A Brave New Book World

Here's a half-page illustration I did for Alternatives Journal, a Canadian environmental magazine. They're a new client for me, which is always a major rush! I hope to work for them again in the future.

The concept behind "A Brave New Book World" (by Nic Boshart) is that e-readers like Kindles, iPads, and Kobos will actually lead the publishing industry into a more ecologically and economically sustainable future.

Physical books have a large carbon footprint. It's not just the actual paper being used, it's the also the fuel being consumed when these books get shipped from printer to publisher to store, back to the publisher (if unsold), and then finally to a mill to be pulped.

Not only will digital delivery reduce the volume of books being shipped from place to place -- Boshart also writes about how new technologies such as Print On Demand will reduce a lot of the waste that results from overproduction, as well as allowing writers to self-publish their work.

I wanted to create an image that was optimistic and hopeful, with the sense of adventure that comes with exploring a new frontier. Because Alternatives Journal is a Canadian publication, I thought it would be fun to use Anne of Green Gables, our most famous literary heroine. As a character, Anne is resilient and cheery and she personifies the publishing industry for my purposes. Thematically I think it works too, because Anne is sent to Marilla and Matthew for a better life. She is being guided ashore by a shining Kindle -- Prince Edward Island is famous for its lighthouses!

Here are a couple of close-ups:




The sketch I sent to the art director:


A more detailed reworking of the sketch:



Some colour comps:


Hope you like it!

-- Julia