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Getting this Redwall painting ready to offer at my ETSY shop. I love drawing otters!

Hi Everybody. I am so happy to be part of this blog.

Above is a watercolor and colored pencil painting that I did recently to represent me as a character. I like otters and I like to paint, seemed like a good match.

Arches watercolor paper is my preference. Anywhere from 140 to 300 lb. cold press. I've try out other papers from time to time but always end up back with Arches. It seems to be the only paper that can take how rough I can be with it. I like to rub away and scratch into it, glue things on it, and have been known to take very fine sandpaper into a wash for a textural effect. Prismacolor is my favorite color pencil; they have a rich creamy pigment. And lastly, my first choice for watercolor pigments are Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors, then Da Vinci Artist's Quality Watercolor, and at the moment I am fairly happy with Holbein Artists Watercolor. Anyone else really meticulous about their brushes? I can't walk into an art store without having a good look at brushes (though I am always on the look out for a premium drawing pencil). Having said that, I take very good care of my brushes and have brushes I still paint with that are 15 years old.

By Pheobe Vreeland, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 10, 2010

Otter Moon

by Tudor Humphries

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Boxer Books (September 1, 2009)

Source: Publisher

Tudor Humphries illustrations swiftly draw the reader into the natural world of Otter.  His watercolor pallet is masterfully used to take us from the pink hues of dusk, far into the inky blue nighttime and velvety depths of the river and finally back again to the warmth of sunrise.

On the opening page Otter is perched in his secret place, a tree limb above the water, watching the full moon rise into the dusk sky.  Day has come to its end and Kingfisher hurries home to bed. However, for nocturnal Otter his work has just begun.  He has been tasked to catch a fish for the King Otter:

“Catch me a fish and it had better be on a silver dish. I want my dinner by first light!”

Humphries has drawn the Otter King lurching out of the river, dragon-like with tumultuous clouds looming in the background.  Young Otter quivers at this fearsome sight.  Descriptively named Flibbertigibbet, Otter is a playful young creature, distracted by the newts and froglets, and overwhelmed by the King’s demands.

Yet, Flibberty is in luck.  Heron comes to his aid, advising him to use his eyes, use his wits and head downstream.  Guided by his ally, Flibberty swims on through the night.  Throughout the long journey, Heron is there to remind him to keep his mind on the goal, assuring him, “Find the dish and then you will find the fish!”

Humphries’ underwater illustrations show both the aqueous movement of the otter below and the light of the full moon and soaring heron above.  The pair is not immediately successful. Their goal is as allusive and slippery as the watery world. The night is a long one of perseverance and teamwork.  Heron watches over Otter and shares his eel supper to fortify the young hunter on his journey.  Assonance and word play make the story flow as the reader follows the animals down the splish-splashy river chasing the glimmer and shimmering of silver.

The story also takes young readers through a nice range of emotions from Flibberty’s sense of helplessness to optimism, as well as self-pity and fear. First light arrives and still no dish, no fish!  And yet, it is when Flibberty courageously climbs out of the river at daybreak to face the Otter king empty-handed, that our young hero triumphs. The story teaches of the magic that transpires when one has faith, perseverance and true friendship.

Otter Moon is the timeless story of youth being tasked with a challenge and a wise ally aiding him. The natural world is set in context with our world as we see bridges crossing the river in the distance on several pages.  Otter Moon has all the elements of a perfect bedtime story—transition from day to night, a loveable animal hero and his guardian angel Heron on a magical journey and of course a victorious ending.

Add this book to your collection: Otter Moon

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

*****  

It's monday...And I am trying to get back into the swing here..
I noodled out one bear during lunch and spent a fem minutes here and there this afternoon modifying that one bear. It's just silly. But, I though it would make cool wall paper for a kids room if i messed with the designs a bit more...

If you like bears please be my honored guest at, http://gogopedro.blogspot.com/ this blog is still pretty young, but it should improve with age....

P