Summary: "Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery."
Seeing the movie trailer for, "Hugo" reminded me of my wonderful experience when I attended the 2007 NY SCBWI conference.
Author/Illustrator, Brian Selznick, was one of the speakers and he was riveting as he shared his story of creating such an interesting book. Brian was down to earth and transparent, leaving me encouraged and motivated.
I guess the closest I can compare, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, is to a graphic novel but not quite. Many pages are purely illustrative, especially in the beginning of the book and then less as the characters develop. Brian's illustrations are beautifully rendered in dark pencil using
interesting perspectives to create drama and emotion in an innovative way.
Don't be put off by the size of the book. Although the book is thick, it is a quick read due to his heavy use of illustration. the first 22 pages are illustrations alone. I remember reading it on the airplane ride home, I couldn't put it down.
I would highly recommend especially before seeing the flick. I hope it does Brian's book justice and even if doesn't, who cares. Can
Always keep the beautiful memories alive.
xo
This weekend I worked on a request by a publisher for vector art samples in a thick line style. It has been nearly a year since I worked in Adobe Illustrator so I spent the weekend relearning. I had heard through the grapevine of illustrators playing with the "blob tool" in AI Cs5 and looked into updating my Cs4 version. The $650.00 price changed my mind real quick. Bummed, I went to youtube to see how it worked anyway. I couldn't believe it when I found a tutorial by someone using the Cs4 version of AI.
Sure enough, I had the tool all along and never knew about it.
And it lives up to the hype. Instead of working directly with bezier curves you can draw the points (and erase them) as if you are playing in photoshop.
What a time saver. And fun!
Happy Tuesday all. Here is another piece I did for my portfolio. I really enjoy illustrating puzzles, crafts and games, I'm discovering.
(Today we have a guest blogger, my daughter, Emily.
Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a signed copy of your very own!)
I love this book! I love the way the writing and the illustrations worked so well together. After seeing the cover, I was already tied in. From the beginning, it was a great book. I loved how the boy started off wanting a puppy so badly, but once he got him, he wasn’t what the boy was expecting at all. As the book went on, the boy found things about the puppy that absolutely amazed him. In the end, the boy and the puppy were the best of friends. The illustrations that Deborah Melmon did for the story were great! After seeing them, there was no way I could imagine the story illustrated by anyone else. The pictures complimented the story, and kept me hooked. Great job!
More from Will Terry. Love watching these. Tempted to take one of his classes. =o)
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting Maine for the week. What a beautiful state! I like collecting little tourist trinkets -typical stuff-to mark memories. I bought a key chain, wine stopper, a hoodie and coffee mug. Also found a lovely piece of lavendar sea glass by the sea!
But what I'd really like to recommend doing when traveling, is collecting a children's book from the area. While shopping I found some lovely books that represented Maine nicely. My favorite,though, was "
Journey around Maine A to Z" written and illustrated by Martha Day Zschock.
Martha's lyrical water color illustrations work so well with her equally lyrical text, sharing fun factoids and family fun attractions in Maine. Although this is geared for children, I found it just as beguiling a read. Sure, you can find a good sightseeing, touristy book but there's nothing like a well written and illustrated pb to treasure. I know, I'm biased. =o)
Martha has written a series of "journey around" books including Boston, Nantucket, Chicago and Washington DC. I may have to start traveling to collect her books.
I came across the most delightful book the other day. "Press Here" by Herve Tullet.
I thought, An interactive book with dots? Will this really keep a childs attention?
Well, I can't speak for the kiddo's but it certainly captured mine. Herve uses simple painted dots on a page and gives the reader directions to follow with the result on the following page.
"Press here and turn the page," "Great! Now press the yellow dot again." A third yellow dot appears beside the first two. "Perfect," the narrator continues. "Rub the dot on the left... gently." And so it goes.
I felt a bit silly in the kids section shaking a book with adults around me, but it was fun and I couldn't help myself.
I would have bought this for my children in a heart beat when they were small. I can just picture a child reading/playing this again and again. IMHO, it's a perfect read aloud with a group of kids (kids will be fighting for a turn to participate) or a one on one experience with your child in your lap.
Love it!
When I first started illustrating with felt, I did everything traditionally. I loved working this way but always had a yearning to work digitally. But, I just didn't know where I fit in that realm. It took some time (years) but I eventually developed a digital method that reflected my felt style. I love working this way! I have more freedom with colors and it has helped me immensely as far as flexibility when it comes to revisions/deadlines.
I thought I'd share the process with you.
First, of course, comes the sketch. Here is a doggie from a project I worked on recently.
I take my sketch into photoshop and block out the colors using the pen tool. These colors are not set in stone and are there really just as a marker for when I "felt" the illustration in the next step.
After the colors are blocked in, I "felt" the picture. My files get very large because I have every part of the dog on a separate layer. I take my scanned pieces of felt ( I have a folder full of felt swatches) and replace the colored areas with it.
At this point, I add a drop shadow to each layer and that's when it takes on the depth of my traditional felt.
And here he is all finished. After I add the drop shadows, I go over the top with "stitches" and other little digital touches (like blushing the cheeks). It's funny, I
always leave the faces til last when I'm working. For me, that's when the image really comes to life and is done. I like to save the best for last, I guess.
Hi everyone,
I didn't really know what to post so I thought I'd share a site that I am visiting today.
I'm searching color palettes using, "colour lovers". I like how you can just type in a theme word and all kinds of goodies pop up. And hey, if you come up with a palette that you want to share, you can do that too. Very cool tool, check it out.
<3
I have always been fascinated when authors talk about the music they listen to when they write and how it enhances their work. I don't use music to inspire ideas, however I do have a routine when I work. Do you?
When I'm sketching I prefer to have music playing or a tv show that I don't necessarily need to "follow" too closely (usually sitcoms). My focus is completely on the sketch and I don't "hear" anything, including my family. They like to mess with me during this phase and test me with my "fake listening". I get caught every time. :o)
When I'm working on final art, then the fun begins. Right now, my favorite work companion is NetFlix. I enjoy finding a series or a good movie that can take me through the project. I like that I can look at my work and remember what I was watching during a particular assignment. =o)
For example, whenever I think about the Science at home book, it takes me right back to "Lost". I spent weeks watching the entire series back to back. I loved the sound of the ocean waves playing in my ear while I toiled away at that book.
Right now I'm working on a project for Highlights, High Five and I know I will always be reminded of the British detective series that I'm "flixing". Fun stuff.
I'd love to hear your routines.
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Thanks for the plug Roz! Maurice may be next on deck...or that Panda Bear I am so fond of....
;-)