The Children's Illustrators' Studio

Rough Monday

2012-02-13T09:33:00.000-05:00

You DID say rough!

Rough Monday - Orange You Glad?

2012-02-13T09:23:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist adding a touch of colour .... Happy Monday!

Julie Prescesky - designinkarnation.blogspot.com

Rough Monday

2012-02-12T14:37:00.000-05:00

Monday's are Rough, Banana's rougher!

Adrian's Banana rough monday (in advance)

2012-02-11T14:23:00.003-05:00

Sorry for hogging the airwaves, but I thought I'd throw my Monday rough up while I had a chance. :) Chris challenged us to a banana theme. In mine, my hero Bish makes a small error in judgement on Halloween.

I'm hoping to paint it and put up the final version as well, but it may not be straight away...

"In theory, it was a wonderful costume..."

Santa's Little Helper

2012-02-11T12:48:00.005-05:00

Well, Chris (our bossy boss moderator, he he) said that we should both share art and non-art news, so my news is we’re expecting another "Santa’s helper" in the summer. :)

Below is an illustration I did after we took my first baby for his first Santa photo. He loved it.

Mixing reference photos and imagination is a challenge, but can have some amazing results when it works. Mother nature is truly the greatest artist. I’ve bought some stuffed animals that I plan on using as references for some upcoming illustrations. We’ll see how it works, but I plan on having some fun!

Happy weekend!

Adrian.

Once again, "the future of Picture Books"

2012-02-11T08:38:00.000-05:00

Agent, Mary Kole's Blog, Kidlit.com , from October 2010, featured a panel of industry professionals speaking on the future of the picture book, in the dawning age of ebooks and apps.

Here's one of the quote's I found interesting. "kids want a multi-sensory experience. They want to read their book, and then they want to play it, interact with it, take an imaginative leap. The book and the play are all part of how kids meet and interpret a story."

Now, do kids reeeeally want to play with their books or have we decided to make books that play with and entertain the child. I can't remember, as a kid, saying to myself, "darn, I wish I could do more with this stupid book then just read it and look at the pictures!" Now, the book did INSPIRE me to use my imagination, in making up my own stories, drawing my own pictures.
Without any bells or whistles, a book can be much more.

If now, the book, not the child, initiates play, is the child's imagination really being used? Will a child's imagination prevail over that interactive device, once known as "book"?

I'd especially love to hear what people with young children have to say about how their little ones interact with ebooks/apps.

Interesting to see where it all will head from here.

Old Junk Week

2012-02-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

Here's a blast from the past. Anyone alive in the 'eighties may recognize these old-fashioned hand-drawn layouts for former Canadian icon, "Eaton's". These are felt tip renderings on paper from the pre-digital era when dinosaurs roamed the earth. My first and only job in the real world was in their in-house art department followed by a decade of freelance layout and design for every major Canadian retailer that no longer exists. (Hmmmm, I see a common denominator here.) Maybe some of you will find this bit of recent history interesting.

Rough Monday - Junk Mail

2012-02-06T20:46:00.000-05:00

I've started playing around with Junk Mail Illustration. This is where I quickly illustrate the subject heading or sender name of one of the many fascinating emails I receive in my junk mail folder.

This one is titled: SassyChick

Check out my blog for my first foray into the wonderful world of junk mail illustration. Some subject headings just scream for an off handed art depiction. Some ... well, some are better left alone.

Happy Monday!

~Julie

"Rough Monday" topic day (pushed ahead, because of a certain over zealous member)

2012-02-06T11:28:00.000-05:00

"Inspired" by a member, who has posted her rough a week ahead of time, and of her own topic choice, and with flagrant disregard for her "bossysocks" moderators rules, here is an advance topic post.

The topic for "Rough Monday", February 13, is "Banana":)

Mondays ARE Rough.

