Doing the Holiday Hustle!

    Here I am and I have a confession to make.  I've abandoned my
illustrations.  Working like mad to get those 5 finished for the
Bologna Book Fair when it hit me the day before Thanksgiving.
If I rush through these illustrations I will screw up and hate them.
I had transferred each one onto watercolor paper and they were
ready to go...but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.   I really want
to wait until I have time to commit.  These will be great for the 
picture book workshop I am taking in late January.
    I'm also busy exploring other things right now...listed a couple
elf dolls and a painting on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelBollmanDesign?ref=hdr_shop_menu
    My nieces are asking for American Girl doll PJ's for Christmas.
I know I will be busy with making several gifts and preparing for
Christmas for the next few weeks so I will not be posting regularly
until after the holidays.  I hope you all have a very happy holiday
season.  Here are a few gift tags I did to wish you well.  (My daughter
penciled in the to and from!)

 


I used brown India ink and watercolor for vintage looking tags.
You may have seen the girl illustration before.  Last year I painted 
her with watercolor and outlined with a Sharpie.  Happier with
this look.  These were very fun to do.

(If you want to make some special tags check out your local office

supply store first-less expensive than at art supply companies.)

  Oh and I almost forgot...this sweet paper cat doll.

Miss Kitty Tibbs, on her way to a party.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!

Visions of Lizards

    Took a little break yesterday and went shopping for my birthday.
Bought a pair of butt kickin' boots.  NOW I am ready for winter!
     Had to put my brochure on hold again for another project.  Found
out about a week ago on the SCBWI website that the Bologna Book Fair
is excepting illustrations from members.  The submission guidelines include
five illustrations that are related.  Oh boy.  Maybe is was unrealistic (two
birthdays and Thanksgiving being within my deadline) to try to do this but
I felt like I needed a goal like that to push myself.   Still not sure if I will
make it but working like mad.
     I am using characters from sketches I already had in the works, so at
least I didn't have to start from scratch.
     Here is a rough sketch from the series.

                                                                         









The idea of putting the
lizard in a bonsai came to
me so I sketched this...

    It made more sense in the series to do a close up so I used tracing paper and
transferred my work.  Still not totally happy with this one.  I like the boy's face
better in the other sketch. (My scanner cut off their thoughts, those will be included
in the final work.  Also maybe the scene in the window...and the cute bird.?)

I will show you the final in a couple weeks, sorry I need to work 

next weekend so I won't be posting.  

Take care and have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Mischievous Elves Capture Rudolph!

I know it's a bit early for Christmas stuff but this

is that illustration I mentioned (Color Me Merry) doing 

for the  http://www.doodlersanonymous.com

coloring book.  They had over a thousand

submissions and unfortunately mine didn't make

the cut.  No regrets, these elves were really fun to draw!
I used a vintage calligraphy pen and ink.
Stressful, but worth it.
I only spilled a
tiny bit of ink... 

Tried to download as a pdf so my blog readers

could print and color but when I tried to upload it 

gave an error message.  You have my permission to

print the jpg if the quality is okay for your little ones 

(or yourself) to color for fun.

Personal use only please, do not redistribute.

Just registered for a SCBWI picture book workshop! 

Lindsay Ward (writer/illustrator of the 

awesome When Blue Met Egg!) and writer 

Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton (Why Cowboys Sleep 

With Their Boots On) have teamed up

to create a Picture Book Workout Workshop!  

http://bit.ly/1zrqZ7Z

This is just what I need to give me that 

little push!  I have had the honor to meet and 

attend workshops by both Laurie and Lindsay.   

They are both very informative and fun.

I can't wait for this event. 

Very excited to be working on several

projects I can't mention right now.  

Tune in next week for a glimpse!

