24 Wednesday May 2017
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
By Emily Asaro
I’ve always dreamed of illustrating children’s’ books since I was little, but I didn’t quite know how to get there. After college, I was lucky enough to secure an animation production job. I love my job, but it isn’t an art job. Being surrounded by so many talented artists, it was very easy to feel self-conscious about my own work. I found myself coming home tired and creating less art. All too often I was asking myself, “Am I a real artist? Am I good enough?” Continue reading
22 Wednesday Mar 2017
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
By Annelouise Mahoney
Picture books are like little paper theaters inviting us to take a journey. When we provide a believable sense of space, we invite our readers to step into that world.
Environments are important to me. When I develop a character for a story, I think a lot about where the character lives, what their home looks like, and more importantly, why the character lives there. How does the environment serve the story? Does it set a mood, an atmosphere, a feeling of home, or uncertainty? The answers to these questions lead me to do lots of research to determine the particular elements needed to create a specific environment that suits the story. Continue reading
07 Wednesday Dec 2016
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
Meet SCBWI member and illustrator Lauren Gallegos in this quarter’s “Illustrator’s Gallery.” Read on to hear Lauren’s story and see some of her amazing illustrations!
In one of my early illustration classes in college, a professor gave us a quiz to see if we were more cut out for being an in-house illustrator or a freelance illustrator. The test placed me VERY much in the camp of in-house illustrator based on my personality and working style. I was pretty discouraged by this. I was still new to the illustration world (I started out in Graphic Design), but was already on my way down the path of wanting to become a children’s book illustrator. In my mind, that could only mean that I had to do freelance. So what did I do? I set out to prove that quiz wrong! No one was going to put me in a box and tell me what I was destined to be! Continue reading
21 Wednesday Sep 2016
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
Tags
awards, conferences, illustrator, illustrator tips, illustrators, picture book, portfolio tips, portfolios, SCBWI members
SCBWI member Anne Berry is an illustrator living and working in Huntington Beach, California. She’s been doodling ever since she found paper and pencil, and could get her cats to sit long enough for a portrait. At the 2015 SCBWI Summer Conference, she won the SCBWI Mentorship Program award and the Portfolio Honor Award. Read on for her valuable tips about perfecting your own portfolio and to check out her awesome illustrations!
29 Wednesday Jun 2016
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
Tags
Cintiq, digital illustration, how-to, illustrator tips, illustrators, Stephanie Olivieri, tools, Wacom
Illustrator and animation artist, Stephanie Olivieri, takes us on her journey from pencil to pixel in this quarter’s “Illustrator’s Gallery.” Read on for tools, tips, and encouragement if you’re looking to switch from hand drawing to digital, are deciding if you should, or would just like to compare digital notes with another fantastic illustrator!
I made the transition from hand drawing to drawing on the computer officially in 2012. It was something that I fought against for years, saying that people still needed and loved traditional art, but now that I’m digital, I have found that it’s invaluable. I sometimes will do a mixed media piece, but the freedom that an artist has once on the computer is amazing. I find that with enough practice, an artist can mimic traditional illustration and painting, with the biggest difference being drying time and the ability to make changes easily. Continue reading
24 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
Award-winning illustrator/author Catherine Rayner shares her process, projects, and illustrations in this edition of “Illustrator’s Gallery.”
I often get asked why I chose to be an illustrator. Well, I’ve always found drawing therapeutic. I was the child who secretly loved it when it rained as it meant you could stay indoors and draw. I used to draw our pets. We had a sausage dog called Wilfred and he featured in most of my pictures. The first book I ever wrote, illustrated and made was about him being naughty. My mum still has it. I was about four. I think I knew then I wanted to be an author and illustrator. But like most dreams, you don’t expect them to come true.
20 Wednesday Jan 2016
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery, Illustrator's Perspective
Tags
Getty, historical fiction, illustrator, local, nonfiction, parent, picture book, Renee Graef, Two Views, Same Book
Today, we present Part One of the series featuring both the illustrator and author of the historical fiction children’s picture book, Thérèse Makes a Tapestry.
Renée Graef, an SCBWI member, is the illustrator of this beautiful book. Set in the time of King Louis XIV’s reign of France (1643-1715), Thérèse’s father is a painter who travels with the king; their family lives at the Gobelins Manufactory where world-famous tapestries are made (and are still being made today!). Although women and girls are not permitted to weave, Thérèse practices at home. The book reveals how Thérèse surprises those around her.
23 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
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Writing about my busiest day now as an illustrator and author is a little tricky. In the past, it would have included teaching. For almost six years, I have taught at the Academy of Art University while pursuing my publishing career. Teaching is incredible. I’ve learned so much about the process of creating a book by explaining it to eager, enthusiastic students. However, working two full time careers at the same time, like I’m sure many of you know, is both physically and mentally draining.
12 Wednesday Aug 2015
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
Drawing is Therapy and Dirty Dishes are Annoying
I’m not entirely sure how strange a concept this is to other creative folks, but I’ve discovered that while I’m working on illustrations for a book, I’m thinking about everything. I mean, really…all the things. My mind jumps back and forth from the decorations in my childhood bedroom, to my friend’s desire to own a corgi, to my failed attempt at making beef stew the night before, to wondering if I remembered to take the garbage out. I try to block out that last type of thought because those are the distractions that have the ability to make me get up and lose focus. For instance, all of a sudden desperately needing to do the dishes; that stuff can wait. Or can it? Gah!
24 Wednesday Jun 2015
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
Tags
What have I done?! Two decades into my art career and I go and completely change my style! Have I gone crazy?! Well, yes and no. Being an artist means constantly learning and growing at your craft so you don’t stagnate or burn out. Change is a necessary part of being an artist.
Kite Tales 