Sometimes when I'm struck with artists block, all I need to kick start creativity again is to experiment with a new medium or revisit an old one. Yesterday, I decided to play with old school ink using a nib instead of Micron pens. I had forgotten how much fun (and sometimes frustrating) it is! Next I think I'll try out a dry brush ink technique and see what happens...

I worked more on this character design this week, and while I was happy with the stance and personality of the original sketch, I didn't quite know what to do with her hand. When I saw the Illustration Friday prompt for this week " search " it inspired me to take her Victorian-esque girl turned nautical traveler look a step further and give her a treasure map. 

I think she looks like she's ready for an adventure. What do you think?

Now she looks as if she needs a first mate side kick. Someone to get into a bit of trouble with. Hmm..

I worked more on this character design this week, and while I was happy with the stance and personality of the original sketch, I didn't quite know what to do with her hand. When I saw the Illustration Friday prompt for this week " search " it inspired me to take her Victorian-esque girl turned nautical traveler look a step further and give her a treasure map. 

I think she looks like she's ready for an adventure. What do you think?

Now she looks as if she needs a first mate side kick. Someone to get into a bit of trouble with. Hmm..

If you read last week's post Never Stop Learning you know continually educating myself on my craft and striving for improvement is important to me. This year I decided to take my self tutoring a step further and dive into a Skillshare class. I probably never would have willingly paid for an online instruction before, but this one was special. This one was led by a talented artist whose work I'm familiar with, Charlie Bowater.
So I enrolled.

Since leaving university and office settings, I've learned this about myself: I thrive on deadlines. Without a deadline, self imposed or otherwise, I get distracted easily, and I really do think the pressure makes me work better. Charlie Bowater's class was the perfect opportunity to work on some skills I wanted to develop further in a deadline driven environment.

My goal is to create more relate-able characters that shine their personalities. This week I really like how my sketch for this girl turned out because she has an air of confidence that just radiates from her. I hope to do a few more people in the next few weeks and have a full cast of characters with very individual personalities.

If you read last week's post Never Stop Learning you know continually educating myself on my craft and striving for improvement is important to me. This year I decided to take my self tutoring a step further and dive into a Skillshare class. I probably never would have willingly paid for an online instruction before, but this one was special. This one was led by a talented artist whose work I'm familiar with, Charlie Bowater.
So I enrolled.

Since leaving university and office settings, I've learned this about myself: I thrive on deadlines. Without a deadline, self imposed or otherwise, I get distracted easily, and I really do think the pressure makes me work better. Charlie Bowater's class was the perfect opportunity to work on some skills I wanted to develop further in a deadline driven environment.

My goal is to create more relate-able characters that shine their personalities. This week I really like how my sketch for this girl turned out because she has an air of confidence that just radiates from her. I hope to do a few more people in the next few weeks and have a full cast of characters with very individual personalities.

The first time I attended college 14 years ago, I was a Studio Art major. I
very specifically remember one of my foundations professors made it a
requirement of his course to subscribe to an industry magazine. At the time, I  had no idea what I wanted to do as a career, all I knew is that I wanted to
create art.  I didn't know what niche magazine to choose, and I recall being
outraged that we were expected to spend money on something not technically an  art supply. 

I mean, have you seen the price tag on some of those? Some are over $100/yr  to subscribe, and here I  was a first semester art student still trying to  process the sticker shock of the dreaded Required Supplies list. (I still can't  wrap my head around ColorAid Swatches... just...WHY?) I thought, why do I have  to spend MORE money to learn something, when my professor, a supposed expert in  the field is here in front of me and already paid to educate me on the subject? 
 
I scoffed and chose to subscribe to the least expensive arts related  publication I could find. I didn't understand my professor's reasoning then, but  I certainly get it now. Now that I've changed paths (and colleges) a few times,
and then finally stepped off the trail to begin a journey in self-education it's  become so clear to me.  Books and lessons in the classroom are great to give you  a jumping off point but never never stop learning from your peers and
contemporaries.  I feel old saying this, but I've just warmed up to Twitter, podcasts, and Youtube for this exact reason. And Livestream? Where has this been all my life!  So many wonderful artists generously sharing their talents.

