This gallery contains 26 photos.
I just returned from an another amazing conference for the Iowa-SCBWI. Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators. The weekend started out with an illustrators workshop given by Kari Pearson, Editorial Assistant (Abrams). We were given an assignment ahead of … Continue reading
Many years ago I found an old book at a friend’s antique shop. The moment I held it in my hand, I knew I would have to have it.
It is called The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, by Edith Holden.
In it she records with watercolor sketches, poems and writings of the changing seasons. She kept this journal secret for seventy years, until it was discovered on in an old country house. It was publi
shed soon after.
She died at the age of forty-nine, while trying to gather chestnut buds, she drowned in the Thames. (You can read her bio on the following photo.)
Because it is too beautiful to leave closed on a shelf, I made a special place for it in the corner of the living room. It is a calendar for the seasons. Each time I open it to turn to the next day, week or month, it always inspires me to take a walk, sketch a flower, or just sit and observe nature.
I am so pleased to have been accepted into the
2012 Bologna SCBWI Illustrator Gallery.
It is a gallery of images by published and listed artists not attending the Bologna Book Fair this month.
Congratulations to all of the artists that were accepted.
Below is my portfolio entry.
Just wanted to wish everyone a happy Valentine’s Day!
Last year, I signed up for a Pay it Forward project on Facebook. Finally I have finished the art cards for the five people who posted on my wall.
I was inspired to do a one of a kind, mini painting for each of them.
I thought of each person, and which flower might mean something to them. Amy loves spring, so Hyacinth came to mind. Molly lives in Minnesota, so she got a Lady’s Slipper. Jennifer lives in Colorado, so she got the Columbine. Magda lives in Texas, so for her… the Blue Bonnet. And Rhonda started growing Nicotiana, so that was perfect for her.
I knew I couldn’t spend too much time, so started with the small bristol board trading cards. I washed each one with a warm ochre wash, and salt texture. Once I drew the main shapes with color pencil, I used three colors: Quin.Gold, Quin. Orange, Burnt Umber and China White. I wasn’t too concerned with getting every little detail of each flower, but instead worked with the dark and lights to make a pleasing composition. I find that I prefer to work off of a middle tone paper, and build up lights, and darken the shadows. It was fun, now back to work.
Recently I purchased an IPad for a project. It has turned out to be an amazingly creative tool for sketching.
Although I prefer to use charcoal, pencil and other messy media, the IPad is great to sketch out ideas when sitting in the living room by the fire.
The app that I use is Sketchbook Pro. It comes with a variety of brushes with interesting textures.
In this sketch, I used just one brush, (curved cross-hatch). By adjusting the size and opacity, and using a limited palette, I was able to rough in the composition. I can’t wait to do some more.
This is a sketch from a picture book I am working on.
I was happy with it, so scanned and printed it onto my final WC paper. My on-line critique group thought the tail on the left bird looked odd. I agreed, but reluctantly.
I was resigned to losing a bit of time and starting over until . . .
I remembered my magic jar!
Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground.
I got out my magic brush and covered the tail with a few coats. It blended nicely into the paper. You can still see a slight shadow, but it lightened it enough. After it dries, it takes the watercolor washes nicely. It can be used on just about any surface
Here is a closer image.
And a shot of my drawing table showing my process.
I have started the washes in the sky, and it really worked . . . like magic.
Thanks critique group and Daniel Smith!
It should be finished soon.
