a couple more images from 100 Futons

Here are a couple more images from my story 100 Futons, 1 Grain of Rice. There are, in the first image, 100 futons. I counted and made sure there were. Some kid is going to count them...you just know it. It took a while to do...each one has a different print. But the end result is worth it, I think. I still have clouds to add to these first two images. I may remove the transparency off the clouds on the second image. I think they look better solid after all. Decisions!

exciting news...Manga Studio interview & new works!

I am very excited about this! After having completed my bio on the About Me page here using Manga Studio, I was inspired to let them know about it. I was following them on twitter (@mangastudio) and they were following me! Their very enthusiastic and friendly blogger then invited me to interview with them for their site! Stay tuned for that! It was a fun interview and I can't wait to share it with you.

In the meantime, here are some works in progress from my book 100 Futons, 1 Grain of Rice. The first set of images shows my work from sketch to final. The sketch was hand-drawn then line-art and final colouring was all done in Manga Studio. I love the way it turned out.

 Sorry for the uncropped images...  

and the final art...

Here are a couple other illustrations from the same book...

new drawings done on my new tablet using manga studio.

"silly goose" 

this one above is for both one of my stories and a licensing line I am developing.

So, I am looking forward to seeing what you think of this new work and slightly different style. I am fairly pleased, but it will take getting used to this new look.

new tools - Manga Software + a tablet

Getting the right tools. It is so important. Certainly, once you have them, suddenly they are critical. Like having a great knife if you are a chef. For myself it comes down to the right computer and the right software. And I think I finally found all the right tools. Thank you technology!

I just got my brand new HP TM2 2050 tablet computer

 

and though there have been, and continue to be a couple of quirks, namely when I shut down in tablet position it stays there when I relaunch - so that at first, everything is upside down. That is easily fixed by putting the tablet back in tablet position and then back in computer position again. Another quirk that I haven't found an easy fix for is the pen sometimes goes in the opposite direction than the way I am moving - I found just closing and opening the program resets it...but I do wish it wouldn't do that.

I would like the descriptions in the 'context' menu for tools to show up above the tool rather than below as my pen and hand block the descriptions. I hope I can find something that will adjust that.

Otherwise, it is a dream machine and everything I hoped it would be. The learning curve on the new Windows 7 is a bit of a challenge. It would have been nice if they included more tips and instructions - especially for tablet users - as some things don't work the same way in tablet position.

Now, for Manga Studio.

I purchase the EX Hybrid version, which is the full professional version good for Mac & PC and it is priced at 299.99

this link will take you to the site AND get you 10% off the price. Save 10% on Manga Studio EX

Right out of the box this software was immediately useable and useful. The very user friendly beginner panel is right there. With a number of different tools and layer options to work with, I can create a sketch in 'blue pencil' and then when I am ready...the magic begins with inking. Now inking has thus far been my least favorite thing to do prior to getting this software. Now I think it is my favorite thing. All my lines are smoothed and perfected. The range of tools and the beautiful pressure-sensitivity I get from my pen tablet on the screen is amazing. It just looks so professional and better than when I draw with pen and paper. Editing is easier and no more smudgy pencil on my face, arms, hands etc.  I may never use pencil and paper again to sketch - this program is that good. I should add that the tools will, for the most part, be identical to those you are used to in Photoshop and that alone shortens the learning curve quite a bit. The language is familiar (nodes are called vertices though).

It will provide a number of layers and options (though it will allow only 2 colours plus transparency per layer) convert photos into tone images for use in drawings, and has a 3d design element as well - which I am not at all familiar with yet. It handles full color in CMYK or RGB. It also, within the same program, does VECTOR! It is like having illustrator and photoshop in one little compact and beautiful program.

So far, I have done sketching with amazing results, imported line art I did by hand and re-inked it so that now it is MUCH better. You can set it up like a proper book with pagination, doublepage spreads, a variety of layouts for comics and manga, and add text and more to it.

This program is fully compatible with Photoshop and I expect Corel Photopaint as well, since it will import and export all layers (if selected) as a PSD or TIFF file.

I look forward to sharing with you shortly some of my new work created with my new awesome tools.

3rd time's the charm for Liz & Pip?

Well, I have been avoiding submitting one of my stories (Liz & Pip), though it is a personal favorite, as I have not been able to figure out a suitable layout for creating a dummy. What does this mean? Well, I have finally admitted to myself that the whole illustrative concept will have to change.  To get a sense of what I have gone through on this project, this has been my journey:

1. Story idea comes to me! I write the whole thing in 5 minutes. Made a couple of small edits a few years later.

2. Begin illustrating. Complete about half of the book as a combination of collage and watercolour. The pages look pretty dull as there isn't much 'action' in the story, and I feared for rights management in the images I had appropriated.  I put it away for awhile.

