.uk
*look inside all my books * view my illustrations and sketchbooks * book a school visit or festival event * visit the children's Funclub Visit Lynne's Blogs An Illustrator's Life For Me! For a spy-hole inside her studio http://lynnechapman.blogspot.com The Picture Gallery: for photos, sketches & background http://lynnespictures.blogspot.com |