On June 5, 2009 the students and faculty at Mt. Pleasant School had a very special author/illustrator visit by Mr. Floyd Cooper, the 2009 Coretta Scott King Award Recipient for The Blacker the Berry. Mr. Cooper treated the students to a fabulous presentation highlighting his work as an illustrator and author. He demonstrated his unique technique in creating his illustrations which is called oil wash on board. He calls his technique a “subtractive process” because he uses a stretchy eraser to actually create the desired result. Pastels, crayons, and paint as well as other medium 
are then used to enhance the artwork and the results are amazing. Mr. Cooper uses family and friends as models for some of his work.
Click here to listen to a podcast during which Floyd Cooper shares how he became an illustrator and author.
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