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...