3. The whole batch vanishes from my parents home. (Likely thrown out.)

4. Decide to begin developing layout - and start with little illustrated drop caps. Love them so much and it brings the necessary 'action' to the pages - begin illustrating the whole thing in giant illuminated letters. Have completed the book mostly with about 46 pages of ridiculously detailed drawings.

here is a sample

5. Very happy with most of the letters - however can't get a book layout to work. Put it away again for awhile. Did some submissions - but I wasn't quite happy with it yet.

6. Realized I must redo the whole thing. But I think I can salvage some of the letters and still use a few of them. I also think that the process of creating the last set gave me a way to make the book work. In other words, I won't lose all my work, I have a ton of my own reference material now - however, I will need to redraw it completely differently. I am actually looking forward to that now.  

All in all, 10 years of work...but this time, I will get it right. 

ripple effect...

The marvellously talented and thoughtful Kelly Light started on her blog a way for artists to contribute to the BP oil spill clean up. Artists from all over have donated original art and prints for purchase. All the proceeds are benefitting The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and The International Bird Rescue Research Center.  Check out her blog for more information on how to purchase the art that has been offered at ridiculously reasonable prices. http://ripplesketches.blogspot.com/

I have just donated 6 pieces. Please buy!!

Here is the work that I have contributed.

Turtle 1 -  Original Pen & Ink on Bristol 4" x 3 1/4"

Turtle 2 - Original Pen & Ink on Bristol 4" x 3"

Pelican  - Original Pen & Ink on Bristol 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

 

Blue Crab Original Pen & Ink on Bristol 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Oil Spill Original Pen & Ink on Bristol 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

 Dolphins Original Pen & Ink on Bristol 2" x 3 1/4"

On writing - and my latest works in the works.

I have not been blogging and so haven't filled you in lately with my new projects that I have been working on. Interestingly enough (at least to me), one is a picture book that has no words, and the other is a chapter book  with lots of words! (currently thinking for the late MG or early YA market.) The contrast is interesting.

The picture book takes place in Paris, and stars a girl, her dog, and some pigeons. It is all about love. I have no idea if this will interest anyone - but I love it. As I am working on it, I am taken right back to my time studying and living in Paris. I am thinking of doing it in mostly line art with a hint of colour. Maybe a reduced palette.

The chapter book is Arthurian, and surprisingly more commercial than anything I have done before. It takes place in modern era - but has timely twists. I am loving my characters who are interesting, quirky, complex. Currently I have about 8000 words in about 4-5 chapters or roughly 1/4 of the book written. There is so much more to say though! I had played with a couple of ideas which had been rolling around in my head for a few years. I had thought them distinct books, but never got my head around them enough to turn them into anything. It was mostly just names and geneologies for one of them, and the other seemed to gather interesting stories. What happened recently was somehow I found a missing piece that just pulled it all together. I don't even know what that piece was, only that once it was in place - all the other stories just fit right in.

I have been on a roll and writing like crazy. I have been very much inspired by all the writers I now know and follow and have learned much from them in the last year about the writing process. They keep me going. Even if it is not good writing - I am finding my characters; the process reveals them and their story. The trick to writing a chapter book is to not stop writing - even if you don't like it yet. It is a commitment you must make. So I am trying.

I will post a couple of sketches from the Paris book soon. I am vacillating between titles for both books. I don't know which one is better. For each I have a title that is more appropriate, perfect even, but less commercial that the alternative titles I have - which work - just not as well.

Maybe by the time my work is done I'll have figured it out.

making clay models

When I first began working on You Go, Goat!  - just starting to develop the character of Goat, I tried making some clay models in order to get some consistency for various viewing angles. For some reason I am having trouble uploading the rest of my not-so-good images, however you can get the idea. I used a soft, non-hardening clay so that I could play with the expressions, photograph it, and still keep it maleable should I decide to make changes.  As it happened, I found that just doing the clay model was a real help in getting proportions down and really helped with expressions - especially getting a smile. I really love sculpting in clay - it is probably one my most favorite things to do.

I felt that doing this was a good idea, and probably will continue doing this, perhaps even full body versions as I go forward developing characters. 

Here is what I made ( with apologies for the really bad photos)

   

HOW TO: draw fabric on bodies

 

Progress - Northwest Coast native art

Here are some more sketches from my moleskin. I am making some progress. Still working out ideas for how to illustrate the story - but the more I do - the closer I am getting.