Available for virtual visits in: Yukon, BC (Vancouver Island), and Saskatchewan
Craft: Author, Illustrator
Genre: Picture Books
Target Audience: Grades 2-6; teens/adults
Cost for School and Public Presentation with CCBC subsidy: $200.00, plus applicable taxes
Presentation/Workshop Information:
Option #1: ILLUSTRATING A PICTURE BOOK
Materials: 2B Pencils – HB Pencil – Eraser – Sharpener – 12” ruler – Set square – Watercolour Pad 11×14 (Student quality) – Watercolor paint set ( Student quality)
Coloured pencil set ( a set of 12 coloured pencils is fine) – Black thin marker ( Micro pen or other) this can be used to outline illustrations and hand lettering.
*These pens are available in a set that will include different sizes.
Grades 2-3
Introduction to children’s picture books
A short talk about the nuts and bolts of illustrating a picture book.
Warm up exercise sketching really simple children’s faces with different emotions.
- Draw a baby boy/girl
- Draw a toddler boy/girl
- Draw a 6 year old boy/ girl
- Draw a 10 year old boy/ girl
Grades 4-6
Introduction to children’s picture books – A quick warm up exercise illustrating a nursery rhyme 15 minutes – Will show a sample of a story board demo – Students will then create their own story board
Grades 4-6
Painting demo of a children’s book illustration – Students will take one of their images from their story board and paint it as it were a finished piece of art for their picture book. I will also show students a variety of picture book covers, and discuss the importance of design and typography
OPTION #2
SELF PORTRAITS – Grade 2, inspired by my board book I Want to Be… A Gutsy Girl’s ABC
We focus on discussing what makes up our identity, personality and uniqueness and above all what do they want to be when they grow up.
I will teach basic proportions rules, practice drawing features individually and give out mirrors.
SELF PORTRAIT: Grade 3-4
The paper portrait is yet another fun and easy way to create portraits for your students.
- 12 x 18 white paper
- 12 x 18 background paper (let the kids chose from a variety of coloored backgrounds)
- Skin tone paper (1/2 sheet per portrait)
- 1 sheet paper for hair (size varies)
- 1 piece paper for shirt/shoulders
- Variety of sequins, buttons, etc.
- Use glue sticks instead of white glue for this project.
Grade 5-6: Creating self portraits inspired by the works of impressionist like Picasso or Braque. Introducing them them to natural or Expressionistic colors for the facial features and hair and giving them the option to express their quirky side.
Option 2
Grade 2-6: Illustrate your own story.
Grade 2-4: I will introduce them to the provide them with a story to illustrate
This workshop will be tailored to the learning level of each grade.
Option #3 (For high school/college students and Adults)
An online presentation of my work, talk about my career as an illustrator and now and author too. The creative and business side of it. I will do an art demo.
Time for questions and answers. Portfolio review for adults and students who plan to apply to art school. For higher education.
Book List
Ta-Da! A Story of Egg Donation, written by Ella Kay and illustrated by Farida Zaman (Second Story Press, September 2022)
When Mom’s Away, written by Layla Ahmad and illustrated by Farida Zaman (Second Story Press, 2021)
I Want To Be… A Gutsy Girls’ ABC, written and illustrated by Farida Zaman (Second Story Press, 2020)
My First Book of Hindi Words, written by Rina Singh and illustrated by Farida Zaman (Tuttle Publishing, 2016)
Forthcoming titles
Aliya’s Secret- A Ramadan Tale. Written and illustrated by Farida Zaman (Owl Books, coming out in Winter 2023)
Meena Can’t Wait (working title). Written and illustrated by Farida Zaman (Orca, coming out in 2024)
Biography
Farida Zaman is a Toronto-based multi-disciplinary artist and writer, who is well known for her whimsical, uplifting designs of flowers, plants, and a wide breadth of subject matter in watercolour, gouache, acrylics and digital art. She has illustrated over 16 picture books, including My First Book of Hindi Words, Two Shoes, Blue Shoes, New Shoes!, and The Yoga Game, and is author-illustrator of I Want To Be… A Gutsy Girls’ ABC, with more books coming soon. She is currently working on 2 picture books as the author and Illustrator with Owl books and Orca Publishing, for 2023 and 2024 Born in Bangladesh, and having called many different countries home, including the UK, the US, and Canada, Farida describes herself as a global citizen, with a flair for illustrating stories related to different cultures, travel, history, and diverse lived experiences. She trained in fine art and illustration at the Chelsea School of Art and the Wimbledon School of Art in London, where she graduated top of her class with honours. Her work has been exhibited at shows and galleries and has received recognition and awards in Europe and North America. Farida teaches art classes for adults and children and is a member of the Society of Illustrators in New York, SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book writers and Illustrators), and CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers).