Arts and Crafts Movement

  Last week's craft show was great.  I didn't make tons of money but met a
lot of nice people and connected with friends I haven't seen in a while.
One customer friend said "I just really like the way you draw."  That made
it all worth while:)
  I shoulda woulda coulda told you in advance I wouldn't have time to post
last week, apologies if you tuned in to see no new post.
  Remember I mentioned I was going to try to do some paintings on wood?
I managed to do two small paintings based on a couple sketches.  These
acrylic paintings were especially fun to paint.

I left a bit of the wood exposed on the

Bright! Elf which I think made it a little 

more interesting.  

The sides of the "canvas" were crying out 

for color so I painted them as well.  

The gold paint is from a tiny bottle of enamel. 

I finished each with a coat of Modge Podge 

avoiding the gold areas-

I found it makes the gold look dull.

     





Be Merry and Bright! 

                                                                                                       Here are a few items in my booth.
If you see any items you would like to purchase
please let me know via email.  I sold a few of these items but I will do custom orders
for your special someone;)

The fun~filled~crazy~world of Rachel B.

Notice the sides of the paintings?

                                                                             Details make a difference.

                                                                  See you next time...

P.S. The Big Bear Chair is a great place to read.

Little Helpers

  Apologies for my late post. Insanely busy weekend for me including
Halloween parties and school fundraising dinner which equals costume
making, chauffeuring kids to parties, cake making, and volunteering.
Now that I can breathe I will take a moment to share a couple sweet
friends who have come to life with quality soft suede-like and vintage fabrics,
fringe, yarn, needle and thread...
  Are you ready for Christmas???  No?  Here's your solution!  A little helper.

Copyright 2014 Rachel Bollman 

Meet Ernie and Eve.
Remember my post/sketch?  Fairy Obsessed was the title, though these are elves.  (If you are interested in purchasing an elf they are a steal at $50.  I have invested eight hours and my precious vintage fabrics... Contact me via email at raradesign@yahoo.com)

This craft show I am doing has served as a distraction from my illustration which was my fear.  Sometimes I think I need that however.  It gives me a chance to step back and look at where I am.  My illustration work is really coming along and I am really happy with how I am progressing.
  I am going to finish the elephant shrew illustrations next week and concentrate on work for the show this week.  I really wanted to do some little paintings on wood, those will most likely be spontaneous and happen naturally.  Tired of over thinking(=overworking) and know it will be liberating to just have some fun with my art this week.
I will let you know how it goes...

You Gotta LOVE an Elephant Shrew

    Hi friends!  Looks like I'm going to have to go back to Saturday
posts, those Fridays are tough.  This week I have been scrambling to
sew and also work on a few watercolors.
  I decided I really need to work on a promotional piece.  This idea has been
floating around for months.  Had it penciled out on paper and I think
subconsciously I was afraid to start painting for fear of messing up.
  Determined I am going to take a Photoshop class.  Most illustrators can scan in
work and add dramatic lighting, neat textures, and even erase little goof ups.
This ability would add a whole dimension to my work.  I use Illustrator for my
digital work but it's not the same.  Really enjoying working traditionally and it would
ease that tension I feel if I know I can rework paintings digitally.  There is a night class
coming up soon which will be tough on my family but I think we can work it out.
  These watercolors are in progress, but I wanted to show you how I am painting
step by step.  In order to create consistency I decided to work on all of them at
once.  I started with just watercolor.  The next step is using washed out India ink.
I love the way it looks, but it is way permanent so be careful if you try it.
Building up layers in watercolor is important.  Everything is very light now and
I am holding my breath every time I take a step.  I really want to use some brown
India ink with the calligraphy pen but am very scared.  They can be tricky and spit ink.                                        

This is the story of Joey Sengi, (an Elephant Shrew) and his for love Enid.  
Oh no, Enid is late.

"Forgive me.."
"Don't worry, it's ok."

"Happy Birthday Enid."

Creating these characters seems so necessary.  They want to be out of my head and into the world.  So get ready, here come Joey and Enid!

