Psychology cover

It's been way too long since I posted new work. I've been working too much on my children's artwork and nothing to show there really except tons and tons of sketches. I won't bore anyone with them.

Below is a cover that I have done for an e-book by Jeffrey Rubin. I enjoyed drawing this.

Tuna?

I do enjoy letting my mind wander when writing. I can't help but think, "What if?" for each situation. For example, what in the world would a cat bring to lunch? Would he bring his food bowl? Not really good at being incognito I'd say.

Fall Scene

Ze colors! Ze colors!

Marching Band

In light of no new illustrations from my graphic novel or picture book sketches, I drew this illustration. While drawing it, I reflected upon my experiences in marching band back when. Lately, I am finding my illustrations to be more reflective upon my past experiences. It's most likely a mix of nostalgia and trying to make sense of my life.

In the movie "Midnight in Paris," the actors discuss the idea of nostalgia. When someone experiences nostalgia, they are denying their present state and glorifying another time, era, or place to ease the pain of the present. As I have been going through life, I realize that I myself have always been thinking of being elsewhere. Wherever I am, it is greener on the other side.

I think only through art am I able to make sense of life. Art and literature. I think Woody Allen was thinking the same thing when he wrote "Midnight in Paris" and "Annie Hall" way back when. Trying to make sense of life.

I know this is a lot of thought for a very simple illustration, but it's good to reflect.

Sick

So I have been sick the past week to the point that I didn't even pick up a pencil or brush or pen for 4 or five days. It is frustrating when even going one day without working on something so a week was bad enough. I did this illustration to commemorate my sore throat and tiredness. I don't want to do THAT again!

A New Postcard

The previous postcards that I have been sending have been nice, but I think will pop most nicely. It's simple and focuses on my two characters. I call them "Larry Beary" and "Mary." It's fun writing THAT over and over again. Larry Beary and Mary Larry Beary and Mary Larry Beary and Mary!

Let me first say this. I don't know how long I've had this epson photo scanner, but it took me that long to figure out how to get a clean scan without all that horrible white filling up my work. Now my whites are whites and blacks are blacks and that's before it goes into Photoshop! True, the light washes are kinda blotchy, but it's something I can fine tune on my work easily.....

So it's also been a while since I have posted. Therefore, I have lots of new stuff to share. Mostly, it's just a sneek peak of what I am working on.

First are the character sheets for my GN.

Then a spread from a new picture book I am concocting. I am rather proud of this spread even if this tree branch doesn't physcially exist!

So I am pleased with how things are going so far.

Professor Boddington

Not many people know this, but for all the work that it takes to keep my studio, drawings, emails, and expenses up-to-snuff, I have a secretary. He is actually a retired professor named Professor Boddington. I thought at first that a professor would be a great help to me and my work. Instead, he's actually a huge hindrance. Professor Boddington is always yapping when I need quiet time. He never answers emails or the phone and he doesn't send out invoices correctly. And now, he's taking a month-long vacation which he claims is paid because its "good for his arthritis." So he's out galavanting in India right now!!!!! On my dime!!!!!

I need to get this dumb professor replaced.

Washington Crossing Park

I was very fortunate as a kid to grow up with Washington Crossing State park right behind my back yard. In hindsight, I did not take full advantage of the park (I was not a huge outdoor kid). I think only until moving out for college, I've begun to appreciate the scenery and nature the park was full of more. The sound of Canadian geese especially. Crickets at night. Lots of trees. It's funny how you don't appreciate something until it's removed from you. It may be the springtime in me that's talking right now. Appreciating being able to be outside more again!

More Felix

I've been itching to get the story written out so I can start sketching and drawing! So I made these to practice more drawing. I still can't decide to draw the characters in brush or pen. It's always been a question for me whether to use a brush or a pen to draw. Though the drawings come out mostly looking the same, there are very subtle nuances between the way I use a brush and a pen which can make or break a drawing for me. For most drawings now, I use them interchangeably.

I've also been wondering about the relationship between Felix and Jenny. When reading children books that I've enjoyed, I've looked at characterization. What makes them work? It makes me reflect upon an article that Al Capp of "Li'l Abner" fame wrote once. He said to study Dickens for their fully realized (or exaggerated) characters.

Though he wrote numerous novels (which one day I hope to read all), Dickens uses the same characters for each novel. The protagonists from David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and Great Expectations were always good-natured humans when ample amounts of affection and love. You can't help but like them. Then there's the angelic feminine creature that is always a moral compass. Then the expressive antagonists that enjoy their evil nature like Uriah Heep, Miss Havesham, and Fagin. Coming back to childrens book, I've noticed that the authors like Roald Dahl, Norton Juster, Lemony Snicket, and JK Rowling have developed their characters the same way. That's what makes the characters so colorful and pop!

Back to my story, if Felix is the protagonist of the story, he'd have to be good natured and likable. But how to describe the relationship between him and Jenny? Surely they'd be best friends. But how? This is where character sheets would help further define how they would act together. I've rambled on enough for now.