Tasty Tales is a wonderful collection of thirty facts and fables about food. Discover when candyfloss was a banquet dish, how Portuguese sailors inspired tempura shrimp and when mash became a symbol for victory. Readers will travel around the world learning how some foods were discovered by accident while others were made to bring honour or to show resistence. Some stories are actual historical accounts while others come from folklore. Perfect for a school culture day, these Tasty Tales are engaging and fun. They have the potential to be shared and enjoyed in both primary and secondary schools.
Find out more about how author/illustrator Anna Lena Feunekes created this stunning book with this guest post sharing her process.
Behind the Scenes: illustrating the cover of "Tasty Tales" by Anna Lena Feunekes
Ever wondered about the story behind a book cover? Well, get ready to peek behind the curtain as we unravel the creative journey behind the captivating cover of "Tasty Tales"! I'm Anna Lena and I've written and illustrated this book because I love a couple things almost as much as I love to make art: to eat and to learn about food history! The book not only captures the essence of where foods came from but also offers a glimpse into the artistic process that brought it to life. That is because all the illustrations are handmade with collage, pencils and paint!
In this blog post, I'd love to introduce you to my way of making the cover for this book!
Inspiration: The cover of "Tasty Tales'' is like an invitation to the culinary adventure within. It features a big cooking pot brimming with stories, with mouth watering aromas that draw you in. Surrounding the pot are characters from the book, each holding their signature dish, adding a touch of whimsy. Before we landed on this concept, I tried out a couple of different ideas and played with the set up.
Research and Sketching: Before picking up a paintbrush, I dove deep into the world of "Tasty Tales." After writing the manuscript, I meticulously researched each character's clothing to ensure authenticity and capture the spirit of the narrative. With this vision in mind, I sketched out the characters on paper, bringing them to life with every stroke of the pencil. They always turn out in their own way, showing personality and quirks! After picking out a concept, I refined it further, working digitally to figure out the cover.
Painting and Collaging: Armed with their sketches, I let my creativity flow as I painted each character with vibrant colours, infusing them with personality and charm. I wanted to have a clear colour palette for the book, and I chose to focus on blue, red and yellow for the most prominent colours. Once the characters were painted, they were carefully cut out and collaged digitally, allowing me to play with the composition! The cooking pot took centre stage, radiating tasty scents and inviting readers to dive into its delicious contents.
Digital Magic: With the characters in place, it was time to add the finishing touches. Handwritten letters were lovingly crafted for the title, adding a personal touch to the cover. The final touches were added digitally, enhancing colours and textures to create a cover that's as visually appetising as the stories it contains.
The Back Cover: But the feast doesn't end there! Flip the book over, and you'll be greeted by a delicious looking table spread, with ingredients from the book laid out like a feast made from paper. It's a fun glimpse into the culinary world waiting to be explored within the pages of "Tasty Tales."
If you are now curious about the food world around you, join me on this culinary adventure through "Tasty Tales." Mixing history, culture, and community, and to celebrate the amazing language of food that connects us all - that's the message of "Tasty Tales"!
Using collage art to create appetising food history art
Join me, Anna Lena, the author and illustrator of "Tasty Tales," as we take a peek behind the curtain to explore how sketches evolve into vibrant collage art, filling the pages with flavour and whimsy.
1. As the creator of "Tasty Tales," my journey began by immersing myself in the world of the stories. Of course, I was writing and researching the stories as well, which helped prime me to make the art afterwards! Inspired by its recipes and characters, I pictured all the scenes that would capture the essence of the stories. As you can see, I even had a little help sometimes!
2. Armed with my digital drawing tablet, iPad, pencil and paper, I sketched out the illustrations, bringing the stories to life with each stroke. From bustling kitchens to serene countryside settings, I wanted each sketch to transport readers into the heart of the story. But before this can happen, I needed to really think about what the illustrations would tell, that the text did not. I always take my time with sketches and make colour roughs to see if everything works. Like with the cover colour rough you can see here!
3. Adding Depth and Detail: With the sketches as my guide, I added colour and texture to the illustrations, infusing them with depth and detail. Using a mix of traditional and digital techniques, I built each illustration step by step, adding layers to layers of paper. Here is a character I created for the inventor of nachos!
4. Using the art of collage, I layered elements together to add dimension to the scenes. From flickering candle flames to rising steam from a pot, I finalised the details that made each character and story come more and more alive! Like this Marie Antoinette character, holding her potato and with potato flowers in her hair.
5. With the illustrations complete, I finished the art for "Tasty Tales" digitally. Smoothing over the little imperfections that come from working traditionally, but still leaving lots of personality so the book would keep a handmade feel.
And there you have it, the journey from sketch to final collage art—a labour of love that has made "Tasty Tales" into a visual feast! I have immensely enjoyed creating and writing this book, and one of my dreams is that you might enjoy reading it someday. It's just like sharing a lovely dinner with others - except it's pages and stories bringing the flavour!
Bon appétit and happy reading!
Warm regards,
Anna Lena
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