 Now that I understand the importance of keeping a pulse to the arts community, I make sure to remember the lessons of my old prof  and read an industry article every day.  In fact, it comes second only to "Draw Something"
on my daily to do list.  I find that inspiration comes from strange places sometimes, and the more I read and open my mind to, the more I gather fuel for my imagination.  I love children's books, but I also read articles on game creation, animation, visual development and environment design.  I may never draw a futuristic robot but that doesn't mean I can't learn something from those who do so masterfully.

Although, definitely not the whole list, here are a few of my go-to bookmarked favorites:

Magazines
Imagine FX Magazine Fantasy & SciFi Digital Art 
American Artist Magazine, particularly the Drawing issue 
Blue Canvas Magazine, features up-and-coming artists from the online community

Twitter
#kidlitart - a weekly topical chat with children's book enthusiasts, authors, and illustrators
#arttips - get great art tricks and tips from working artists as well as Art Directors

Podcasts
Chris Oatley's Art Cast, former artist for Disney
Katie Davis , children's book author/illustrator 

Livestreams
Noah Bradley - environment & concept artist known for Magic cards
Anthony Jones - concept artist for film & video games
Will Terry - children's book illustrator
Nathan Fowkes - visual development artist
James Gurney - children's book author/illustrator, plein-air artist
Concept Cookie - digital tutorials for concept artists

What are some of your favorite industry or peer resources?

The first time I attended college 14 years ago, I was a Studio Art major. I
very specifically remember one of my foundations professors made it a
requirement of his course to subscribe to an industry magazine. At the time, I  had no idea what I wanted to do as a career, all I knew is that I wanted to
create art.  I didn't know what niche magazine to choose, and I recall being
outraged that we were expected to spend money on something not technically an  art supply. 

I mean, have you seen the price tag on some of those? Some are over $100/yr  to subscribe, and here I  was a first semester art student still trying to  process the sticker shock of the dreaded Required Supplies list. (I still can't  wrap my head around ColorAid Swatches... just...WHY?) I thought, why do I have  to spend MORE money to learn something, when my professor, a supposed expert in  the field is here in front of me and already paid to educate me on the subject? 
 
I scoffed and chose to subscribe to the least expensive arts related  publication I could find. I didn't understand my professor's reasoning then, but  I certainly get it now. Now that I've changed paths (and colleges) a few times,
and then finally stepped off the trail to begin a journey in self-education it's  become so clear to me.  Books and lessons in the classroom are great to give you  a jumping off point but never never stop learning from your peers and
contemporaries.  I feel old saying this, but I've just warmed up to Twitter, podcasts, and Youtube for this exact reason. And Livestream? Where has this been all my life!  So many wonderful artists generously sharing their talents.

 Now that I understand the importance of keeping a pulse to the arts community, I make sure to remember the lessons of my old prof  and read an industry article every day.  In fact, it comes second only to "Draw Something"
on my daily to do list.  I find that inspiration comes from strange places sometimes, and the more I read and open my mind to, the more I gather fuel for my imagination.  I love children's books, but I also read articles on game creation, animation, visual development and environment design.  I may never draw a futuristic robot but that doesn't mean I can't learn something from those who do so masterfully.

Although, definitely not the whole list, here are a few of my go-to bookmarked favorites:

Magazines
Imagine FX Magazine Fantasy & SciFi Digital Art 
American Artist Magazine, particularly the Drawing issue 
Blue Canvas Magazine, features up-and-coming artists from the online community

Twitter
#kidlitart - a weekly topical chat with children's book enthusiasts, authors, and illustrators
#arttips - get great art tricks and tips from working artists as well as Art Directors

Podcasts
Chris Oatley's Art Cast, former artist for Disney
Katie Davis , children's book author/illustrator 

Livestreams
Noah Bradley - environment & concept artist known for Magic cards
Anthony Jones - concept artist for film & video games
Will Terry - children's book illustrator
Nathan Fowkes - visual development artist
James Gurney - children's book author/illustrator, plein-air artist
Concept Cookie - digital tutorials for concept artists

What are some of your favorite industry or peer resources?