Color me Merry

  Gee whiz.  I forgot about you all.  Had company this weekend and completely 

forgot my blog post.  Besides going nuts decorating for halloween I am thinking

Christmas thoughts.  Maybe I mentioned I am doing a Christmas craft show 

in November.  To summon up the spirit I leafed through my holiday files to 

find some cutesy little elves to inspire me.  (Sorry for the iphone quality, 
my scanner finked out on me.) I had done these elves a few years 

ago and think they have some potential.  My daughter colored and added the 

sweet words.  They inspired a coloring page I finished Wednesday.  I 

submitted it for consideration for a coloring book project.

Really excited to have found this fun site (via twitter @doodlers) called http://www.doodlersanonymous.com.  They print these incredible coloring 

books that include the work of 60 different artists. Not sure about

their "sharing policy" so I will hold off until I know if my 

illustration is selected.  Better safe than sorry.  

You should definitely check out the books they have out now, four I think so far.   

Here is volume three.  http://doodlersanonymous.bigcartel.com/product/coloring-book-volume-3

They also started a collection of drawn Netflix envelopes on Tumblr that 

are so neat.  http://doodleflix.tumblr.com  I don't have a Tumblr 

account but was so inspired by this and the most current 

movie I rented. Just for fun mind you.

If you have not seen My Neighbor Totoro and you love cute, strange,

awesome Japanese animation you must check it out.  Directed by 

Hayao Miyazaki who also directed Kiki's Delivery Service.

Have an inspired week!

Execution of Willie Nillie

      This inner beast is killing me.  Perhaps a bit dramatic but I mean really,

how does one do it?  I have probably 10 or more books "in the works" and yet still

struggle.  Which one should I concentrate on?  Are any of them good enough or 

should I start over?  Do I really want to continue that style?  What is my style?  

Always questioning myself.  

  I had a professor once who said to pick one thing and do it well.  Yet something 

inside me screamed "Nooooo!"  I want to do it all!!!  The realization I've come to is

maybe he was right.  How do the greats of kid lit do it?  Looked at Mike Lowery's 

work the other day.  He is so CONCISE!  What about Jannie Ho?  Dr. Suess?  

They picked one thing and we know them for it. (If you don't know Mike Lowry http://mikelowery.com and Jannie Ho's  http://chickengirldesign.com work check 

them out...and you know Seuss, right?)  Hear the name, picture the style.

    

Fighting to tame the Willie Nillie beast 

that lives inside my brain.  Who am I?

What line quality, color, mood is me?  

Woe is me.  

I love soft soothing color but

maybe it's too subtle!  

My characters look similar but how do 

I execute them?

                       

 I know my work can be great.  I'm on my way, almost there, narrowing it down, practicing.

                  
So Willie Nillie is holding my hand, running and pulling me through the briars 

                  with a brush...soon we will reach an open field...see you there.

                        

Fairy Obsessed

  Hello friends!  It's been a busy summer.  I'm happy to say I found time to
rework my website and you can check it out here: http://raradesig3.wix.com/rachelbollman
  Like a crazy woman I decided to do another craft show.  So my focus is still a bit sidetracked.
The difference is, this time I am working on ways to make my art relate.  Such as these little
elf and fairy doll sketches becoming a reality in sweet fabrics. (Fairies again, though these are cutesy
ones, and not so realistic!)  I plan to do a few paintings of these dolls too, maybe for cards.  Some
of the crafts for this show are part of a bigger plan too, another book idea in the works.

   Promise to post photos of the finished products in the somewhat near future!  Also, I've
decided I will be posting on Fridays now.  See you next week!  :)Rachel

Sprites of Summer

                        Look what I found out in the garden!  They are sleeping of course.
                                       (A long day at work will do that to a floral sprite.)

