Read and Be Happy

I was pleased with how this image turned out.

Part of it is in line and part of it is without line, and flattened into just shapes. I always struggle between the two.

Maybe I'd be better off just going back to old fashioned pencil and watercolor... and old fashioned drawings. I never can decide.

Runaway Monkey...

I always liked this page. Maybe it's because of the red door... or maybe it's the yellow boots or the zookeeper's cap.

Or perhaps it's because of the happy faces of the story's completion.

It's from my recently illustrated book 'The Dancing Clock'.

Step by Step Cake Making

Just like making a cake... artistry is easily accomplished with a step by step method.

I find it's the singing of 'Happy Birthday!' that's the hard part. Have you ever noticed how hard it is to hit the right note from the start?

But even with the discordant singing, there are few sounds likely to elicit sentiment as 'Happy Birthday', even when warbled and off key.

'The Dancing Clock' - Color-Texture - Line

I find there are few things nicer than escaping into a picturebook... especially a picturebook you yourself have made. So I indulged myself and opened the box on the porch.


I was delighted, I have to say... once again the printed digital book seemed to fulfill every expectation. In fact I might even go so far as to say my expectations were exceeded. And that's a good thing.

While creating the illustrations to 'The Dancing Clock' I was curious how the retro-1950's effects might come out in print.

I have this thing about a crumbling brushed line that fades away into textures. I also have this thing about textures... and I daresay, I think they both worked.

I used a brush pen on watercolor paper for the lines... along with digital finishing, of course.

Because the dimensions of this book were large, it is a pleasure to dive into details with the finished book. That's one thing an e-book will never be able to do. And it has a nice booky smell... something no e-book will ever accomplish.

I'm also pleased with how the retro 1950's style turned out... I think the casual brushed line and loose bright colors and patterns came out with a terrific effect.

Thanks, Tiger Tales!