Piggy Back Ride

Here are a couple more illustrations that fit the 'soar' theme.

Illustration Friday: Soar

Sketches

A BW and color sketch from my manuscript.

Illustration Friday: Horizon

This was just plain fun to paint. I basically sat down, opened up a cold press watercolor block and drew my sketch right on the paper. I wanted something imperfect and fresh, warts and all. I consider this a color sketch of an idea. An experiment where I got to play around with the paint without worrying about the outcome. Most of this was painted with a large brush, and in a very messy fashion.

I just got back from seeing two amazing exhibits. One was of Whistler's lesser known smaller sized oil paintings. And the other of Turner's work. Very very inspiring.

Wagon

Brothers

This is from yet another personal project--one I've been working on here and there over the last couple years.

Isn't it the job of a sibling to march around and flaunt things like cookies and cereal box toys? I remember similar moments of psychological warfare with my own two older brothers growing up.

Sketches From Early Reader "Ines Y Desire" and Some Thoughts On the Process

This reader has been a good learning experience and challenge for me, mainly because there isn't much direct action in the story. No flashy perspectives or exaggerated movements to rely upon for a dynamic presentation. So instead I needed to concentrate on more subtle things like body language and expression to keep the illustrations interesting.

The bottom illustration asked for the mother to be putting the girl's drawing in an envelope. I added my own little side story by having the girl leaning on the mom's arm in a very warm and close way --she's probably on her tippy toes, but it's only suggested, and she's barely able to see over her mom's arm to see what she is doing.

I've Been Sick

Better before Christmas than during though, right? I'm back in the saddle again so stay tuned for more illustrations coming your way!

The Blog Readability Test

Woo hoo! LOL! Really, this makes me laugh. Especially since I hardly write anything in my blog--it's mostly visual. Must be a glitch.

..

Illustration Friday: Little Things

There are some 'little stowaways' in the back of this cab.

This illustration is from a story that I wrote. Yes, yet another project, but I like working that way--having several projects going at once. If one starts losing steam, I switch to another. Then when I get back to the first, it seems fresh again.

Some Illustrations In Acrylics

This is the style I used when I first started illustrating. Then I found it was much too complicated to keep up with fast deadlines and get enough work done each year to make a living. Now I reserve it for personal projects. These are from a picture book story I wrote a while ago...I was thinking of digging it up and sending it off.

Hi

This drawing is from another creative break I took in between illustration assignments--done on a scrap piece of paper. I'm way behind on email again due to wrist pain, but with icing and better posture at my drawing desk I'm seeing some improvements.

Kitty Paw

Some Early Reader Sketches

Oh, there's so much I wish I could post as of late, but the usual rule is that you have to wait until the project is published before you can add it to your portfolio/publish online. I can at least show some sketches. These are for an educational reader. Very fast turn around for these.

Illustration Friday 2: Excess

Illustration Friday: Excess Of Cute

There's the power of love, the power of money, the power of fame and then...the power of cute. My dog Risky, a Jack Russell Terrier (the one pictured in my profile) knows the power of her cuteness. This is the sad little face she gives when she doesn't get her way.

Cold and Hungry

Took a creative break from my assigned work today. Twas very nice!

Hallelujah!......ouch...

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, it's been literally raining assignments. In fact I don't think I've ever had my schedule packed this tight. I can feel slight twinges and aches in my wrists and fingers, so I'm trying my best to spread out my schedule as much as possible.

I really need to work on my posture when sitting at my desk. It's so easy to get lost in what you're doing and not realize you're sitting in a pretzel type position, hunched over, with your arms and elbows in odd angels to avoid various reference materials strewn throughout the desk. My thought is that if I want to do this for a long time I'd better treat my body better. Speaking of which, all this typing was probably not a good idea. Time to ice my hands.

Above is a color sketch to test out some things for a current assignment.

Illustration Friday: Zoo

Here is a very topsy turvy version of this week's topic! Cribs look a bit like zoo cages, don't they?

