Some Commissions

  

Spring 2015

How wonderful for childhood to have wide open spaces to run

with the pet goats, dogs, willow trees, and cattails! 

Summer 2015

To celebrate 40 years of marriage, this painting recalls "how I met you."  

Summer 2016

Each of these children has a favorite blanket, 

and share magical sibling moments late at night 

talking and giggling amid the blankies and pillows.

Summer 2016

A spirit of adventure hiking in the woods 

marks many memories for this lovely family.

Orange Hat Publishing



 

This book, "Little Mouse Finds a New Home" by Liz Siivola is coming soon.  It will be published through Orange Hat Publishing, a small self-publishing business, family-owned, based in Wisconsin. If you're interested in self-publishing, I highly recommend checking out Orange Hat. They are personable, affordable, and fun, especially the owner. Here is the website: www.orangehatpublishing.com

 

I would say this opportunity came to me by chance, but we all know God has his hand on every detail of our lives.  Certainly, I did nothing to seek out illustrating.  I have been a stay-at-home-mom for six years now, taking care of two little boys, now ages 3 & 6. Before that, I was an art teacher. My degree is in art education, with a minor in English.  While staying home, I have volunteered at the youth center in town, where I led an after-school art program for 5 years. The plan was to go back to teaching in a couple years when both my kids are in school.

 

Who knew that this year I would be making art for children's books? Who knew a friend would introduce me to a friend who would introduce me to illustrating? And now, this is my 4th book! I owe so much to Orange Hat, who opened my eyes to a world of possibilities!

 

I often wonder if I will return to art education, or if God will lead me somewhere new with illustrating?

 

Little Mouse in the Closet

To see the full process, click here:
http://brittanydupont.blogspot.com/2013/03/thumbnails-roughs.html

 

 

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.

Temporary Home

Here's the little mouse in her temporary home... Rough sketches. 

Peek

 

 

 

 

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Another sketch for the mouse book. I think this one looks great as a sketch and will look even better finished in watercolor!

Glass Jars

 

 

The mouse was a cinch to draw! I have a live reference any time I want. My boys have pet rats.  (Believe it or not, they actually make excellent pets for kids!)

Chosen Last - glow!

From pages 16-17 of "Chosen Last," the second book I illustrated for Orange Hat Publishing. "Chosen Last" really tugged at my heart strings with it's message of unconditional love and acceptance. You can order it at http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Last-Ariel-Oehmichen/dp/1937165264/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356113296&sr=8-1&keywords=chosen+last

I submitted this piece for Illustration Friday's word of the week "glow." For IF, I think it is always better to submit new art made especially for the word of the week, rather than finding something I already have that fits.  The idea is to create something out of the ordinary, a challenge, a creative exercise. However, this week is Christmas. Hello last minute to-do's! 

Here we see the GLOW of the moon as well as the GLOW of the GLOWbugs!

Wendy Darling

"Wendy Darling"

Scaredy Rats

Grant's Special Summer

I decided to document the process I use for illustrating.

#1. I made a sketch and cleaned up the lines.

#2. I put down the colors quickly, like an underpainting.

#3. I went back with markers, pushed back and pulled forward different parts to create depth, and layers of color.

#4. I added some colored pencil for texture, and an outline to preserve the "cartoon" look of the boy and the dog. I also added the title on Photoshop.

Rusty

A story written by my dad.