Which direction to go?

During the process of writing and illustrating “Things That Go BUMP!…” , the words and pictures changed several times.

Because the book began as a series of individual panels, all of the illustrations were initially straight-on wide shots, similar to a single panel cartoon. When put together and viewed as a book, though, I needed to shake up the camera angles just a bit to avoid visual repetition.

I’ve picked two scenes below to show as examples of dilemma and decisions that needed to be made stylistically.

“Mob Hit”

There were three working versions of the mob hit scene. Ultimately, from the two above, I had to decide whether to go with the first version—which is quick and easy to digest but less creative—or the second version—a Dr. Seuss-ish take that was conceptually more interesting but took a second longer to absorb.

Although the small handful of creative colleagues that I shared the work with would push for image two—myself as well—I went with first, as a general audience reading a picture book needs to get what’s going on immediately.

“Hungry Python”

There’s a trick I learned while studying illustration in art school: rather than showing a scene of violence directly, it’s often more effective to depict the moment just before the event—or immediately after. Case in point above: in version one, the reptile enthusiast arrives home and, as he walks unawares toward his front door, the python prepares to strike. In image two, we see the aftermath and infer what just happened.

Again, my gut told me to use image two, as I found it funnier: a python resting with a swollen belly, and the poor owner’s hat and bag scattered on the ground around the snake. But I was advised that this might break the rhythm of the book, where most scenes of chaos show the second before all hell breaks loose.

Upon reflection, I still think scene two is funnier. And there are other instances in the book where we see the aftermath of the horrific event—like in the night golfing scene, where doctors examine an X-ray of a victim’s skull showing a golf ball lodged in his eye socket.

I guess the point is: it’s good to ask for input when you’ve been staring at your own work for too long… but be prepared for differing opinions—and ultimately, you have to go with your gut.