Ratatouille Quote About Critics

Anton Ego: In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Robert's Snow: For Cancer's Cure

Just a reminder that auctions of have begun for Robert's Snow! Own a piece of art from your favorite children's illustrator and help fight cancer. You can view the current snow flakes here.

The auction will be going until Friday, so while stuffing yourself with er... stuffing this Thanksgiving, why not contribute to a good cause?

Illustration Friday: Superstition

A lot of Olympic athletes, including figure skater Michelle Kwan, have pre-competition superstitions they swear by. Read an interesting article about it here.

And above is my illustration Friday entry. A figure skater who always curls her tail before matches.

Getting It Right

I'd love to be a fly on the wall of other illustrators to see how they deal with problems. Especially lately. I had an idea for a Christmas card, and no matter how many times I sketched it out I couldn't get it right. You know in comics - especially Peanuts - when a scribble cloud is drawn over a character's head to show anger or frustration? I had a big one above my own head while I worked on this last night. Just leave it alone, you might say. Give it some time, take a break. Already did that--several times. To add to it, there's time pressure and pressure in terms of a lot (and I mean A LOT) of people seeing this illustration in the end. And just when I think I'm getting it right, Lucy pulls the football from underneath me. AAAARRRRRRRGH! I say.

I went for a bike ride around the lake today and didn't think about the drawing. I only thought about the colors reflecting off the water, and the falling leaves. I thought about the other biker I passed dressed in a bike helmet and death-metal attire (including looooong goatie)and his surprisingly disarming, friendly smile.

With the minutes ticking by tonight, and the card due tomorrow, I have a half done painting, and it's actually working. Maybe I just jinxed it by saying that, but ah well.

Sketches

Motivational Poster

Illustration Friday: Scale2

Big ship, little pirate.

Illustration Friday: Scale

This pig plays scales that are so beautiful, he makes himself cry. Created with watercolors, Doctor Martin's watercolor dyes, and colored pencil for the outline. Many thanks for the wonderful comments left on my last two IF entries!

Been Busy

Sorry for the lack of posting this past week. Here is one of about 20 or 30 doodles I did recently that actually came out okay. The rest have an appointment with my waste paper basket. Oh, and do wear shades when viewing this yellow. You might as well be staring at the sun.

Illustration Friday: Hats 2

I guess a crown is a kind of hat, right? I actually had a tiger suit when I was around this age. And I thought for sure when I put it on it would make me strong enough to defend myself against my older brothers. WRONG. I sure did have fun with it though.

These are both (the post below) new images created just for IF!

Illustration Friday : Hats

I guess this is a sort of revenge for all the rabbits who have ever been yanked out of a hat by their ears. ;-)

Revenge Of The Blob

Today started out like any other day. Little did I know what lurked in the dusty corners of my art studio. I was working on a mini-book to test out some images for a new manuscript (I've finished the dummy of the previous story and am waiting for an updated operating system to scan it all in). Alls it took was a quick, thoughtless flick of the wrist to have the entire contents of my Higgins Black Magic Ink spill all over my hands, desk, rug, pajamas and drawing. At least it wasn't something I had spent days on. But still, I was not happy. One bit of humor did keep me from getting too annoyed. The boy seems to be smiling and looking right at the blob. "Hi Blob, it's so nice to see you again," said Henry. There we go, I'll run with that as a new direction for the story. Then I don't have to redraw anything.

For Cat Lovers

Illustration Friday : Trick or Treat

Sam found the tallest hill in his neighborhood and sat all alone....where no one else would get his candy.

New Blog Title

Lion is really happy about the new blog title. Mostly because it looks more like a buffet than a title....

Lost

Pirate Final

Pirate Sketch for Recent Project

A Little Video I Made For Robert's Snow

This video features the first auction of snowflakes. I apologize for the typo in the word "November".

Not A Sissy

Blogs I'm Diggin'

A couple of new kids on the 'blog' that deserve a spotlight. I'll let the art work do the talking.

My Place Over The Hill By Alicia Padron


Eric Orchard's Blog

King Of The World