Illustration Friday: TRAIN

Shayla was scared but ready to get started on her new adventure!

This week's image was inspired by the excitement/nerves of starting something new, going on a trip!, getting new impressions, handing over your ticket. Thinking of parents and coworkers traveling to Europe recently, making contact with an old friend on Facebook, and, more darkly, contemplating the choices the Marathon bombers made that changed many lives forever. Which trip are you going to take?

From a story about....raccoons!!

Illustration Friday: URBAN

For urban, I wanted to convey the feeling of astonishment and delight when you first step up into a busy city from a subway or bus and find yourself in the middle of vibrant activity. Years ago, my dad and I took a bus to New York City to go see the David Letterman show live. I remember the excitement of so many things going on at once, and the "gestalt" (did I use this word correctly?) of taking it all in in one moment.

Illustration Friday: EGG

Version A: Background full strength

Version B: Lighter background


Not sure what the inspiration was for this week's image, but some definitely came from Garth Williams' county fair images in "Charlotte's Web" that I got a chance to see at the Eric Carle Museum earlier this year. Also, from being at the Topsfield Fair: no matter how many crazy rides or games are there, the chick incubators still attract the biggest crowds. There's nothing like the beginning of life, the struggle to get there, to wow us.

Illustration Friday: SWIM

I was inspired by a few minutes of a nature show about penguins I watched over the weekend -- gray fluffy baby penguins trying to make it in a harsh environment. This little guy I pictured as trying to over-prepare for something he was born to do -- swim!!

I struggled a lot with this week's image -- I had a hard time making the character my own and not a fuzzy animated bowling pin! Also, water and arctic landscapes are always a bit intimidating to me.

Illustration Friday: EYEGLASSES

This week's image was inspired by ... the eye doctor! So many weird things happen at the eye doctor: that giant machine with the flippy lenses in front of your eye, the giant doctor as he/she approaches your eyes with instruments, lights, probes -- is it clearer now? or now?

Illustration Friday: YESTERDAY

This week's illustration was inspired by a talk show I heard on the radio recently about the new google glasses and the prevalence of connected devices. The guest commented on how important it is for kids to have the experience of being stuck in a car on a long trip without any devices, with nothing to do except look out the window, experience reality, and reflect on things; that it is an important part of forming an identity. "Are we there yet???"

Justine Siegal's TedX talk!!

Major league batting practice pitcher Justine Siegal used the sketch I did of her at the end of her fantastic TedX talk on following your dreams. :D !!

Illustration Friday: TALENT

This week's illustration was inspired by my nephew, Rhain, who is able to squish himself between the sofa and the ottoman and was demonstrating his skills with toe bending. My family's got talent!!

Elizabeth Dulemba, Illustrator!

I just heard a great interview with illustrator Elizabeth Dulemba on an Escape from Illustration Island podcast. Her website is FULL of great stuff -- images, books, coloring pages, apps, ideas, advice -- her work is great and her marketing efforts are fantastic.

I especially like her new book, Lula's Brew, about a witch who wants to make great food instead of evil potions!

Illustration Friday: WHISPER

"Stay still! They almost never think to look up here!"

Illustration Friday: WOOL!

Did this week's early for once! This one was a fun one, though taking clothes from a Goodwill box for a snowman could be seen as a bit controversial.

Illustration Friday: STORM

I'm guessing a lot of entries this week will be snow related! Mine is inspired by my comfortable cat, who always sees the opportunities in something soft and sleep-worthy. Also, the feeling of being snug and safe inside while the outdoors is transforming into an arctic landscape.

Character Mentor: a good read!

Here's a good book about character illustration that I've been reading lately, Character Mentor. It's been a great help as I try to make my illustration characters seem more alive. Things like tilting the head, twisting the body, ways to make characters look less stiff. I am still absorbing it, and there's lots I haven't quite gotten to yet (which way do clothes fall?) but it's been a real help! It's a nice companion to Walt Stanchfield's Drawn to Life.

Illustration Friday - WHEEL!

This one was finished under the wire! The boy has kind of a giant head, the whole unicycle is a little awkward, but I had fun drawing it!

Leaning side to side to keep his balance was part of staying upright, and Alowishus finally made it all the way up and down the driveway without stopping once. Ta daaa!

Illustration Friday -- MYTH

Very rushed and struggled with it this week -- hope I got it in under the wire!

Illustration Friday -- Ocean

This week's Illustration Friday challenge OCEAN coincided with my big brother's birthday. He and I used to rock together in the living room rocking chair and yell out, "Ship, Ships Ahoy!!!"-- pretending we were on the ocean. I have no idea if that comes across in the image, but it was such a great memory I wanted to try to portray it. Happy Birthday, Matt! Ships Ahoy!

Norman Rockwell Museum

We took a trip to the Berkshires that included a stop at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. Both museums were full of interesting and inspiring images and stories. At the Eric Carle, an exhibit of Garth Williams' process work and final illustrations for Charlotte's Web was my favorite, at Norman Rockwell, a chance to sketch from his large original paintings was a great way to appreciate the compositions.

Below is a sketch I did of Norman Rockwell's "Football Hero" and photos (not taken by me) of the museum.

Illustration Friday: NEW!

Simon delighted in the feel and shine of his new skin, why had it taken him so long to shed the old one? He couldn't wait to show everyone.

Illustration Friday: SNOW!

Hooray for snow! After you fall off the sled, it's so great to just lie there in a pile, snow slowly sinking into your clothes, watching and listening to the snow...

(Maybe I gotta stop working right at the deadline!!! I got this IF post done in time, but wish I had more time to correct some things -- the girl's face needs some work, and the snow scene needs a bit of adjusting so it really looks like the boy's head is in the snow and there's an up-close pile.)