What I'm working on today...

2012 Fairytale Project: Beauty and the Beast drawing

Feeling a little rusty...

Yesterday I went to the Museum of Nature and Science in Denver and did some drawing.  I've realized lately that I've been spending so much time drawing from my head that I'm no longer very comfortable drawing from life.  I think maybe I'll start making a weekly trek down to Denver to draw the museum's beautiful animals.

What do you do to keep up your drawing chops?  Do you have any special fixes when you're feeling rusty?  What do you do to help yourself grow as an artist?  These are things I've been thinking about lately and I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)   

2012 Fairytale Project: Beauty and the Beast sketches

Monday Greetings!  For April's fairytale illustration I decided to use June's suggestion of Beauty and the Beast. 

I've had a hard time getting started on this one as I'm not in the habit of drawing beastly characters and I couldn't get the Disney version out of my mind.  But after coming across this illustration by Edmund Dulac, I started to feel free to experiment.  It's fun to be drawing a character that's so different from my usual fare and I'm excited to try a new way of working for the final illustration.  I wonder what will happen.

Also, remember the bat boy photo that was in the tabloids years ago?  I think I must have inadvertently been channeling that when I drew the sketch on the lower left.  Creepy.    

So much to see

 

I'm in the mood for a trip.  Maybe somewhere with palm trees and beaches. 

Hello You

 

Oh! Hello you!  Have you visited my friend, Jill's, blog lately?  I think you'll like it.

Also, in case you're in the market for some fairytale art, this morning I added my Snow White illustration to my Etsy Shop.

And here's an article that you might find interesting about the potential banning of a book illustrated by Adam Rex.   

Oh, and one more thing...  Here's a book you might like.  :)

Hello Monday

Nursery Rhyme prints on Etsy!

I've been adding new items to my Etsy shop, including this "twinkle twinkle little star" print.  I've also added a print of my "Thumbelina" illustration as well as some nursery rhyme inspired prints.  And there's more to come in the next few days!  Hooray!

Illustration Friday: Vocal

 

This chatty kitty was inspired by my kitty, James.  I've known other cats, but never one as vocal as James.  Especially in the morning.  James has lots of important things to say in the morning... or when there's food around, like hard boiled eggs, or biscuits.  Yep, my cat likes biscuits. 

In other exciting news, I added some new nursery rhyme inspired prints to my Etsy shop.  Take a look! 

  

Hi Pretty

 

I've been enjoying drawing lots of animal characters lately.  They make me happy.  I'm also getting ready to add some new prints and note cards to my Etsy shop.  

Soon it will be time to register for the SCBWI conference in L.A, which I'm reeeaaallly excited about.  Are you going to the conference too?

Have you heard about "The ABCs of Northern Ghana"?  Take a look!  It includes an illustration by last year's SCBWI portfolio winner, Eliza Wheeler.

Also, SCBWI's featured illustrator for April is Ben Clanton.  Speaking of things that make me happy, Ben's work does just that. 

I hope you're having a nice Tuesday!

Happy Monday

Birthday Bear

Happy happy birthday to my husband, Bill, and his sister, Tammy!  (They're exactly two years apart).  Bear and Bird are sending you both some birthday cheer!  (And so am I). 

(image copyright 2012 Brooke Boynton Hughes.  Just a reminder to please ask permission before using my images.  I'm nice!  I'll probably say yes.   Thanks! )

Warm-up sketch