Health Kick Cafe

  Feel like it has been ages since my last post!  Just wanted to show you my final
project for Lilla Rogers Assignment Bootcamp (@lillarogers) as I promised.
The theme Lilla gave us this time was favorite beverages.  I had fun on the mini
assignment, sketching and painting many various ideas.  Lilla also said for this to
be something we personally love.  
  Coffee and tea being my most favorite, I thought of what it would be like to be
on a health kick (like I am trying to persuade myself into) surrounded by caffeine
addicts!  This time I wanted to challenge myself to tell a story.  First I sketched
the bunny character, then got the idea to place him in a cafe setting.  I thought
of  New York City, and creating the essence of it.
  I wanted to use a limited palette with small accents of color.  Maybe too subtle?
When I finished, this palette and the bunny and carrots kind of made me think
of Creepy Carrots by Peter Brown, which I saw the book trailer for last year.
(I need to check it out for real.  Love his work!)  My style is very different
from his, but maybe there was a subliminal influence?  There are hints of favorite
illustrators in my work.  Keeping true to myself is a struggle at times,
but feel I'm there with this one;)

Happy Summer!

  One more assignment for Lilla Roger's Assignment Bootcamp will be given tomorrow.
  I really want to paint these little whales as a species chart.  This is not the final composition,
just an idea.

  So much going on here.  Have to apologize again for my delayed posting.  Feeling pressured

about keeping up with social media plus domestic/home life.  Taking the time to do art 

feels like a luxury right now.  When exhausted however, it feels like a chore.  I think it

shows in my work when I am forcing myself.  

  Focus is so jumbled right now.  I enjoy doing classes and projects but since my time is so 

limited it is taking away from my personal projects.  One of which is to get a book finished and 

sent to publishers/agents.  Something has to give and I am sorry to say it is my blog.  It takes 
me at least an hour, sometimes more to prepare and write my posts.  I plan to take a couple 
months to update all my sites, work on my portfolio and books.  Also, my etsy site will 
hopefully be stocked by fall with something special I am working on just for kids!  
In the mean time I promise to give a shout on twitter and facebook as well as post my 
last assignment for bootcamp.  

  I will be back in September.  Have a great summer and thank you for taking your time to read 

my blog and view my work!

Lovely Whales

  So the MATS Assignment Bootcamp project this month was a nautical theme, 
with a ship in a bottle being the inspiration.  I sketched these right before leaving
for vacation.  While away the assignment was released by Lilla Rogers, which was
to create wall art.  
   I have been stressing a lot about what design direction to take.  Not very happy with my
final work.  I didn't have time to put much into the thought process before execution.
Maybe I was trying to be too graphic oriented and I forgot about the art part.  
My other idea was to do a chart which perhaps would have been more successful.
I also wish I would have hand painted.  Sometimes I get fooled into thinking 
working digitally will be faster but that isn't always so.  Anyway, I like my baby 
looking whales and I may do something later with them.  I really want to do something
more related to children's books.  My style is so versatile it is hard to control at times.
I really need to work on developing my point of view.  Working in so many medias
can look scattered.  This summer I am going to take the time to really focus.  
  Sorry for the belated post.  Peace out and goodnight.  

Have a whale of a good tale to tell.

Out to Sea

  Away from home and have been trying desperately to upload my
whale sketches I mentioned last week. Sorry to say I don't think it's
going to happen tonight.  I am writing to you from a weak tablet that
is not cooperating. Later this week I will post some sketches so check
back.
 Happy Dad's Day to all the great dads, especially mine!

Gesture Line Drawing

    Last night I drew a few cute whales and a ship in a bottle for the
Lilla Rogers mini assignment.  The theme is nautical, which is something
I haven't approached in a while so it feels new and exciting.  I will post
those sketches next week.
    One way to develop a spontaneous, simple look to figure drawing is
to do gesture drawings.   During school I was waiting for my kids to get 
off the bus.  I brought along my sketchbook and would sketch the kids
playing and waiting for the bus.  Since kids are always in motion it's a 
real challenge!  
                                                         It's essential to only pick out the most important 
                                                       and contrasting lines to add drama.
Curves and straight lines 
lead the eye around the figure.  
Barely looking at the paper and examining 
how the pose should be edited 
is a quick, spontaneous process.  
  There is almost always something really 
special about the results.

