Make Up Please!

    Hello all,
 Thought I would take a moment to give you
a little tip on using vintage elements to inspire
modern work.  Here you see a cool Pond's cosmetic
powder box.  I have a great little collection of cosmetic
items from the 192o's to 196o's.*

I really like something
about the spiky flower
on the upper right.
 
  While all of these elements
are awesome, it would be too
copy catty to use every one
for my textile print.  Instead
I used a few flowers and
leaves to inspire a piece that
looks more "today".
 
  Since my print is currently
for sale I don't want to show
the whole pattern, but here
is a little swatch so you can
see what I am talking about.

If you are interested in seeing my textile
prints for purchase,please contact me!
raradesign at yahoo dot com.

*Frequent flea markets and thrift stores like I do and you can acquire quite a nice
collection of vintage items.  Handkerchiefs, embroidered items, and other vintage
textiles are a great place to start.  They are usually inexpensive and truly inspire.

After Life Drawing

 

    While I sit here occasionally sipping my Red Truck Red Wine I am about to confess
something that you may find a bit gross.  I myself find it mildly disgusting.  If you get
squeamish and are sensitive you might want to refrain from reading the rest of this post.
So here it is...Last week I drew dead things.
    It all started when I found the cutest baby mouse on my driveway.  One of the cats
must have just gotten to it.  The poor thing was a bit damp, but the ears were so large and
the feet so vulnerable that I just couldn't let it be.  I picked it up and brought it into my
studio and laid it upon a tissue.    I went and washed my hands carefully, and grabbed
some rubber gloves.
    Something called me to draw this mouse.  Why should his or her sweet life be wasted?
So as I drew this precious creature acquired a personality.   I believe his name is Rosco.
He was a busy guy.  He worked on the hillside for his dad, gathering seeds...until he met
upon an untimely death by the likes of Monkey or Naya.

I drew the bottom mouse first, the top mouse second and the laying down pose last.
Amazing improvement huh?

 What a surprise it was to see a little grey brown short tail mole on the sidewalk the next day.  

Perhaps the killer thought it would please me to find another. 

Sadly it did.  

The thing is, when you draw from life animals move too much.  It is really hard to 

capture the essence of the subject so quickly.  

I remembered reading about a museum that keeps

preserved species of birds for scientists and artist to study and draw 

(a branch of the Natural History Museum in Cincinnati, OH).  This interested me. 

Being able to study the mouse and mole so closely was amazing, if but a bit creepy.  

I grew up in the country and my father and brothers were hunters and trappers, so

I have seen much worse.  It only really bothered me when I took a lunch break

and came back to it.  Ewww!  I'm not sure if I will ever do this again, 

but that museum is sort of calling my name...

I better get a heavy duty mask and gloves!

Practice definitely does make perfect, as I drew each got better.  
Notice the numbers first to fourth. He was actually sort of pose able,
as you can see in sketch number 3.   Mr. Knuckles is not at all like his name.
He is rather generous, inviting other ground dwellers into his
abode for ice tea and scones. 

 

The guilty party/ies??? Monkey Man is a bit older, although he does look a bit evil, doesn't he?

Here is Naya, training for the hunt.  

Not the sharpest tack in the box but extremely cute and a skilled huntress.  

P.S.  If you want to try to draw a dead thing but it makes you ill, maybe start 

with a beetle or bug. They can be found near outdoor lights.

Also, I am going to have a busy summer vacation so my postings may be 

sporadic, please bear with me.  I will be back to posting on Saturdays in September.

I'll give a shout out on Twitter and Facebook when I do post.

Have a safe and fun-filled summer!!!

Storyboarding

                                          

                                          Working on textile prints so I created a few storyboards

                                        for inspiration.  It's a great way to fuel inspiration.  I never

                                        copy ideas, but use various art and design to spark creativity.

                                        I like to mix current trends I find online with vintage sources.

                                        Those sweet hankies from the 50's always have the greatest 

                                        flowers.  Trend boards can be done for illustration also. 

                                        Sometimes I find vintage photos for inspiration and mix

                                        in color swatches and fun three dimensional elements that 

                                        add interest to the board.  Gathering items and creating 

                                        storyboards helps to create the feeling you want. 

                                        Plus, it's pretty fun to do!

                         

Sunset Romance at the Bug Juice Bar

    I finished my promotional brochure.  
The idea to create a tri-fold with several illustrations 
instead of just one appealed to me.  Recently someone told me 
these get eaten in the post office machines.  The postal worker 
didn't say anything so I am hoping they will arrive in one piece.   

                                                      (Everything looks out of order but this is how I had to design 
                                                        it for a tri-fold . When folded it all makes sense.)

The sticker design in the middle
 was used here at the bottom and wrapped
around to the front so Joey and Enid
were on the front. ( The placement now
is actually where the address goes.)

Joey waiting at the local Bug Juice Bar for Enid.  Where is she?

