Here's a chance to see art studios in Port Townsend. We were told to leave them as messy as when we're working in them, because visitors said they were too clean last year. So I'm working on making this one PT grunge. Come visit Saturday and Sunday August 21 and 22, 2010 from 10-4pm Kids can come make a collage illustration too. Come and mess around!

The SCBWI winter conference was fabulous. The Illustrator's Intensive day gave everyone a chance to see how over 100 illustrators would each illustrate the same topic. It was fascinating to see how each person created an image completely different from everyone else.
There's no point repeating what has already been said. Check out their blogsite:
http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/

Wishes for a happy new decade, with a child's ability to find joy in simple pleasures!

Just started a web forum for illustrators called Rendered Speechless Illustration. It's a place for illustrators to gather for fun and inspiration. If you are an illustrator, we'd love to have you join. Find a comfy chair and join us!
Rendered-Speechless.ning.com

Wishing you peace, happiness, and health. May you have enough time with those you love to feel connected and comforted, and enough time in quiet solitude to reflect on life.

These two sisters are just starting their journey together, but they have already learned something about collaboration that we all should know! And besides, they are just plain cute!

The Selfish Giant has banished children from his garden and built a wall to keep them out. When Spring arrives in the countyside, his garden remains snowy and cold. He is rethinking how he has affected the world around him.

The story is by Oscar Wilde.

The egg family has gone on a journey. Happily, the word has spread that child car seats save lives, because life is fragile, and eggs know this only too well!!

Here's how I work when creating an illustration. First, I generate lots of ideas in thumbnail sketches. I try to not get stuck on the first idea that comes to mind, as better ones may come up after some thought. The thumbnails are small versions in the same proportions as the final illustration. Time is well spent creating thumbnails. Usually there will be more than one idea that makes a good composition, and that can be developed too.

Next, I paint a value study in the same media I plan to use for the illustration.

Then I paint two or three color studies using the value study for a guide.


And finally, I make a pencil sketch, sometimes ink it with waterproof ink, and paint the illustration. A few changes can be made to composition at this point, but not too many for it to work.

Might be shoeless in Seattle, but these just wait patiently for a walk!

We'd better warn Jack of what's to come. I don't think he's read the story.

Here's an Ogre, or is it Oh Grrr, who has spent too much time shoveling snow this winter, and now apparently is deceased! Oh Dear.

Green Bunny and his friends, Kitty, and Robot are not too busy for cookies. The story is a twist on a folk tale. Green Bunny is real however. First, he was a dream. Then he became a green fleece stuffed animal for a child. Now he has a life of his own.
The illustration is done in gouache and ink.

Wishing everyone a healthful, joyful, peaceful, creative 2009. May your Muse be with you in all that you do!