Happy Ending

As a continuation to the post below, the young piggy finally got another balloon that day.

Illustration Friday: Balloon

I couldn't decide which style to paint this sketch in so I ended up doing both!

Julianna Color Version

Studio Assistant

A long time ago I posted a photo of my loyal and affable studio assistant, so thought I would post an update. Anyone recognize that stuffed animal? It's from Mark Teague's famous series.

*Edit : oh and I forgot to include--this is Risque, Risky for short. She's a long haired Jack Russell Terrier.

Baby's Fishing For A Dream

Baby's fishing for a dream
Fishing near and far
Her line a silver moonbeam is
Her bait a silver star
--written by..?? anyone know?

This is a sketch of the illustration I'm doing for Julianna's room. I'll be visiting my little niece for the first time this Tuesday and I'm so excited!

After several weeks of painting and drawing without a break, I took a much needed creative vacation and spent some time cleaning out my studio. I haven't picked up a pencil for a while now and I feel so refreshed now that I'm back at my desk. Hard work is important, but so are breaks! This sketch was pure joy to work on, which usually means the painting process will be equally so.

I'm An Auntie Again!

Welcome to the world, Julianna! That's my brother Duane (the proud papa), Julianna and their kitty cat, Isabelle.

Bond....James Bond

I'm absolutely giddy about the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace. A perfectly timed release as well since it's coming out one day after my birthday. I've watched Casino Royal more times than I can count - hope this new installment is just as good.

References

I have a confession to make. One of my least favorite things to do is look for visual references. Be it image-search engines, or taking my own photos - something about the process slows down my creativity and I just plain don't enjoy it.

They say that N.C. Wyeth had an incredible visual memory. Sure, he used plenty of his own references and props, but what made his illustrations so real and palpable were his observations of life. So what I've started doing over the last few years or so is study my surroundings no matter what I'm doing. If I'm walking in the park I'll take note of how sunlight and shadows play on the trunk of a tree, or if in a crowded store, take note of how people interact, or what body language they use if they're standing in groups (drawing group scenes has always been a challenge for me). I'm not memorizing these things - God knows I don't have the greatest memory in the world, but you will find these observations seeping into your drawings--and they will become more life-like. You can't always sketch with a pencil and paper, but you can always sketch with your eyes, right? Try it some time.

Desk Snapshot!

My desk as of 10:50pm. Sure to get messier as the night progresses....if that's possible.

Anyone else 'taste test' a little too much Halloween candy? Uggggggh!

Color Sketches Galore!

I'm finishing up the last painting for "The Little Green Pea" and will be switching gears to a pen and ink style for "Raj The Book Store Tiger".

Travel and Sing

Just LOOK at this brilliant new blog!  My heart 'travels and sings' when I visit it.

Travel and Sing

Huzzah!

I received my copies of Jack and Jill magazine this past week! In addition to getting to illustrate a story, I ended up on the same page as a feature for a book by Phyllis Harris and her hubby, Bradley Harris: "My Brother and I"! Phyllis also designed the characters of Jack and Jill who make appearances throughout the magazine. Very, very adorable kids!

In other news I was very excited to receive the "I Love Your Blog" award from Erik Brooks!
I've been a fan of Erik's work for quite some time now so this was a very nice surprise. Thank you!

Illustration Friday: Strings

Okay, so this is just one string... I drew this on a little piece of elongated scrap watercolor paper. The stuff is so expensive, might as well use every inch of it right?  Miguel Rios III (the lab mouse) escaped from a shampoo testing facility. Thankfully the only side effect he got was smelling nice!

By the by, I've added a just-for-fun poll on the right side of my blog. Feel free to vote. If it works out I might make it a regular thing around Fox and Socks.

Send Your Stuff!

This is a reminder to all you aspiring illustrators out there to send your work out. Below is what the art director sees when you don't:

So get this book and get cracking! Go go go, this should have been done yesterday! :0)

A Little Dino

I made this for my niece who has the flu.

Barnyard Airtraffic

After eating half his bucket of Halloween candy, Billy had some very strange dreams that night...

More Color Studies

When starting a new book, I like to make sure I'm a hundred percent happy with the main character and how he interacts with minor characters. They have to have chemistry together just like actors in a good movie. I've experimented with tons of different character designs for the kids--some were shorter and more cartoony, while some were larger and more realistic. I changed the kitty (star of the show) around a lot as well. I do these quick color spots with my characters until something starts to come alive. When that happens I'm ready to go to final sketches.

Sketches!

Illustration Friday: Sugary

More Studies