That's a long time to go without updates, sheesh. Apologies. Busy, busy, busy.
So, here's a recent sketchbook snippet just so this space doesn't look quite so abandoned.
I am still experimenting with various forms of scratch techniques in Painter. This is from an image I created for "My African Bedtime Rhymes" by Brettell Hone. I like the way the black can soften the hippo's skin and the overall effect. I'll play around with this more but there are only certain subjects that seem to be good candidates for this sort of work.
New Book Releases to go with the Billboard Release
Shellless
Jirst Bluefin's biggest problem is being ignored. Kacela Middleton is the one person in the world who is never ignored. Jirst is about to discover that sometimes it's better to be ignored for no reason than it is to be ignored for nothing at all.
The Metal Marble
Tucker's Aunt Nyce is his mom's little sister only she isn't that little and she isn't that nice. He has to get used to it though because he's stuck working at her beach restaurant The Crab & Grab.
Booth books coming soon on Amazon!
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Looks like somebody doesn't know he'll need to be rescued come November. Or maybe he does, he's just in denial.
All that painting I've been doing in the wee hours of the night, well, here is the result, a new look for Laini's Ladies, which after five years in the marketplace I thought were ready for an overhaul (though the traditional LL line will remain). The basic idea is the same -- ladies with quotes -- but the look is quite different. They involve a lot more paint and actual hand-making and less digital. Fun! Here are four, and I'm not sure right now what direction they will go in as far as development into a manufactured line (that is under discussion), but I am making them available in MY NEW ETSY SHOP as 11x14 prints!
Here they are:
The quote reads: "I am so happy, I cannot be contained in the world. I have blossomed so much, I am the envy of gardens." - Rumi
Quote reads: "Ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you." - Hafiz (And on her palm is the tiny greeting, "Hi!."
Obviously "happy" is a big theme for me right now. I can't help it. I'm all about the happy. I just love the word "happy." (Jim proposed it as a baby name, and though I did have a good friend in college named Happy Hawkes, and I do think it is an adorable name, I wasn't sold on it.)
11 Comments on New Art Prints Available!!!, last added: 3/30/2010
Oh goodness. It has been over a month, a month? since I've posted and I'm so sorry. That means I've done NO book review Wednesdays for a month. Ack. (And I thought those would keep me blogging.) March has been a month of deadlines and to excuse my absence I quickly fill you in on some of the deadlines that I've been meeting and working towards. If you follow me on Facebook, you've probably see a lot of this already so my apologies.
March 1: Final illustrations for the book Fufu and Fresh Strawberries You can see some of those illustrations here.
Forum assignment for my Picture Book Certification Semester at Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA)
March 15: Final egg paintings for the Great Goose Egg Auction. You can see the eggs here.
March 17: My 2nd packet was due for VCFA
March 22: Forum assignment for my Picture Book Certification Semester at VCFA
March 23: I did my first multisport event. An indoor triathlon at the Naval Air Station Brunswick. The event was a 1000 meter row on an ergometer, a 5 mile bike on a stationary lifefitness cycle, and a 1.5 mile treadmill run. You can see pictures of me and Mike (the gentleman paired with me) in the event and read more about it in the captions here. I used this indoor triathlon to train for an event that I am doing in May, The Tri for the Casco Bay Y. If you'd like to donate a small bit to the scholarship funds and to my team the MIghty Mamas, please take a look at our fund raising page where you can donate online. I'll be swimming and cycling and my friend Rachel will tag off to do the 5K run.
This past week I've been revising and polishing the first 10 pages of my novel, working on the synopsis and query letter for the deadlines associated with the New England SCBWI spring conference critiques and quick queries. While the Friday and Saturday registration is full, there are still spots for Sunday so check it out.
I also just got back from the post office, where I was sending a picture book to for the April 1st scholarship deadline at VCFA and a trip to the library where I was stocking up with a new load of 25 picture books for VCFA Packet 3!
All of this with my husband out of state for the first three weeks of March and two kids who need me.
So you see, I've been an extremely busy Writer/Mom/Triathlete but we'll see if April, with its extended sunshine hours, allows me to find more time to blog. Happy Passover to all who celebrate. Look for my Wednesday review of the book: The Matzoh That Papa Brought Home.
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Yippee! Please Write Back! the newest Alfie the Alligator book is now available is stores. You can purchase it through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders or your local independent book seller. There is also a hardcover, library edition available.
I hope that you and your kids enjoy the book!
In April, the Charles M. Schulz Museum will exhibit the work of cartoonists whose comics take place in a specific setting.
The Language of Lines: Imaginary Places in the Comics
April 24 through August 23, 2010From the richly detailed flora and fauna of Pogo’s Okefenokee Swamp to the minimalist surroundings of Peanuts, cartoonists have created unique environments in which their characters live, work, and play. Among the most memorable comic strip locales are Li’l Abner’s Dogpatch, Krazy Kat’s Coconino County, and Beetle Bailey’s Camp Swampy. This is the final exhibition in the Language of Lines trilogy, co-curated by cartoon historian Brian Walker.
My current favorite artist, Richard Thompson, submitted several of his Cul de Sac comics along with this new and magnificent map of the suburb where they take place.
Even better, Mr. Thompson documented the process by which he created this illustration including the many visual references that he used (from Breugel to Minas Tirith to Mont St. Michel). Read all about it on his blog!