2012-02-06T00:30:00.001-05:00

Especially when you are ordered around by a particular bossy pants blog moderator. This is MY monday rough. It's for a picture book I will be turning into an ebook app. I think.

It's the month of love...

2012-02-05T21:39:00.002-05:00

and I have to confess, I am in love.

I am in love with how fast the cintiq works for me. How I can do all my steps in one place without stopping to scan, trace and re-draw. I do all those things, but it's intuitive. It is how I have ALWAYS wanted to work but did not have the medium.

Below 1) a work in progress

2) a completed spot

I am trying out Sketchbook Pro – you can download a full version to try for 15 days (NON_CONSECUTIVELY). I am still using it - I have 6 more days left till I have to buy it.

There's a whole new Illustration world out there

2012-02-05T08:58:00.003-05:00

It's a new age in Illustration for sure. In just a short 12 years, we have gone from faxing roughs, phone calls with Editors and Art Directors to offer projects, ask for changes, mailed contracts and shipping of final art, to email, email, email and THIS!!!!

The Cintiq, an artist tool like no other. In fact, it replaces every art tool that I have ever owned and then some.

My Accountant was in last week collecting my shoe box of invoices and receipts. He asked me where all my material bills were? Where were the "Wallack" (Art Supply Store) stubs for paints, brushes, paper, pencils and erasers? Where were my "deductions"? None! I have packed up the materials I did have and placed them all on shelves in the spare bedroom closet. I felt kind of sad about it, color pencils, paints, markers, good-bye loyal friends.

My poor drawing table sits idol, in the corner of my Studio, lonely and neglected. My Cintiq rules the roost, in fact I am composing this blog on it right now, while using it to check out emails and twitter. My Mac is feeling as neglected as the drawing table these days.

Above is a demonstration at the Toronto Photographic Show, 2008. Below is the Cintiq 21UX, my version. The screen actually measures 21" side to side. I guess they don't use the cheaty corner to corner measurements TV makers do.

Both of these versions are yesterdays news. TA DA, the Caddy of Cintiqdom!
Now THIS, this is the newest version. The 24HD and really, I could just have it sit there on the desk, dust it, fondle it, and look at it. It's a thing of beauty!!! Practically speaking, the differences are more noticable, especially it's ability to tilt, be used in a standing position (for those artists that like to stand and paint) and to extend over the edge of a table, almost as if on the illustrators lap (though not)

I will not be getting one:(
I'll be honest, I can barely figure out all that my version is capable of as is but, a girl can dream!

Old Junk Week

2012-02-04T06:11:00.004-05:00

I thought, while we are all waiting, with baited breath, for the first ever, specTACULAR, "Rough Monday", we could host, "Old Junk Week"!
I'll begin, and can't wait to see what the rest of you dig up, from your basements, attic's, dusty shelves and old jpeg files.

As a child, I lived for Saturdays *. Most of us did back in the late 50's, early 60's. It not only meant Saturday morning TV (was always bummed when the Archie Comic books would run ads featuring the newest cartoon line up for the Fall season in the US, and we never got them in Canada) more importantly, to me, it meant the Colour Comics pull out section in the Newspaper... the "FUNNIES"!

I could spend well over an hour on my belly in the living room, paper spread out in front of me, because I wasn't just reading the comics, I was STUDYING them. The rest of that day would be spent, inspired by my Cartoonist hero's, trying to draw just like them. From about the age of 5, to 48, I thought of myself as a Cartoonist, not an Illustrator. I wanted to have a comic strip, be syndicated, be mobbed by adoring fans. As an adult and mom, I was sure I would be the next Lynn Johnston. Lynn, in fact, got me my first adult (not sexy adult, just adult) book contract. She recommended me to the Publisher. I didn't know Lynn but she had seen my work. I later found out, she wasn't JUST being kind, she was also trying to get the Publisher off her back :) but... I digress.
So, here is my "Old Junk". A few of the strips from my, not syndicated (though kindly rejected by King Features) "Twenty Five, to Life", unedited, and with all the spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes my dyslexic brain could muster:)

* To our US friends who may be confused about Sunday comics being published on Saturday in Canada. Yep, the secret is out, we were always a step ahead of you:)
Na, truth is we didn't get Sunday papers here. It used to be a day of rest, even for the news.

