© copyright Alicia Padron
Hello There!
This is an illustration I worked on at the end of last year. I usually do book work but this project was a little different. They contacted me asking if I wanted to create a logo for a non-profit organization. It was for such a beautiful cause.. I just couldn't say no. :o)
I can't say which organization just yet but I'll post about it once I have green light.
It was important for me to convey warmth, coziness, love and security in this illustration and I wanted it to be appealing to kids at the same time. I love drawing bunnies and they seemed appropriate for this.So bunnies it is!
I've also been working on several different magazine projects which is new to me and I have to say a lot of fun! I love how fast paced they are compared to a book for example. I will share some of that as we get closer to publishing dates.
Also I recently finished a new board book for babies, one of my favorite types of books to illustrate. :o)
For this year I hope to have time to work on one of my dummies and to create new work for my portfolio. Published illustrations work for the portfolio too but I think is important to create new artwork specifically for the portfolio. Sometimes what a particular house wants in a book is great for the book but not enough for a portfolio. You know what I mean? Portfolio images have to have tons of story telling and have to grab you immediately.
Working on dummies is time consuming and hard work. I don't know why but I am always so insecure with my dummies. Maybe is because I have so many alternatives that can change that is hard to make up my mind? I am the writer, illustrator and art director in a sense.. too many people in my head! Haha.. Sometimes I think I have to go ahead with the best idea I can and just go for it.. even though I'm such a scary cat.
How about you? It is hard to work on dummies too or just a breeze? If it's the second one, please share your secret.. I need help. ;o)
© copyright Alicia Padrón 2012
from La Flor Aventurera -SM
Hello there! I have been sick in bed for weeks and finally feel better!It's so wonderful to feel good... We take it for granted at times.
I haven't been able to do much work but I did manage to update my website. I had way too may illustrations on my color portfolio and added a few new pieces too. I changed my book section as well.
I'm working on a postcard to send out and still working on my dummy.I find that it's not so easy to work on my dummy. I've been changing my mind a lot lately regarding perspectives and compositions. Maybe it's because I'm so nervous about it? I don't know.
I do know it's very different to illustrate our own words compared to someone else's for some reason. Think it has to do with the fact that there are endless possibilities coming all from one single head. ;o)
Hope you are all good, healthy and being creative!
© copyright Alicia Padrón 2012
Yay! I just finished this book a day before the deadline! It turn out really beautiful. I can't wait to see it again when it's out and in the form of a book! Above is a little snippet, this is all I can show. I took this pic while painting one of the spreads.
Boy, I am beat.
No matter how prepared you are or how well you think you handle your time, those last days before a deadline are always mad crazy. And you can't forget about all those important things in life you can't stop doing like driving kids to school, cooking, cleaning, lunch boxes, Dr. appointments, trips to the supermarket, singing lessons.. etc, etc, etc.
So, what now?
Well, first I plan to rest, hee.. and then get to work on my dummy! I have a wonderful story that both my agent and I are really excited about. I can't wait to dummy it up and send it out into the world. Eeek.. ! Just the thought of that makes me awfully nervous.
But first, I need a 24 hour nap. :oD
© copyright Alicia Padrón 2012
Here's a little peek at a book I'm working on at the moment.
It's the sweetest book I tell you... and such a joy for me to get to work on it. :o)
© copyright Alicia Padrón 2011
I'm working on a beautiful story. I'm at the painting phase right now and loving it. I decided to work on this book in a style a bit more freely than usual if you know what I mean. I thought the story called for it. Sort of like let the sketch lines show through that type of thing. Let's see how it turns out.
When I paint I love to listen to music. Blind Pilot is what's keeping me company these mornings.
I can't say much about the project yet but I can say this book will be in Spanish. :o)
I'm also very excited about some other news... I will post about that when everything is settled.
Well, like pig, I'm grabbing my brush instead of a shovel and I'm getting back to work.
Wish you all are well.
Working hard towards your dreams I hope? :o)
Oh my goodness, I haven't posted in quite a while..
I'm at one of those times where I just have a few minutes of the day to just sit and relax. I'm busy working on 3 books plus regular life work, house work and mommy duties. So brushing my hair is a luxury these days for me.. LOL.
But that's how it is when you are working on this field. Sometimes is quiet and slow other times is just nuts and we end up crazy busy. It's a weird lifestyle but I don't think I would ever change it for anything else.
Here is a small section of an illustration from one the board books I'm working on at the moment. The publisher decided to go with a much younger baby and we ended up not using this baby for the book. So I think it is ok for me to post it and share it with you all.
Hugs to all! :o)
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It looks like you've been busy! Book dummies are hard, and take a lot of time. Especially fitting the story into a set number of pages.
I often do quick storyboards on paper (many squares on a page) to work out ideas, then do a bigger version when I have it worked out. It's also good to set it aside for a few days, then come back to it for an objective view.
How very charming and lovely!
our little granddaughter loves bunnies.
Both children really like your Christmas book!
oxox
Thanks John! I agree, dummies are hard. I work very small at the beginning too but have a hard time deciding from tons of thumbnails, hehe. But I know that's the way to go. I like the setting aside idea for a while and the come back to it with fresher eyes. :)
Aww thank so much Elizabeth! I'm thrilled to hear that. Xo :)
This is so lovely, Ali. Dummies are hard! I'm by no means an expert, but my 1st finished one was soooo much work (and rework!) - mostly bc the manuscript just wasn't strong enough until many versions deep. For my 2nd (nearly!) finished one, it was SO much easier because I took much more care with each step. I wrote, and thought, and edited, and thought. When it was just right, I put my illustrator hat on, and STILL kept thinking. Then the drawing, thumbnails, etc, all came together MUCH easier (and stronger, I think). Everyone finds the best process for them, and you will in time too. Just keep at it, because there is so much heart and joy in your illustration, that it's only a matter of time before we are buying your 'written and illustrated by' book.
Thank you sweetie! :o)
I've seen some of your dummies and they are wonderful. It's great that you find you learned from your first one and the second one came more smoothly. For the one I'm working on, I have the manuscript down so that's good! I just have to have more faith like you said need to keep on working on the scenes. I'll keep at it. Thank youuuuu xo.