Each figure has individual character and personality, just like children do!

This one was sketched as my twin girls and their friend examined something on the playground.  

I wonder what it was...

Eye See Change

                    Field guides are great for inspiration!  Last week at the library

                 I checked out one on moths.  Moths are great symbols for change and 

                 transformation.  Scratching out a rough sketch of the girl 

                 I added the moths over her eyes.  It just wasn't working. 

                 The acrylic paint detailing wasn't right on the wings and the color

                 did not stand out the way I envisioned. In the end the moths 

                 were decoupaged.   This was a fun experiment.  

                 Acrylics work well with pastel.

Watching Katy Perry videos

while doing this.  Her style influenced the hair and lips, don't cha think?

Dive Deep

  Here it is, advanced screening for you!  Had a great time working on this, 
even worked outside for a bit. Working with India ink, watercolor, stamps, 
and glitter stars.  Fun stuff.
  Thought I would work in blue's since Lilla's surprise feature was a 
shades of blue color study.

  This work was for an online class by illustration agent Lilla Rogers. 
http://www.lillarogers.com
  See previous posts for cool links/ if you want to check out other work I have
done for this class.
  Here is my own little surprise feature.  The color palette I chose plus 
Color heads!  Fun people and critters inspired by color blobs. 

Which one is your favorite?

So Simple

  Okay, so the Lilla Rogers (https://twitter.com/lillarogers http://lillarogers.com)
assignment for MATS Bootcamp this month is to create an editorial illustration
about meditation.  I did many sketches and decided on this one for my final.
Tending to be a little ADD, I thought I should read the assignment again.
Going back over Lilla's tips made me change my mind and reevaluate.
More than once she stated to keep it SIMPLE.
  There is so much going on in this sketch, and this one is even more simplified
than the previous sketch.  I think subconsciously I pulled in every aspect of my life
that I can't let go when I meditate.  Interesting how the drawing worked therapeutically,
like meditation!  It had to be done to melt away those issues, so I could get on with a
clean and powerful image.
  I have a new sketch I am working on now.  Feel a little pressured due to lost time.
Final illustration is due the 25th.  I wanted create this one traditionally and digitally
and pick the best one, but maybe not enough time.  We'll see.
  Monday we get a surprise tip from Lilla which is always helpful and inspiring.
Not sure what you will see next week,  a little surprise of my own!
 
 

 

    *Pray for the release of the girls in Nigeria.* 

  #BringBackOurGirls

                                                 

My Favorite~Vintage Dolls!

  Lilla Rogers Assignment Bootcamp is back in session this month.

Was thrilled to find the mini assignment inspiration is DOLLS!!!

I have a pretty big collection of cool vintage dolls, one of my favorite 

things to search for at flea markets and antique stores.  It was so fun to
 draw/paint them.  I tried many different medias and papers, as Lilla suggested.  

  Here are some samples.  You can see I went in a lot of directions.

I just wanted to experiment.  No idea what the final will be and I am

so curious.  Having a lot of ideas to choose from should be helpful.

 First I drew Lilla's dolls.

                                       

  

                                            Then I sketched these 1930's Cupies I love!

Next I tried markers to do these more modern dolls~Dawn, Little Kiddle and Flatsey!

Haven't used markers in years (that explains the dry look!) and it was kind of neat.

               I then tried Lilla's idea for an exercise-paint one doll three different ways (which I also
           did for Practice, Love post in April).  Amazing results after three tries.  This is the last one.
           No way can you see the others!  Let's just say Jumbo student grade oil pastels are not
           made for detailed work;0)  This one is done in gauche and watercolor.

