A Nice Weekend

Well, this weekend was fantastic!

After plotting out my painting, I went with Josh to spend a work-day with David Chelsea at his home. What a lovely time! David Chelsea has wonderful taste in music and a lovely home... :) His wife Eve is sweet, too! I managed to paint my painting there and also spend some time with some very talented people... it was a blast!

I also managed to get a lot done today (more personal things, like laundry and grocery shopping) but it's always nice when Monday comes along and you know you accomplished a lot over the weekend. I'm sure when I am able to take on freelancing or children's books more fulltime, there may not really be a "weekend" per say, but I still enjoy the feeling of it.

In any case, I hope you all like the painting... It's not perfect, but it was fun to do... and I like these two characters quite a bit. Maybe someday I can get something written for them... who knows! :)

A Painting in Progress...

Well, I was doodling along this night and couldn't shake how much I enjoyed sketching that bear from my previous post... so I made up this girl and recently read a little from Winnie-the-Pooh and missed that kind of relationship Pooh had with Christopher... from there I started thinking of Toot & Puddle... I wanted to draw something with a child/young adult who has a special friendship. I imagined this little girl, much like Eloise, with too much money, who be-friends this bear that maybe never went to Paris... and so Charlotte should take Rue there and go shopping... and maybe have some adventures?

Anyway, that's where I am so far...

I am posting the sketches that inspired me and then the drawing so far on the watercolor paper... there's a lot of work still to do!

But ... I am happy to do it!

A happy reminder...

I have been sketching over the past couple days some character roughs for a new manuscript... and also just sketches for fun...

I was going to post some life drawing sketches that I did one night when Josh and I went to Starbucks to draw people, but I think I may do that at a later date.

I have also been battling a major slump so I'm happy that I was able to get some fun sketches in that I really enjoyed drawing.

It's always so relieving when you find your "art hand" back in play and I just remember how there is nothing quite like drawing for fun. I am hoping to have a special spark fly so I can make some time to do a last personal painting before I get too busy with this book.

Speaking of the book I am working on, I so far have only just signed and returned the contract, as well as read and studied the manuscript... Ususally I'll have a pretty strong first impression and idea of how I want the illustrations to look, but this time, I feel open to a bit of experimentation and therefore, I don't have one set idea yet... but too many!

In any case, it will get reeled in until I feel something is right... :)

Anyway, hope you all enjoy the sketches... :)

Happy drawing!

Interesting!

Well, I read Chad Beckerman's interview he posted and am impressed... Nice view on how to approach your illustration career... it's true... maybe we need to drop the "dream" and make it a "job"!!! :P
Silly artists! ;)
No, but seriously, I think sometimes that's a big crutch for people- even those that hire illustrators that don't have experience dealing with artists. I think that's why Josh has to deal with so many clients not intentionally treating him like he ought to do his work for free because it involves art. If everyone adopted and accepted the fact that illustration is WORK then maybe we'd have less problems (ie spec work and the like).
Anyway, I just love when art directors share their views and thoughts... give a little insight to their responsibilities as well. It always helps! Even though there are the a lot of the same messages, there's ALWAYS a little bit of the person in there and it ALWAYS helps to hear what they think and feel... For instance, he talked a bit of how he feels illustrators trying to break into the field ought to really see doing this like an athlete-- you have to work out everyday (as in draw everyday)! Approach it like your life depends upon it.

Please click on the link to Mishaps and Adventures and read the interview if you are an aspiring illustrator, or someone that maybe needs a little motivation. :)
I was delighted to read it!
I should have sketches posted soon!