Finally Enid arrives.  There was a hawk causing a disturbance

on the Upper East Hillside!  

Joey presents Enid with her birthday gift; 

charmed by her talented nose.

The Elephant Shrews or Rufous Sengi are fascinating creatures.

Have fun checking them out here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzj6cex6pgA

Getting Grapes

    Working on character sketches of animals a lot lately.

Wanted to update my portfolio website but hit a few snags

so I am posting this one here for now. 

Author/Illustrator Will Terry has some great videos & classes. 

I watched this one about character design and 

my sketches immediately improved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWxdLNLKJvk

He also has an online academy, check it out here:

http://folioacademy.com/viewcontrib.php?who=wterry

Shout out of thanks to Will!!!

So tired, busy weekend. 

                                                        :)Good night >.<

                  

Fais de beaux reves...

    I stumbled on these india ink and watercolor 

paintings I did a few months ago.  Playing around 

with different media is really fun and a great way to

fuse inspiration.  Hand cut and purchased rubber stamps

helped to create a dreamlike world for this little gal.  

Stickers, gems, flowers and other kid-like goodies like 

glitter can really make my heart beat faster.  

Silly but true.

So from this I was inspired to paint these two, 

which are a little more serious and sophisticated.  

Like the way they came out a little ghost like?  

India ink sort of gives that look.  Still not super confident with it.  

Memories of high school calligraphy class and pools 

of flubbed ink may have instilled the fear!  Maybe it's just my antique pens. 

Love them, but maybe it's really time to find another method.  Micron pens work well 

but it's hard to get the varied line quality.  Pentel brushes are a bit testy and tend to go 

a bit too bold for my style.  I know I have asked before on twitter but anyone know an alternative?

Until next week, sweet dreams....u-u zzzzzZZZ

Times are hard for dreamers.

I watched Amelie today.  
Sweet, quirky film with surprisingly few stars 
on Netflix, but what do they know about great art?  

Very inspiring film in many ways.

It's a bit hard to draw 

while reading subtitles but came up with this

girl...not really sure what her story is.  

Perhaps she is preparing to write a mysterious

note to a handsome young man, or maybe digging

into her water lily bag for her sketchbook. 

There must be a bench around here somewhere.

Who could resist sketching in a quaint 

little village such as this? 

Pas moi.

Pop! goes Easter

    Last Saturday I was cleaning like Housewife Dementia

(my friend Krissy's alter ego) and neglected to post.  Here is

a little belated apology in the form of a Easter card sketch I 

did on Easter Monday...

    When I create a character sketch I have been drawing 

that character in different poses.  This is an important element 

in children's book illustration. 

Check out the what is going on at the little girl's feet!  

Another fun technique to use in illustration is to have a "secondary story".  

I wanted to add color, it being spring and Easter, 

but my time has been devoted to working on print patterns. 

(You may be interested to know her dress is a jelly bean 

print, which may be hard to tell without color.)

The color addition will have to go on the back burner until next year I suppose.

Hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Easter!   

Bookbinding, Book Making Skills!

    Picked up this great book at the library and thought I would try to
learn a new skill.  Bookbinding!  The book is called Bound
(Over 20 Artful Handmade Books) by Erica Ekrem. Find it here:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Bound-by-Erica-Ekrem?keyword=Bound+by+Erica+Ekrem&store=book
 
    First it was a little hard to wrap my head around the actual binding
process but with the help of the wonderful diagrams I was able to catch
on pretty quickly using the Coptic Stitch.
 
    I have a few rolls of vintage wallpaper which I have been wanting to
use to make books.  The directions on how to make the book covers are
excellent and also easy to follow.
 
    Anxious to make some of the other books, I ordered some leather scraps
on Etsy.  I received a beautiful assortment of various colors and textures
from ORTULeather.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ORTUleather/search?search_query=scraps&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
 
    The leather books will make beautiful sketchbooks for my personal use and
gifts...a couple below have already been claimed by very anxious little hands and
are filled with drawings/secrets I am not permitted to see! :(
 
    I have also been working on a brochure for my illustration work.  I plan to
send it to be printed this week.

If you love this wallpaper (striped and floral)
and would like your own free sample leave a friendly comment below then email me raradesign@yahoo.com.
While supplies last!

Gift tag bookmarks are fun to make too...

This simple book has a fabric cover and gift tag pages
I dyed with tea and hibiscus flowers at Christmas.

Love Note to Reading

 Found a bookmark sized scrap laying around blank so I was
persuaded to paint.  

  Thought it would be interesting to tell a little story, 
to have a story within a story.  

  A love story.  

 Who better to tell it than a foxy fox named Scarlet? 

Copyright Rachel Bollman 2015

Anyone hungry?