           
 Painted this one on canvas paper
 (which I love due to the texture)
with gauche, watercolor, & water soluble crayons.        

 My favorite! 

                                          Cupie face I created with oil pastel and watercolor.
                                                   Fun to work with the resist technique.

                                           Concentrated on this little curly top head with India
                                        ink and watercolor.  The print on her dress inspired the
                                        background.  This gave me another idea, but you will
                                               have to wait until next time to see the results!
             

Who let all these cats in here?

  Tuesday was my last art class of this series.  Played around with acrylics for the
first time in a year and it was so eye opening.  Traditional art methods are so enjoyable to me.
It could be the feel of a real brush, pigment in my face~whatever it is, I love it.
I have also realized that to get a really great portfolio piece much planning should
go into it in the beginning stages.   The drawing has to be right too.  How little
details and setting the stage involve so much thinking!  Why are artists/illustrators
given so little credit?  It really is work!

Granny didn't expect this kind of behavior.

  What it is with cats lately? Here are some more.
~Painted with acrylics on Canson canvas paper,
inexpensive and less intimidating than real canvas.

(I added a little pastel and charcoal pencil to Minnie.)

Minnie anxiously awaits her visit to Dr.Vetty.
{Nod to Norman Rockwell.}

Cat in Character

  Finished Cat in Progress character sketches today.  Had fun working out the
different situations.  My last watercolor class session is Tuesday.  Learned
about using different brushstrokes and using dry brush which has helped

me so much. 

  It's been a busy week and I have had this headachy sleepy belly achy thing
that won't go away.  Hopefully I will be back to normal soon.  Did you all
have a nice Easter/Spring Break holiday?

Challenging Expressions

  Here are a few faces I painted while referring to the book I mentioned
in my last post.  Was playing around on sketchbook paper (hence the warping of paper).  Decided to use the water soluble pencil after doing the first two faces.  When I loosened up they looked a lot better.
I like the second to the last one with mouth open the best even though it was probably the most
challenging.  Also challenging is trying to look at real life faces and "converting" them to my
illustration style.  I am working really hard at this, doing daily sketches of people wherever I go.

  I also worked on the composition for the little cat girl
but haven't finished the painting yet.  Preparing for Easter and spring break with kids has overwhelmed me a bit.  Things should be in order by next week and I will have time to finish by Saturday.

  Did this post early as I will be too busy Saturday.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday!

Cat in Progress

  Last week's painting inspired me to think about this little cat kid.
What would she be up to on a sunny Saturday like today?  Why,
becoming the Cat that she is of course!
  I did these rough sketches on tracing paper and I am trying to work
out the composition.  I may add a couple more to fill in the blanks
and will post the finished art next week.
  A little tip I learned this week...always think about your paper and
media choices thoroughly for each project.  I used Canson Illustration
(http://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-artist-series-illustration-pads)
paper for last week's piece and loved working on the smooth surface.
This is great for a small painting.
  I have also been working on drawing different facial expressions.
Here is the link to a helpful resource book if you need help in this area http://www.dickblick.com/products/facial-expressions-babies-to-teens
  Now I'm going out to enjoy this fabulous day with a little gardening!

Practice, Love

  I tried a little experiment this week to practice different techniques.

Choosing a sketch I did a while ago, I painted it three times using 

different methods.  

               I used a Pentel color brush in sepia and it got a little messy.

 India ink worked well for this one.  

  Received some pencils Thurday that I ordered from Blick.

Among them was three Derwent water soluble 

sketching pencils in Light Wash HB, Medium Wash 4B, and Dark Wash 8B.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-water-soluble-sketching-pencils/

I used the HB for this one.  A bit light, but I like the softness. 

Truly working on my drawing. So I also bought a great book 

for facial expressions.  It 's called Facial Expressions Babies to Teens

by Mark Simon.  It's a wonderful resource!