Looking forward to illustrating that next book project!

Some of the fun things for me about illustrating books for the Children's Market is the wide variety of subject matter, working with the different editor/art directors and their various publishers, bringing fun/humor to, sometimes, not so humorous topics, illustrating the words of some great writers and the feedback from children, teachers and others who have read any of these books! __I always look forward to, and welcome, that next book assignment!

Child-like joy of pen to paper!

My favorite form of drawing, what comes most natural and is the most pleasurable for me...has always been the looseness of drawing off the cuff. Laying down NO pencil sketches, no tracing over preexisting lines....just going right at the paper with pen in hand and working through the improv of what goes from my hand through the marker to paper!
Many artists/cartoonists will tell you their pencil sketches are the favorite part of their work because the inked over lines never retain the loose, action-filled expressive line that comes from throwing down those first unhibit lines of a rough sketch. I can tell you that my own illustrations that are finalized by going back and inking over my pencil sketch aren't near as loose, fun or spontaneous, in my opinion, as my off the cuff work. __So, when I have the chance to sit down and just let pen go straight to paper, I'm as tickled as anyone to see what turns out from the spontaneous flow.
The illustration below is an example of pen (marker) directly to paper. I created this, this afternoon when I got home from my part-time gig and just needed some creative time to unwind. It started with no particular idea in mind, I just drew the nose (which turned into the bear) and improvised from there. The illustration created itself pretty quickly, and that's the magic of drawing that I enjoyed as a child. Pretty cool to still be able to experience that child-like joy...at my age :-)

Part-time job allows for making a Cartoon Connection with Children

Monday through Friday of this summer I work at a part-time job helping out with a childcare type of program. Specifically, I am around prospective kindergarteners and 1st graders. This job is rewarding and challenging at the same time...but I have to say, one of my favorite parts of the job is when I get the chance to sit with and draw for some of these children. It allows me to share my gift with the kids, to encourage them and most importantly to get to know them. Art is a wonderful tool for making this kind of connection, and I'm fortunate that my employer values what I do and encourages it and utilizes it.
Typically I'll ask the student what they'd like me to draw (keeping it simple, within reason...I do a lot of dolphins, mermaids, unicorns, rainbows, horses, flowers and their name done in bubble letters), then I doodle it out for them and then they'll sit at the same table with me and color the drawing in! And sometimes I'll doodle out some goofiness (see sample images attached below) and color it in, myself, along with the children while they color their sketches! They, the kids, keep me hopping and cranking out the cartoons. __While this is truly a way for me to give back, to inspire and to connect...most of the time it just feels like fun :-)

Cartoon Pirates for the kids!

The theme at the Summer Child Care (Kindergarten & 1st Grade) program this week is 'Pirates!' The last two mornings I have enjoyed the assignment of drawing, on location, a male and a female Pirate, where the face area will be cut out and the kids will stand with their faces in the open area and have their pictures taken!
These images are both approximately four foot high, drawn (on the floor, on hands and knees) with Sharpies and illustrated with joy! Such a fun and rewarding kind of assignment! I'd love to do these kinds of things all day long :-)

Beautiful day to walk the dog and fly the cat :-)

An evening of sketching naked Santa and jungle fun...not related :-)

I didn't spend part of this June evening sketching out naked Santas' just because I wanted to. They're for a job related purpose, I just can't say what at this time. Anyhow, they were kind of fun to play around with...and that growth on his stomach, that's his bellybutton...before you go and interpret it as something else :-) The other rough sketch is a kid related project. Just another step in working through the creative process :-)

Drawing with, and for, children is great for the spirit!

Other than the daily interactions of working with and being around preschoolers...a very favorite part of  my job is when our classroom schedule allows me the opportunity to sit down and draw with, and for, the children. They are so appreciative and excited...as am I! :-)

Another look inside the ol' sketchbook!

Continuing along the subject of 'one's sketchbook'...here's another page. This page was revisited several times over the course of a month or so. Again, hardly anything pertains to anything else on the page but each little image is it's own story. __For me, this is part of the fun I look forward to, when I go back in the future and try and recall what I was thinking or working on when doodling and sketching these things out :-)

Working it out in the sketchbook!

My sketchbooks might be an example of what ADHD may look like. Totally unrelated sketches crammed onto the same page with no apparent train of thought but random images floating all over. Some more finished than others, some not finished at all and a lot of doodles. But the reality is, all the images actually are leading to something. It's all part of the process :-)

I miss being able to run!

