Lilly the Lifeboat.
For my final major project (FMP) of my foundation year at university, I created an illustrated children's book about the life of a royal national lifeboat institution (RNLI) lifeboat in North Devon. I was inspired to write the story after watching documenties about the life's of RNLI volunteers, and the Thomas the tank engine stories by Rev. W. Awdry.
Inspiration.
I already had a story written for Lilly the lifeboat before I started on the project, however, I didn't know if it'll work as a project. To begin with, I researched illustrators, artist and children's book illustrators to see what style worked best for the story I had written for Lilly, next I looked at character design. I found that a more graphic style of drawing suited both the story and the character more.
I choose to set the story in North Devon because I had just lost my grandfather who came from the same area. The story itself was based on a story from an old butchers shop in South East London. I gave each of the lifeboats their own characteristics and personalities to help the story came to life, taking inspiration from the characters of Thomas the tank engine.
Development.
I decided to go for a graphic style illustration for the book as I felt that it worked best for the storytelling and character design. I drew up storyboards to help me navigate the story and it's timing. I did the storyboards in watercolour pencil, however, I felt that the process was too time consuming, so I completed the final book digitally, however, I loved the initial watercolour storyboards and I wanted to keep the watercolour effect.
Final Book.
For the final book I completed digitally, however, I couldn't keep the watercolour effect, which I was slightly disappointed about, however, I feel that the digital drawings added to the graphic style of the book that made it appealing to an older audience.
