How to use this Page

Add a Comment

Hey Miffy you’re so fine. You’re so fine you blow my mind — hey Miffy! Or Nijntje, as this children’s book character by illustrator author Dick Bruna is known in Holland and much of Europe. She’s a girl who wears lightly the distinction of being, at least according to the London Telegraph the most popular rabbit in the world. There’s not a... Read More

The post Minimally drawn Miffy appeared first on How To Be A Children's Book Illustrator.

Add a Comment

Siena circa 2006

This is a crazy week of deadlines and prep to head out to Italy next week. To warm up since the weather has kept me from a lot of urban sketching (yes, I am a wimp when it comes to cold), I did this from my 2006 photos. Boy, my photos were mostly awful. I am glad to get a second chance. At least I have a better "real" camera now (sorry iPhone).

I just signed up for Vine video so I hope to show some little videos of the sketchbook panning to location.

I have got all my sketchbooks together and replenished some of the half pans in my watercolor set. I even got some ice-fishing fingerless gloves to use (I suspect it will still be a little chilly).

I am going with my mother, aunt and a couple cousins so it will be a fun trip, except for the fact that Italy currently has no pope, no government...  Interesting times...

Fortunately, our travel keeps us away from Rome, but my Aunt and cousins are meeting us in Florence via Rome. We are going via Milan because I have always wanted to go there. It is a design capitol of the world! Troy will be here in Cincinnati to hold down the fort.

Finally, here is a picture of our car Miffy from my sketchbook. She was doing that wonderful kneading the air thing. I am painting a lot of furry pawed critters this a year so it was good practice. Her fur is short enough that you can really see the toe/claw articulation.

Miffy, Always a Star...

Add a Comment

Miffy Watches the Snow

We got a little snow last week and I could not resist doing a quickie sketch of Miffy watching the snow fall. Both cats were at my painting studio windows. Spike ducks and paws at the window.

Display Comments Add a Comment

Spike gets into the Holiday spirit...

This is a crazy time of year with a lot of deadlines so this is a quick post. I am finishing another fun book for Sylvan Dell called the Fort on Fourth Street (images form this very soon when I have time to breathe) and starting some new and exciting projects as well.

Anyway, Happy Holidays! I will be revealing this year's card soon! As well as the Pop Smoothie Spectacular, Spectacular Holiday Special...

Miffy must know she is in this book and wants to provide reference...

Little watercolor I did for Troy's parents for Christmas with their adorable fox terrier Angie up front. No spoiler alert for them; they do not have computers or internet access... (They do have electricity though and phone service. They are not that old school.)

Display Comments Add a Comment

Boris and Spike

Boris and a little Miffy Sketch

In preparing for our journal workshop, many of the books about making journals have lovely cat studies so I decided to do some of my cats. 

Yes, Boris really looks like this. He is almost 17 and has been shaved because his fur gets severely matted. It gives him an odd appearance. He has a huge head and a little old man body underneath. Great for sketching cat anatomy...You can see every bone and muscle.

Display Comments Add a Comment

His name is Spike and he loves knawing on art books and terrorizing Miffy and Boris.

Hopefully, eating paintings will not be in his repertoire...

I suspect there will be a lot of cat hairs in the paint tho...

In other news, I just signed up with a sketch journal group through the Art Academy going to Taos, NM in June to take in the atmosphere and draw. I will keep you all posted. It is helmed by Amy Bogard who does really lovely journals of her life. I have been inspired by sites like http://www.urbansketchers.org/ and http://www.theydrawandtravel.com/

I recently posted my Greece Sketchbook. I am hoping that this will be an excuse to do more travel sketching and different techniques.

Add a Comment

Our cat Miffy is obsessed by the printer. For a while, she seemed to give up but now she is attacking again. Very funny...

Add a Comment

Maybe half a year ago I mentioned that Ms. Lucy Knisley had created a cartoon poster for the first four Harry Potter books.  Now with the final Potter movie coming out, the posters are at long last complete.  They follow the plots of the books, not the films, but the look of the characters can be amusingly cinematic at times.  And for the record, if I were a tattoo-minded dame, I would adore getting this image of Luna Lovegood and her pop.

But that’s not really my top news story of the day.  How could it be?  No the top news story is that it is once again time for the Summer Blog Blast Tour.  Twice a year a cadre of bloggers for child and teen books gather together to interview some of the luminaries in the field.  Chasing Ray has the round-up, so seek ‘em out and read ‘em up.  I know I will.