With an Illustration Friday prompt like "Reflect" and the New Year fast approaching, I can't help but think back over the past year.

This year would have been my last year in Art School, but for various reasons, I decided to step away from school. It was a hard decision at first, but reflecting on the year, I think it's was exactly what I needed.

I enjoy the predictability of academic drawing and now I can see that can be both good and bad. It wasn't until I stepped away from it, and out of my comfort zone, that I could find my own style. 

Taking a moment to reflect on the past year I realized (or remembered, depending how you look at it):
Sometimes it's more fun to ignore the 'rules' and just play in your sketchbook.


 

With an Illustration Friday prompt like "Reflect" and the New Year fast approaching, I can't help but think back over the past year.

This year would have been my last year in Art School, but for various reasons, I decided to step away from school. It was a hard decision at first, but reflecting on the year, I think it's was exactly what I needed.

I enjoy the predictability of academic drawing and now I can see that can be both good and bad. It wasn't until I stepped away from it, and out of my comfort zone, that I could find my own style. 

Taking a moment to reflect on the past year I realized (or remembered, depending how you look at it):
Sometimes it's more fun to ignore the 'rules' and just play in your sketchbook.


 

I did a little Black Friday shopping for myself this year and ordered some goodies. My new postcards came in the mail yesterday, but it's the new business cards I'm most excited about.

This is the first time I've splurged for a double-sided business card and I'm so glad I did! With one side for contact information and the other side serving almost as a mini postcard featuring my sketches and website address, it turned out perfectly.

Now I need to get to work finishing up my mailing list and sending these out. Right after I finish sending out my procrastinated Christmas cards.. How did the holidays sneak up on me this year?  

I did a little Black Friday shopping for myself this year and ordered some goodies. My new postcards came in the mail yesterday, but it's the new business cards I'm most excited about.

This is the first time I've splurged for a double-sided business card and I'm so glad I did! With one side for contact information and the other side serving almost as a mini postcard featuring my sketches and website address, it turned out perfectly.

Now I need to get to work finishing up my mailing list and sending these out. Right after I finish sending out my procrastinated Christmas cards.. How did the holidays sneak up on me this year?  

I was playing with ideas in my sketchbook for a Young Adult (YA) book, and it just so happens to fit with this week's Illustration Friday prompt, "Hidden".
I wanted to do something a little darker, more geared for a slightly older audience of the YA group.
This is just a rough comp as I was trying to figure out the colors I wanted to use and where. I hope to polish this image this week, and also create some accompanying spot illustrations for imaginary chapter breaks in this fake book.
Would you pick it up and read it if this image was on the cover? Would you wonder about her, where she came from, and where she's going enough to be compelled to read her story based on this image?

What could be more "Fresh" than a spring day, and the sun breaking through after the rain!

I took inspiration from Illustration Friday this week to digitally color a long neglected line work piece in Photoshop. This was the result. I must say, the more I play with layering color, the more I'm drawn to the idea of learning traditional watercolor wash techniques. I think that is now on my Goals for 2014 list, for sure.

I'm not sure if I will be lucky enough to make it to the regional Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference this year, but I've decided to follow a raffle drawing contest the MD /DE /WV SCBWI is conducting anyway. It includes illustration assignments based on creative prompts so I've decided to use these to have a little fun and experiment a bit.  After a lazy summer, I could use a little push to create some new work, anyway!

Conference Illustrator Challenge #1:
Depict a window scene – show both inside and out.

