The Suitcase - A Teeny, Tiny wordless picture book

I decided to add some color to my teeny, tiny wordless picture book.

I wasn't sure how I wanted to paint it.  Or if I even wanted it to remain wordless.  I couldn't think of any words that weren't already evident in the illustrations, so that was a pretty easy decision.  However, I was still left with wondering how to paint it.  I decided to try to stay with a somewhat limited palette.

I also decided to use particular colors to convey feelings.  Hopefully, they came through.
I used oranges and yellows to try to convey the little boys frustration.  I only used blue to convey how cold and what a bad idea running away is.   I used yellow to show the warmth he was feeling both from being back inside and from his mother's unconditional love.

Personally, I was quite happy with the drawings themselves (not sure about the painted versions), but I didn't get very many comments on the sketches, so I'm wondering,  do you guys like these illustrations?  Did the color help or detract?  Are the blue pages too jarring compared with the warm color pages?

Hu and Twee

Here are a couple of friends, who know what kind of things they'll do, that will come in time. Right now they may be a post card. I am playing around with how to write their names underneath them. I used prismacolor pencils for this with the pencil blender!

Sunflower Print Part 2

On my previous post, I showed my design for this sunflower print. After 4 layers of color (yellow, yellow-orange, yellow ochre, and a darker ochre) I finished the printing process. I used Akua water-based ink, Speedball blockprinting paper. and one Easy-cut block to make this 4"x4" reduction print. The bottom image is of the carved block in its final stage. I can still use the block as a one color image in the future.

It Might Be Good to Have Eight Arms

Oh no! My apologies!! I missed my turn to blog yesterday. Too much excitement this week!.

Thursday I had a deadline to submit a manuscript for a picture book writing class I'm taking at Grub Street with Beth Raisner Glass. I wrote a story about my dog (you know, the pancake) and I can't wait to start storyboarding it. I'm so happy to have discovered Grub Street!

Tuesday evening I attended a screening of Library of the Early Mind. It was an inspiring and intriguing look at the world of children's books from the viewpoints of authors and illustrators. After the film, there was a lively panel discussion, food, and a book signing. If you haven't been yet, I recommend it. It is traveling to cities all over the U.S.

As if my week wasn't inspiring enough, on Friday I visited Lilla Rogers Studio. She had an event for art directors, art buyers, designers, etc. to showcase new work. It was great fun. If you want to read more, I blogged about it here.

Illustration Friday - Spooky

I love Halloween. What are you gonna be?

Illustration Friday: Transportation

I drew this little bear a while ago.  He's inspired by my little (or not so little) brother who was, and still is, a big fan of anything with wheels.  You can see the original sketch at my blog: sarahpecorino.blogspot.com.

Illustrating in other media

Hi all - sorry for posting so late. (I have school on Wednesday nights.)
My family just celebrated my mom's birthday this past weekend. In my post this week, I thought I'd share a gift I made for her many years ago. Also proof that not all of my illustrations are painted:


I'm curious if any readers of this blog have any favorite mixed-media illustrators? For me, I recommend checking out Salley Mavor. Her work is pretty amazing.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: More sketches

Still plugging away at The Sketchbook Project.

I like to think that one day when I'm big and famous, a household name, and all that - people will enjoy looking at my old sketchbook: full of sketches, ideas, and experiments.  It's not a polished piece of art.   I do LOVE, looking at other people's "polished pieces of art" sketchbooks.  However, for me, this project is more about my growth by drawing, experimenting, and taking risks.  Some of the sketches work well, some not so well.  It's part of the process.  I'm hoping that those who take a look at my Moleskine, will get a small glimpse into how I work, and who I am.

Illustration Friday: beneath

I know they have moved onto a new prompt but here's my illustration for beneath. My son and I read an old favorite this week, Hug by Jez Alborough. I must have never looked at how the illustrations were done before and I was surprised to see that it said Prismacolor markers, a medium you do not see much anymore in books. So this week in my studio before I left I wanted to play around and here's the result.

Sarah, I tried to blend them with the pencil blender (because I don't have a marker blender) like you described but it didn't work, you're going to have to refresh my memory next meeting.

Sunflower Print

I've been having fun creating a variety of prints made from "easy cut" blocks since the summer. Right now I'm taking a printmaking class at the NH Institute of Art to learn more about professsional inks and papers suitable for for this medium, as well as new techniques. I'm really excited about the course!

A sunflower in town

My sketch of the sunflower, and the design on the block that I am going to be printing using the reduction technique. This will be a four color print when I am done. Hopefully by my next post!

Jacket Love

I signed up for the Sketchbook Project. This is my first sketch. My theme is "jackets, blankets, and sheets." I didn't know where to begin or what medium to use. I decided on colored pencil (at least for starters) since the paper is kind of thin. My daughter left her pink sweatshirt jacket hanging over a chair in the kitchen so that was the starting point. The jacket tells a story. It's about my need to have things in order and my daughter's belief that other things are more important. It's about conflict and compromise. I drew the jacket seeing her for who she is. In those moments there was something wonderful and endearing about that object messing up my kitchen. I never mentioned that she left it there and the next morning it was gone.