Announcing, "Rough Mondays"!

2012-02-03T11:14:00.006-05:00

Inspired by CIS blog member Adrian Croft, who, a while back, suggested an Illustration day, I'm announcing, "Rough Mondays"!
I've picked Monday for a few reasons.

a) It gives those of us, with outside of the studio jobs, the weekend to create a masterpiece to post.
b) What is rougher then a Monday!!
c) Fridays were taken.

The rules:
1) Roughs can be posted anytime Monday. If you miss Monday and have something ready by Tuesday, you get a mulligan, and can still post. If you miss Tuesday and want to post Wednesday, you will be shot.

2) I'll post the topic (Why me? Because I'm like that, I've always been a bossysocks) on Wednesday.

3) If you are unable to post the image yourself, you can email it to me. Best done before Wednesday (see rule number one)

4) Only SCBWI Canada East CIS blog members may participate. So, Eastern Canada lurkers, do consider joining the SCBWI and if you are already a member of SCBWI, consider joining our CIS blog.

5) Only roughs are allowed. Finished art may be posted anytime you care to blog, but for the Monday challenge, it's roughs all the way. No colouring! The sketch can be as tight and detailed as you wish, or as rough and loose, as can be. It can be done in either pencil or ink (light or dark line, for our digital Illustrators) but must show the roughs progress. No erasing! Because that would be cheating, no cheating! (again, see rule number one, as I have decided it applies to cheaters too)

6) Any dimensions are fine, but keep the dpi low.

7) You must have fun! *

*See, told you I was a bossysocks. I was the kid in the neighbourhood who would not just TELL the other girls what game we were going to play, "pretend to be Horses", but that they were to be Pinto ponies, I , the Palomino Stallion.

Niagara Falls Conference, check it out!

2012-02-02T07:01:00.001-05:00

Canada East Illustrators must party harder over the holiday's then any others, as it's awfully quite on the blog!
I'll go first, and break the silence, with this post regarding the SCBWI Canada East, Niagara Falls Conference, coming up June 8-10, 2012.
This years line up of guests is TOTALLY Illustrator inclusive!
To mention just a few, likely of special interest to Illustrators, Patti Ann Harris, A.D., "Little Brown Books for Young Readers".
Tracey Adams, Agent, "Adams Literary". The Agency does represent Illustrators, as well as Authors.

While often we Illustrators can feel a little left out at some conferences and conventions, the Niagara Conference stands out as an "Equal Opportunity" weekend for us.
Hope many of our Illustrator members (non-members are welcome) will be able to take advantage of this amazing opportunity.

Hey, Niagara Falls in June, what's wrong with that picture?:)

Niagara Falls Conference

Digital Illustration

2011-11-24T08:58:00.002-05:00

I am still having a wonderful time doing all of my work on my Cintiq. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? (so long as you don't expect them to learn more then one thing a day, nor expect them to remember it tomorrow:)
There are a number of free tutorials re: Photoshop, on Lynda.com and learning how to use the "mixer brush" has been amazing. Check out that tutorial if you have a moment, it's inspiring!
Here are 2 examples of recent practice runs with "mixer brush". The first is a fast sketch, took roughly 1/2 an hour, from "pencil" to "paint", and the second was done over the course of 2 days on the weekend.
If anyone has ever signed on for the Lynda.com full tutorial, I'd love to hear what you thought of it. I am very tempted.

Because Being A Mom Can Be Amusing

2011-11-21T19:49:00.001-05:00

Hello again.
I was afforded the recent opportunity to illustrate for a blog about the joys and pains of motherhood. The first of four seasonal banners is up now: http://momamusings.com/

Check out more of my recent work at my blog: designinkarnation.blogspot.com .