In April, the Charles M. Schulz Museum will exhibit the work of cartoonists whose comics take place in a specific setting.
The Language of Lines: Imaginary Places in the Comics
April 24 through August 23, 2010From the richly detailed flora and fauna of Pogo’s Okefenokee Swamp to the minimalist surroundings of Peanuts, cartoonists have created unique environments in which their characters live, work, and play. Among the most memorable comic strip locales are Li’l Abner’s Dogpatch, Krazy Kat’s Coconino County, and Beetle Bailey’s Camp Swampy. This is the final exhibition in the Language of Lines trilogy, co-curated by cartoon historian Brian Walker.
My current favorite artist, Richard Thompson, submitted several of his Cul de Sac comics along with this new and magnificent map of the suburb where they take place.
Even better, Mr. Thompson documented the process by which he created this illustration including the many visual references that he used (from Breugel to Minas Tirith to Mont St. Michel). Read all about it on his blog!
(Illustration by Melanie Matthews)
This week’s Weekend Forum is inspired by yesterday’s post, 15 Thriving Online Art Communities, where I highlighted some of the most active places where artists connect with each other and share ideas.
Today I’d like to invite you to share the ways that you prefer to interact with like-minded creators.
Do you have a favorite online art community?
Do you use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or other social network?
Do you join discussions on blogs like this one?
Do you participate in conventions, group shows, local critique groups, or other face-to-face events?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section of this post, and find out what your fellow artists have to say!
Special thanks to Melanie Matthews for contributing artwork for this post. Find out how you can show your Illustrations at EFII here.
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About Melanie Matthews: I am 22 years old, I live in Melbourne, Australia and I love to paint and draw. When I’m not drawing, you will probably find me reading, tinkering with websites, or relaxing with some videogames – I’m a bit of a geek at heart. My work is influenced by modern art and graphic design, children’s book illustrators from the 50’s and 60’s, retro cartoons and vintage cereal boxes.
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My eyes cannot unsee what has been seen, and now neither can yours. This rendition of Spongebob combines a real sponge, features of Tom Kenny (the voice of the character), and Madonna’s arms. The artist is Nicole Hamilton.
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W.W. Norton & Company are re-issuing the classic British early 20th Century novels about "Jeeves" - the uppity valet. (He is NOT a butler. Butlers manage the household, Valets manage the man!) This collection of several stories, called Just Enough Jeeves is the first in the series.
I liked both of the final sketches I sent, above. they picked the one with many different Jeeves, a challenge once I got past number 15, but really enjoyable to draw. The full cover including spine and back cover below.
Your child has to write a two page horror story for school. And she needs your help. Ooooweeeeee!!
I ask, "Can it be funny?"
"Eeeeeeyeahhhhhhhh!"
"Can it be illustrated?"
"No."
"Rats."
"Well...maybe. But I was thinking more like sadistic mice terrorizing a pet cat."
I was looking through some old stuff yesterday. Throughout my life I've always made books. Books of stuff. Books about nothing much. Just about life, I guess. I found this one which is about 15 years old. It's jam packed with drawings, photos, thoughts and ideas. I hadn't looked through it for years.
This page, particularly, made me smile. Not just because it looks like one of my drawings. And not just because Weller and Young can all be found amongst the stamps and other bits and pieces from places I've visited. But mostly because this is, without a doubt, my favourite photo of my mam and dad. Looking fabulous. Looking like a couple of young Mods.
I'm getting this urge. A feeling that I might just draw this entire page in one of my Moleskines.
Fred Fixler was a great art teacher from southern California who died Jan 21, 2010. He was a student of Frank Reilly, and brought much of his teaching as well as his own experience of illustration to his students.
On his official website is more about him, and some of the notes and handouts that he generously gave his students. One of them is a nice plane analysis of a head. If you wanted to sculpt a little 3D reference maquette of this head, it would be a good one to use for reference.
Fred Fixler
Thanks, Steve Kloepfer
Previously on GurneyJourney: Plane Heads, Character Maquettes, Reilly and Beyond
There is “No Escape” from the Ocular Invasion of Emory Allen!
Besides, who would want to escape? His typographic experiments that turn into illustrations, like “Eye Spy” below, are a real inspiration!
By accident or design, Allen seems to be carrying on the good work begun by Milton Glaser and the fellows at Pushpin Studios in the late ’50s – early’60’s.
I found Emory Allen via his contribution to MiRP
Emory Allen on Flickr and Twitter
Posted by Leif Peng on Drawn! The Illustration and Cartooning Blog |
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Tags: Emory Allen, illustrator, Ocular Invasion, Typography
Hi everyone! Here's something I did some time ago as an illustration for a book entitled Dos & Don'ts in Malaysia.
A note about the newer interface for this blog.... When uploading images you will see a new posting box. If you do not wish to upload via Picassa or a URL, please do this:
7 more days until I pick up my iPad. Thanks to Susan Pigott for pointing out this gorgeous Vaja cases for the iPad. I especially love the one that looks like a Moleskine.
To avoid overloading those of you who aren’t iPad fans, I’ve been pouring most of my iPad obsessings into my @iPadGirl Twitter account and iPad Girl blog, so feel free to follow me there.
I quite like this guy. Thanks for sharing him!