Big Hair & Knees-and-Elbows

Sometimes I observe my son and think, "How does his little neck support that enormous head?" But then it's mostly hair. I also notice that he's developing the lanky all-knees-and-elbows look characteristic in older boys. When did this happen?!

Moustache

Illustration Friday: Moustache

For a several weeks last Halloween, my 3-year-old son would steal my eye liner and pretend to be Zorro.

 

 

Grabbing Moments in my Sketchbook

I've been super busy painting for a commissioned project. I haven't done any personal projects for myself due to deadline crunching, and also because my husband and I decided to buy a new house.  Golly, that takes a lot of time on the phone! 

But there are always moments here and there I can put into my sketchbook.  My friend Sara bought me this adorable little 31 purse for carrying my sketchbook. It's the exact size of a moleskin, unzips to lay flat, and has a built-in pencil pouch. Perfect! I've been toting it everywhere and pulling it out even if only for a few seconds.

I did this one, "The Littlest Birds Sing the Prettiest Songs," based on a song that comes on my kids' radio. I think it's adorable. I grabbed these moments every day, a few minutes at a time, in the parking lot, waiting for Kindergarten to let out.

This one is based on my father-in-law's true story about a time he took the train in the summer-time, and a little boy was curious about his white beard, sure he was Santa, but trying to act skeptical. Very cute! I want to finish this one, 4 panels, in watercolor and ink.  Someday when I finish these commissioned pieces!

One artist whose work I admire, John Hendrix, illustrates the Sunday sermon, so I thought to try the same thing one day in church.

Also, in church, sometimes I sit where I can get a good view of others on the other side of the sanctuary, and they don't know I'm drawing them. ;)

In our small group, Katie is one of the pretties mommies I know with such a beautiful little boy. I had to draw them, too.

I drew this one in church too. My favorite fantasy when I was a little girl.

Thumbnails & Roughs

The process of creating an illustration page will have 5 steps: 

1. Thumbnails

2. Rough sketch

3. Transfer to watercolor paper

4. Ink

5. Watercolor

 

This first picture is a thumbnail sketch. I keep my thumbnails so rough, no manicure can fix them! (har har) I just want to play around with various compositions before I commit to greater detail in the final drawing. I do all the thumbnails at once before I begin the sketches. This is so that I can see the book as a whole, make sure it flows with problem, climax, solution, and be sure I don't have a lot of redundancy.  I even plan color schemes to match the flow of the story, and emotion of the scene.

 

The second picture is the final sketch. With this particular page, I added all the details and even did a bit of rendering. But I am not sure doing so is helpful. On one hand, it takes a lot of time to add texture and details, which in the end is wasted time because I'm just going to re-draw it on watercolor paper. On the other hand, it lets the client know the kind of quality and detail the end product will have.  And if I were a client, I'd be a bit nervous, hoping the new artist I just hired will deliver what I hope she will.   I think I might be able to make my sketches looser as the pages continue and the client feels more confident. But we shall see. It is a learning process for me.   

Here is the final piece! You may notice the position of the mouse has changed. The author thought the mouse needed a little more personality, and it was a very positive change. I love how it turned out!

El Zorro!

With Every Pencil Stroke, A Prayer

I offered a portrait commission for a fundraiser auction for a local charity. I did not expect to do a portrait of Josh and his sister, Jessie for their mother. This past year, the town rallied to support Josh in his fight against cancer. Benefits were held, prayer vigils held, newspapers updated. We the community held our breath as Josh fought for his life. He was smart, kind, 17, with a bight future, and a Facebook page that proclaimed, "I love Jesus" in capital letters.  He inspired thousands of people with his famous quote, "When you can't stand, kneel."  Needless to say, this was a difficult portrait to draw! I was nervous, wanting perfection for such a nobel person. I was full of thoughts for all the loved ones left behind. I have never had the opportunity to create a portrait of a hero. And I was full of prayer.

Wendy Darling

"Wendy Darling"