I've always been a Shaun Tan fan but had no idea about this published book of unpublished sketches. I adore very much to look at artists sketchbooks and wonder what they are thinking while they are drawing. Given Tan's history of fantastical creatures and stories I was not disappointed. ( )

When I first saw the Uncorrected Proof I wondered why anyone would buy another artist's notebook. Yet, it intrigued me so I took it home. I found myself picking it up often as a reminder that my art doesn't have to start out perfect. It's in the act of capturing ideas that art is born and ideas are improved. ( )

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/mdi0RRFe4hA

Enjoy! ( )

Shaun Tan, the multiple award-winning illustrator and author of picture books, writes about and illustrates his creative process in a wonderful “artist’s notebook.” An amalgam of his ideas about creativity, black and white sketches, and full color pictures fills the pages of this transfixing book. Bizarre, beautiful, lyrical, fantastical, nightmarish all describe Tan’s sketches and paintings. Words fail to capture the beauty of this book. One two page spread entitled “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” shows a boy with a paint palette and all his wonderful creatures following him like a fish with wings, a spaceman kind of thing carrying a cat, a mechanical penguin. One of the jewels he offers about the creative process “My stories generally begin with images rather than words, modest sketches drawn in a fairly aimless way.” (p. 6) He offers beautiful advice to aspiring artists about “realizing a vision” with this insight: “Quick sketches are an essential means of recording some of this source energy, like pinning ephemeral butterflies to the page, a library of fresh impressions that can be used for later reference.” (p. 36) More appropriate at the high school level where you will find more sophisticated, budding artists and art teachers who will appreciate the advice especially about revision. ( )

Aw.

This was lovely.

This was just what I needed to 'read'. While it has no actual plot, this carefully-chosen selection of drawings is very evocative of Shaun Tan's style. I loved the sections where he talked about inspiration, why he'd chosen this selection of pieces and how he worked through certain processes as an artist. It's comforting although unfortunate that Tan too, suffers from artist's block as all artists do.

I loved his feathery art style of his pencils and the passionate colour of his pastels. I love the melancholy, surrealist mood of his artwork and fell in love with his spidery handwriting. I know Tan is technically a 'junior' book but the fact that it's relegated to the children's section of my library makes me think so many people must've missed it.

I really enjoyed this. I'll always read Shaun Tan. ( )