So many times, female children's book characters are pigeon-holed into a stereotypes: girly or tom-boy. A lot of kids may lean one way or the other but my daughter -- the strongest, wildest, spirited girl I know -- happens to be in between. She loves to play legos and toy soldiers, happily explores the dirt and inspects bugs, but also just happens to love anything that sparkles, and may in fact be a glam accessory addict.  She's the best hybrid there is, a mix of that stereotypical tomboy and girly-girl that will some day rule the world!
This is my sketch of a feisty girl that reminds me of her for this week's Illustration Friday word, Hybrid.

Refresh my memory. Was she ever that little?

This week for illustration friday I revisited a piece I made years ago for the Illustration Friday prompt 'pale'.  My daughter was a wide eyed 3 years old at the time and I was just beginning to understand how very different adult proportions were from a child's.  The piece on the left was created crudely in graphite and watercolor.  I understand now that I have much to learn (and want to learn!) about the medium of watercolor, but I'm holding out until I can receive professional instruction to use watercolor again. Until then, I used faux watercolor in my second drawing on the right. Those paint drips are actually hand drawn in colored pencil and I'm really loving the effect.

In the years between these artworks I have practiced and drawn constantly, taking classes towards a degree in illustration I hope will lead me to a career as a children's illustrator.  I look at these two works side by side and I can see just how far I've come. And just how much she has grown. The bittersweet passage of time. 

I've been playing around more with color and trying out different techniques digitally. This week's Illustration Friday sketch went surprisingly quickly, but mostly because I decided to keep the majority of the blue. I really love the graphic quality it lends to the illustration. It feels like a nod to the great Coles Phillips this way.

A getaway was much needed after a hectic couple of months, so I headed out to a cabin for the weekend.  To my surprise our closest neighbor )or should I say neeeeiiiggghhhhh-bor?) was a horse who resided a mere 6 feet from our cabin. He was so beautiful and calm I couldn't help but visit him frequently during the day.  Having spent almost no time with animals larger than a dog in my life, it was really fascinating to watch his mannerisms.

Being that this week's Illustration Friday drawing prompt was "Faded" it made me think of faded denim. My winding and wandering thought pattern led me to this image of a farmer boy, barefoot in faded denim overalls, attempting to persuade a serene horse to eat.

I drew it entirely in graphite, since that's all I took with me to the cabin, and then once I returned to civilization I decided to work more on digital painting techniques and colored it in Photoshop.

This week's illustration topic prompt was "Sight". I decided to have some fun with it and try out some sketching with my Wacom tablet and Corel Painter. One of my goals is to learn more digital coloring  techniques in Painter this summer. I had fun with this quick little sketch about 'sight'. Since I'm a monocular illustrator, my character donned the patch with irony (if you have to wear it, might as well make it useful for holding colored pencils).

"No eyes that have seen beauty ever lose their sight."   ~Jean Toomer

Well, hello.
I thought it about time that I officially introduce myself. You've no doubt poured over my website, reading every bit of rambling text and admired every artwork by now, right? Ahem. So lets assume, you already know I'm passionate about art and in particular illustrations for children.  What can I tell you that you don't already know? Well, how about the process.

Although many artists these days are abandoning the pencils and brushes for more digital mediums, I still cling to my sketchbook and more traditional mediums. That's not to say I haven't ventured to color an illustration digitally, I do, I just like to keep the end result 'close to the sketchbook'.

What does this mean? Well, often there are imperfections. My illustrations have charming flaws, like one ink line that's less than straight where the sneeze snuck up on me.  I prefer this relaxed look over smooth bezier curves and vectors.  To me, it seems more relatable to children.  Most cannot pick up a stylus and tablet to create a digital painting, but all have wielded markers and colored pencils.

While my work is created with the intent of being accessible to children, it by no means is juvenile.  The final illustration is often the result of dozens of sketches, revisions, and pots of coffee.  To give you an idea of what goes into an illustration, I've created a graphic that breaks down the process into simple steps. Of course, the process would be different depending on the medium or if the piece is to be in color, but you get the gist. The point being, a lot of thought and love goes into every illustration I make.