Running used to be one of my favorite things to do. Not jogging, although that was enjoyable too, but running. Just booking around the track! But due to knee issues, it's been years since I've been able to enjoy that.__On nice days like today, I miss it all the more. __Guess I'll let my cartoon friends run for me :-)

Excited to see Santa Claus!

I like the idea of Santa being greeted by all of his elves upon his return. What a celebration that must be! Anyhow, with that in mind, yesterday, I created the b/w image in my sketchbook, just for the fun of it. But last night those little guys were just begging for me to toss some color onto them...so I did! Santa is real! Just ask the elves, they'll tell ya! :-) Happy Holidays!!!

Wishing you a Humorous Illustrator HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

BATTY for Halloween!

Creating images for Halloween is always so much fun, because you can't go wrong when creating  and making up your own creatures or characters! Cute bats, ugly bats, mean bats, happy bats...it's all goooooood :-) No restrictions, just wide open, unbridled creativity! Plus, you get to draw gross stuff... and because it's Halloween...it's okay :-)

Black and White vs. Full Color Illustration

I'm a HUGE fan of black and white illustration! But having said that, I cannot deny that, sometimes, taking that black and white illustration and converting it to a full color illustration can have a real dramatic impact on that same illustration and really make it pop! __The b/w 'Little Dog' image that I created last  Friday night...got the full color treatment this Friday night! Personally, I like both approaches, but it's fun to compare and contrast both options! Hope you like'em, too :-)

Artwork created while my wife sleeps!

I've mentioned in the past how, on certain evenings after my wife has fallen asleep, I will slip over to a drafting table we have in our bedroom, sit down and create for the pure joy of it. Well, I also look at it as practicing what I do, but the goal is just to unwind, relax and see where the pen takes my hand. This particular night, the pen had 'small dog attitude' on it's mind. __You just never know what the end result of these 'night time-wife sleeping' creations will be. But, they're always enjoyable :-)

Cartoons from 1993 bring modern day joy to this father.

Recently I was cleaning the bedroom my son grew up in (He's now 24 and lives 1,000 miles away). As you might guess, there's a mix of emotions when a parent goes through the things of their child's childhood. Imagine my surprise when I came across these three illustrations I did for him back in 1993, when he was 4 years old. __To me, they, the cartoons, were as powerful as finding an old love letter. There were no written words of love but rather, when I look at the cartoons I can see and remember the love that went into them. I see me trying to create images that he, my son, my little boy, would enjoy, make him smile and ultimately laugh or giggle. 

I wasn't paid a cent for these illustrations, but the hugs I got from my, then, 4 year old son when he received them, were worth more than anything in the world.__Now that's a good memory :-)

Illustration for the Children's Market

I have spent the majority of this summer creating illustrations pertaining to the children's market, mostly in the educational realm. I truly love working in this area for it allows a great level of creativity and imagination! Working with Art Directors and Editors who support that approach and celebrate the joy that is a child's imagination is such a treat!

Friday night and relaxing with pen and paper!

Friday night sometimes find me trying to unwind from the week by drawing for nobody but me. This typically means that after my wife has drifted off to sleep, I'll get up, grab some pens and paper, sit at the drawing table in our bedroom and just start inking with no real thought, or direction, in mind...other than to create, have fun and relax. __Such is the resulting image you see below. I call it, THE PARASITE!..but only because that's what the little guy who's attached himself to the big guy reminds me of. The end result of these drawings never have to have any profound meaning to me. I simply enjoy creating and seeing what ends up on the paper. ___So there you have it...my wild and exciting Friday night (sigh).... :-)

Using ILLUSTRATION for that special occasion!

Consider using illustration to celebrate and promote your special event! Case in point, here's an illustration I did some years ago to celebrate my high school class reunion. The cartoon mimics the traditional setting for our Senior class photo, taken every year outside in front of the entrance to our high school. I simply went back and changed the number on the banner to match this year's 35th reunion date...which we'll be celebrating tomorrow!

 

Illustration is sometimes about a play off of words.

When illustrating about a particular subject matter, I look for keywords or phrases in the copy that I can play off of when trying to create a fun illustration that ties into the article. Such is the case when creating a simple, fun piece of artwork about a child's 'loooooong day of reading.' Giraffe = Long...taadaa!