  Working on several creative projects right now.  I wanted to paint
the two Little Miss Big Ears sketches I posted last week but didn't have
time to finish this week.   I started one and will try my best to share
with you soon.  Lately I have been working mostly digitally and
I miss painting with watercolor.
   Here is a painting I did in January for a picture book workshop.
Reworking this story based on comments from Lindsay Ward and
Laurie Knowlton.
    Have a great week!  *V*  Happy Spring!  ~Rachel

Ready or Not

  Super busy and forgot to post yesterday.
Working on several projects at the same
time and my head is spinning.  Apologies
to those who checked in yesterday.
  Nothing finished that I can share so
thought I would give you a glimpse of
some delicate sketches for a story in progress.
  Introducing Little Miss Big Ears, babysitter
extraordinaire.  You may have gotten a peek
of her already on twitter.. a few ink
drawings.  If you want to see those check
out my twitter page.
https://twitter.com/RachelBollman

  I must go, Downton's about to start!
Cheers!

Skate

Ever have one of those days that you 

just have to take it easy? 

Started reading Rules by Cynthia Lord

http://amzn.to/1wbXp9I and just couldn't stop.

Excellent Newbery Honor Book by the way.

Maybe all this snow has me in a cabin fever 

funk because yesterday all I wanted to do was 

watch Downton Abbey nonstop.

But all that is good when it inspires you, right?

Take for example this lovely wide satin hair

ribbon which is similar to one worn by Edith.

(P.S. I am only on season four but so dreadfully 

tired of Lady Mary insulting "poor" Edith!)

Finally pushed through the resistance and

spontaneously did this little painting.

The ancient pen I used gave me some 

trouble.  Anyone know of a pen works like 

a fountain pen but is easier to handle?

I like Micron and Pentel brush pens, 

but still not the same...

This video interview with Lisa Congdon gave me a little 

push to work a bit more on my typography.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tScGj17zzYc

Love her work and collections!

Relax After A Long Wheek!

   

Wilma did not mind the rain.

Relaxing after a long day she minded even less.

I did the sketch above last week.  Last night as I sipped my

herbal tea I thought it would be fun to do a Celestial Seasonings

tea box.  I love the classic bear on the box and tried to include 

some of the comforts of his home with my own interpretation.

Sleepytime is the best and if you haven't had it you are 

really missing out.  Just take it from Wilma Wheeker.

Wheek!  Wheek!  

Going to get us a cup right now.

SCBWI Picture Book Workout Workshop Fun!

    Two weeks ago I attended the Northern Ohio SCBWI
Picture Book Workout Workshop with  Laurie Knowlton
and Lindsay Ward.  I came away focused and ready to get
back to the drawing board.  Both Laurie and Lindsay were
very helpful in giving great tips.  After presentations from
both women we worked in stations.  We began analysing
everything about our stories. During this time we could ask
questions.
 
    When Lindsay heard my pitch and saw my illustrations
she suggested that the story be from the perspective of
the animal in the story as opposed to the kids.  I knew she
was right.  That was my original thought but honestly I
chickened out because the animal is pretty tiny and I knew it
would be a tough road to illustrate from that perspective!
It will require more time and research but I know it will
be worth it.

    I have learned so much recently its a bit overwhelming.
Listening/watching videos by various illustrators has given
me valuable information.  Will Terry has some great videos
on youtube and offers some wonderful classes. Here is a
helpful video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWxdLNLKJvk
Peter Brown tells his story and also offers great insite into
the world of children's books here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w2vC-9An0k

    So what can I offer you?  Maybe you need to learn by
making mistakes too, but if you want to read on here are
a few tips...some of them are sort of common sense!

   1. Who are you as an artist?  Concentrate on your strong points.
Write down what makes your style you.  Don't get sidetracked or
discouraged by the work of others!

    2. I ended up wasting a lot of time by illustrating before I had
a solid story.  It's okay to be inspired by an illustration you do,
but if you try to write around it, it's confusing.
Have a great story, then illustrate it.  

    3. RESEARCH.  Know who and what your character is
before you spend time doing a finished illustration.  Even if
an animal is stylized you have to know what it looks like to
get the essence of it!  Know their personality! Write down
emotions and draw your character with those feelings.

    4.  Know everything that is happening in your story.
Time of day, weather, mood, etc. and then create visuals
reflecting those details.

    5.  Plot out every inch of the book with a story board then do
a book dummy.  Start sketchy if you need too, you can fine tune later.

    Here is Lindsay Ward with some sketches for her book When Blue Met Egg
and Laurie Knowlton's  first book Chilly Willy.  Their advice and presentation gave me the
boost I needed!
    Good luck with your work!  See you next time:)
 

Granny Gator's Resolutions

        
          Gertie Gator's New Year's 
                         Resolutions for 2015

        1. Enjoy more swamp juice!
        2. Worry less about what other
           gators are up to.
        3. Soothe animosity among the 
           swamp family
        4. Eat fewer turtles.
        5. Swim more. 
        6. Be more Gertie-like.
        7. Look disappointment in the
           face and bite it.
        8. Carry on...