You probably noticed we really get into the U.S. Presidents around here, especially today! The illustration of President Lincoln on the homepage (and detail above) were among the first spreads created for Giving Thanks, in 2021. Like with other historic figures in our books, it took me a couple tries to get his likeness, but when the lines came together it felt right, almost spiritual. Sparkling, wise, a little mischievous and rugged, perhaps our greatest president (who hailed from the most humble circumstances imaginable by the way, a little cabin in the wilds of Kentucky) was looking on approvingly.
Around this same time, I was invited to speak to a class of freshmen at Cleveland Institute of Art on character design. I focused the presentation and a related exercise on picture books and specifically looking to historic personalities and faces for inspiration. I know it can be a dry subject, but I tried to make it fun and suggested Lincoln’s distinctive, weathered face and features could be recast as a Captain Ahab (students reminded me Lincoln was also a pretty effective vampire hunter!) What other characters and scenarios could get his iconic treatment? I wanted to share the students drawings here today, as well. Most of the class seemed enthusiastic for the challenge, hope you enjoy too!