Best,

Julie

SCBWI Invitation to submit art

2011-10-23T07:43:00.000-04:00

SCBWI is inviting members to submit spot art to be featured in the "The Bulletin". While members have always been able to submit b/w images for inclusion, this call is a little different.
Beginning with the Jan/Feb issue one member Illustrator will be featured along with their submitted spot art. The chosen Illustrator will also receive $100.
For more info on how to sub, go to SCBWI.org

This and that

2011-10-23T07:12:00.000-04:00

I'll soon post photo's and a report from our most recent SCBWI Canada East weekend conference. For now let me just say it was terrific, fun, informative, and rejuvenating!
Thanks go out to the amazing organizers, SCBWI CE Rep. Lizann Flatt, Alma Fullerton, Michelle Jodoin and, Rachel Eugster.

A shout out to our blog members. I've now added a "Members' Blogs" to the sidebar. If you wish to add yours, please do, or you can send it to me and I'll include it.

Iris and the Dragonflies

2011-10-10T15:21:00.000-04:00

Hello :) This is Julie of Design Inkarnation - a place where I post my regular drawings and other creative endeavours .

Recently I had the pleasure of creating an illustrated banner for author Rosemary Danielis, featuring her Middle Grade novel "Iris and the Dragonflies".

"After dragons in the form of spellbound dragonflies tell Iris she is their long awaited Dragon Seer, Iris takes the first step toward her destiny by challenging the greedy mayor who wants to destroy the local creek, the dragonflies’ home. But evil never works alone and a man with his own mysterious connections to Iris will do anything to stop her."

Visit her website for more exciting info on her novel, and you can even order a signed copy.
Be sure to like her Facebook page too :)

Just Lion Around

2011-10-09T21:51:00.006-04:00

Wow, this is nerve-wracking, but I'll throw up another blog post. :)

With a new baby in the house, I've been focusing on my adult fantasy novel in the last year or two, and so haven't been as prolific in my art as I'd like, but one interesting turn for me is some of the more detailed and realistic paintings that I've tried my hand at, along the lines of the lion image I've shown here (which is based off a reference photo). I've really enjoyed it and think that it's expanded my skill set and taught me a few new watercolor techniques, even if I don't stick with this technique all the time.

I'm actually excited to (barring any time management catastrophes) to possibly take a stab at a picture book dummy using this style starting in the new year, with a little (but quickly growing) gorilla as the star.

The unfortunate thing about the style is that it isn't that easy to throw up some quick images for blog posts here. :) But I'll share when I can!

All the best,

Adrian.

www.croftcreations.ca

You need to work out the STINK bugs

2011-10-04T12:22:00.001-04:00

Illustration from Tooter's Stinky Wish, by Brian Cretney, Illustrated by Peggy Collins published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside 2011

Welcome (was "testing")

2011-09-14T10:12:00.004-04:00

WELCOME!
I'm editing this post from its original "Testing" (just to mess with Peggy...nah:) to say welcome to our members and (hopefully) readers. There are now 11 SCBWI Canada East Illustrator members that have access to post and I hope that makes this blog diverse, fun, fresh, and informative.
Post all of your terrific art, both old and new but also use this blog to speak about the Publishing industry, the day to day thrills, and spills of being an Illustrator. Acceptances, rejections, up times and down, conferences, and events you've attended.
Talk about our illustration techniques, favourite materials used, perhaps pics of the studio or space in which you create.
I think blogs can be very static, one dimensional, so please feel free to post about other facets of life as well. New baby pics, a new puppy in the family, etc. We are, after all, not only the work we do.

Also, I'm likely less knowledgeable about blogs then many of you so please, feel free to email me with suggestions and tips on making this one of the very best out there.
Cheers,
Chris