ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

One of my favorite books growing up was Anne of Green Gables. I strongly identified with Anne as a child, and that connection has remained meaningful to me into adulthood. Because of this personal attachment, it was particularly important that this cover illustration accurately reflect Anne’s personality. I aimed to convey her mischievous wit and spirited enthusiasm through her expression and body language. Achieving this proved challenging at first; after experimenting with an initial composition that did not fully capture the character, I ultimately chose to discard it and develop a new approach that more successfully conveyed Anne’s lively nature.

Extensive visual research informed the development of this piece. The setting of Green Gables and Avonlea in Prince Edward Island plays a central role in the narrative and is deeply connected to Anne’s growth. Immersed in the natural landscape, Anne learns to flourish in her new home along the lush seaside cliffs. This relationship between character and environment guided the overall visual tone and atmosphere of the illustration.

Historical accuracy was also an important consideration, particularly in the depiction of Anne’s clothing. While researching late nineteenth-century children’s fashion, I observed the decorative flourishes and patterned details that were common during the period. These visual elements informed the design of the green frame surrounding the illustration, where I incorporated similar motifs to enhance the piece while maintaining a sense of historical authenticity.

Finally, this project incorporates hand lettering as part of the final design. I spent considerable time exploring different lettering styles for Anne’s name using a variety of pen tips to achieve the desired visual effect. The final lettering was then scanned and integrated digitally into the completed composition.

ILLUSTRATION II

SPRING 2025