Love Yourself “Love yourself first and everything else falls into place.” ~ Lucille Ball. At first glance, the quote appears to be white lace on the dress neckline. It fell into perfect place in the composition.Quotes hold meaning and magic for so many of us. When you add a visual element to a quote, the words have even more power to inspire and motivate. I wanted to explore what made a successful illustrated quote and in turn, help others successfully combine their art with their best loved quotes.
So how do you successfully illustrate a quote?
1. Treat the words of the quote as another element of the overall composition, not an afterthought or add-on.
2. The quote should not be the focal point--that would be a quote illustration vs. an illustrated quote. Everything on the canvas/page should relate to and enhance the message of the quote.
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| Woods vs Books |
“You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.” ~Saint Bernard. An image of a woman walking in the woods, book pages, a transferred tree, mica mined from stone, and the overall colors work to convey the message of the quote. The metal stamping technique, size, shape and placement of the quote is balanced with the overall composition.
Untitled by Katie Kendrick. “I am in the mood to dissolve into the sky.” ~ Virginia Woolf. Katie has integrated the quote into the artwork so well that you are quite drawn into the work to find it. It truly dissolves into the art.
3. Integrate the quote into the work. It doesn’t always have to be set apart or easily readable.
4. Make it personal. What story, emotion, or feeling does the quote elicit in you? If you connect and convey that raw emotion, others will respond and connect to your art too.
4. Make it personal. What story, emotion, or feeling does the quote elicit in you? If you connect and convey that raw emotion, others will respond and connect to your art too.
Untitled by Katie Kendrick. “I am in the mood to dissolve into the sky.” ~ Virginia Woolf. Katie has integrated the quote into the artwork so well that you are quite drawn into the work to find it. It truly dissolves into the art.
5. Don’t be afraid to use your own handwriting! Lettering is a beautiful art form in and of itself but it's not a necessity. Your handwriting is your mark making. The way you form your letters is a mark of your style, a personal imprint, and an impression that only you can add. The emphasis should always be to express your unique self.
Lesley Riley, author of the popular mixed-media art books, Creative Lettering Workshop and Inspirational Quotes Illustrated. Click here to learn about her featured Creative Lettering Monoprinting mini-kit!
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