When I lived in London for a time (it was like a little Intro to New York) I would periodically buy the newest issue of Time Out London and find interesting places to visit.  One day the mag highlighted a toy museum.  It was called The Museum of Childhood and it was fascinating.  I was too intimidated to take any pictures, though, so I sort of forgot that I even went.  Years have passed and I see that author/illustrator David Lucas has also been to that same museum and he has written about it in the post What do TOYS Think of Us? Stick around for the moment when he starts talking about panpsychism.  Looking at all those ragamuffin bits of much loved cloth and felt reminds me of my library’s own original Winnie-the-Pooh.  He is, after all, of the British persuasion.

• Birthday party themes for kids abound.  My heart, however, belongs to any kid who opts for the theme of “librarian”.  There’s even a section discussing what such a party consisted of.  Just in case you need some pointers.  Big thanks to Jan Godown Annino for the link!

• Yay, Sunday Brunch!  Over at Collecting Children’s Books my partner in writing crime (we’re doing a Candlewick book with Jules from 7-Imp) has a delightful post that is well worth your time.  My favorite parts include the childhood of a future Brat Packer, a reason why Erin E. Moulton’s Flutter is unique, and a vote for “The Year’s Creepiest YA Novel.”  Hooked yet?

• Marci, this is for you. Remember how we were trying to figure out how one would go about creating Quidditch croquet?  Well . . .

• And since thi
  8 Comments on Fusenews: Croquet and Pentanque (together at last), last added: 7/13/2011
  Display Comments
  Gregory K. said, on 7/11/2011 10:53:00 PM
  

  That’s interesting about the Popularity Papers and the script. I wonder, though, if it’s more than unfamiliarity with script that was the problem: for a lot of folks with dyslexia and other visual processing issues, it really might be close to impossible to read a heavily script-y font. Which, of course, leads me to thinking that e-books would be a great solution to this: print it the way it makes the most sense (with the handwriting) but allow a speedy font change (or a readaloud or or or!).

  And thanks for running the picture of the dress. You’ve saved me embarrassment as I was going to wear that next time on the red carpet, but I guess it wouldn’t be fresh anymore….

  Amy said, on 7/12/2011 3:27:00 AM
  

  “This has been an excellent year for book dresses.” So true.

  Elizabeth Bird said, on 7/12/2011 5:53:00 AM
  

  Hm. You make a great point about script and dyslexia, Greg. I admit that that hadn’t occurred to me.

  Take in the seams and I bet you could still wear that dress too. Never lose hope!

  Peter said, on 7/12/2011 11:21:00 AM
  

  I was surprised that the Indiana story got so much press, as many schools haven’t taught cursive in decades. One article stated that 41 states no longer require cursive in the curriculum…though some school systems still choose to teach it. The dyslexia issue is a valid point, but I think in most cases these days kids simply don’t know it. I have an author friend who always begs her publishers not to put her titles on the cover in cursive “because kids cant’ read it.” And kids who send her fan letters frequently ask her not to handwrite her response because they simply don’t know how to read cursive.

  MR said, on 7/12/2011 1:52:00 PM
  

  My eight-year-old is reading The Popularity Papers and having trouble with the cursive, even though she learned cursive in school last year. The thing is that they push perfect handwriting so hard, she only knows how to read cursive that looks like the stuff on their worksheets. I tried to explain about everyone having different handwriting, and she was baffled, since her teacher made it clear that all handwriting was supposed to look exactly alike. Luckily The Popularity Papers is highly motivating, so she’s getting some practice deciphering!

  Marjorie (PaperTigers) said, on 7/12/2011 3:26:00 PM
  

  Whew, I feel dizzy! Thank you for this amazing round-up. Jumping in on the cursive discussion, it reminds me of when I was a child reading my dad’s old Babar book – I can still see myself sitting up in the huge old bed I slept in at my grandad’s house feeling sooo proud the day I could actually read it! And yes, the Museum is wonderful – thanks for pointing to the article.

  Cecilia said, on 7/12/2011 8:39:00 PM
  

  My students always start the year complaining that they can’t read cursive, and then when I write directions on the board, I sneak in cursive letters here and there and they are fine. By January I’m writing entirely in cursive and they can read everything. Unfortunately there is nowhere near enough time in the day to fully teach both cursive and typing, and cursive is usually the one that gets short-changed. Thanks for the Museum of Childhood link–one of my favorite places in London!

  marchek said, on 7/13/2011 9:06:00 AM
  

  Hahaha! Yay quidditch croquet! Thanks

  Add a Comment

My new little furry assistant. She likes to chew on and bat at paint brushes... She also changes the TV channel. (Animal Plannet yes, Real Housewives, not so much...)

Add a Comment

Exercise in graphic simplification.

More voxel imagery at Sevensheaven.nl

Add a Comment