Friday, October 21, 2011

Hear hear!

























Click on the image to read this really great proclamation about picture books, signed by Mac Barnett, Dan Santat, Sophie Blackall, and lots of other great kidlit people. It made my day! (You can also click here to see it.)

Monday, October 17, 2011

Emma and Mr. Knightly




















I watched Emma over the weekend. So enjoyable. I also did lots of little experiments on watercolor paper.

For years I've been using illustration board to do my watercolor illustrations. I can't remember exactly why I started using illustration board, but lately I haven't been terribly fond of it. And after I watched Marla Frazee's demonstration on stretching watercolor paper at the SCBWI Summer Conference, I felt inspired. So I ordered some lovely, bright white Arches watercolor paper from Dick Blick... And I am in love.

"Oh how the paint flows evenly over the paper!" I said to my husband. "Oh how my pencil glides over the creamy surface!" I declared. He smiled wanly, in an attempt to show understanding. But alas, he couldn't really, truly share in my excitement. But surely YOU, dear friend, will understand the magic of finding just the right new art supply?

Oh watercolor paper, you are the Mr. Knightly to my Emma... it took a little while, but now I finally see how wonderful you are. *sigh*

Monday, October 10, 2011

Snow White sketches

























I've been mulling over an idea for a personal project having to do with fairytales... more on that another day. In the meantime, I was trying to figure out what Snow White might look like.

Also, head on over to Between the End Pages to see my "Scribble Off" version of "Song" (as well as a photo of 13 year old me in a cowboy hat) and Jill's super spectacular Lion Mask!!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Millicent Margot McDoodle


























This is Millicent. You might remember her from such blog posts as "Zombies are the worst and other conference notes". Millicent is one tough cookie. I've grown quite fond of her and her no nonsense ways.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Little Eleanor
















I've spruced up my website a bit, especially the links page, where you can see another version of plucky Little Eleanor.