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!

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 :-)

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 :-)

Cartoon asks, 'When it comes to social media and networking, can you really have too many friends?'

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).... :-)

Beware...Fall political campaigning is coming!

The onslaught of political ads has already begun...and it's already getting nasty. This does not make me look forward to things kicking into high gear this fall when both sides come out in full force. Like the attached cartoon, they can dress it up all they want but their true colors, red & blue, always show through. __Could make for a spooky Halloween.

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!

Illustration brings attention to your project!

I love what I do, and if I could sit around and create for the pure joy of it, I would! BUT...a guy has to make a living, and that means promoting one's self. Reminding existing and potential clients that I'm out here and I'm eager to work for them and create with them! __Wish me luck :-) Thanks!!!!

Have fun with illustration!

When illustrating about 'fast animals on the safari'...I wanted to take a different approach, away from the obvious. Something unexpected, something fun! __I know from working around, and drawing for, preschoolers that one of their favorite animals is the cheetah, and while they like it when I doodle out a cheetah stretched out and running...they always giggle when I doodle that same 'fast cheetah' running upright, like humans! __Being a Track & Field fan, I envisioned the cheetah running hurdles, but since there are no hurdles in the safari...why not have the cheetah hurdling over the tall grasses as he is in pursuit of a swift gazelle? Better yet, have him, the cheetah, wearing a true track uniform and spikes! I played the gazelle more straight forward with slight exaggeration and expression, thus keeping the main focus on the cheetah. ___The key here is....HAVE FUN WITH IT!

Illustration that's open to interpretation.

Many of the illustrations I create are done to accompany a written article or story. When this is the case the content (text) of the article makes the exlanation, or meaning,  of the illustration pretty self-explanatory. But when that same illustration is left to stand alone on its own, without any copy or explanation, I am often fascinated by the wide variety of interpretations the same illustration can ellicit. From good to bad, hilarious to hellfire, sigh to deeply intellectual, etc.
The illustration below is a good example of this. __ Trust me, it was created in the spirit of fun..but, without saying more, I'll leave it up to your imagination to decide the meaning, if any, behind this lovely image.  I'll never tell :-)

 

Creating Kid Friendly Characters

The manic, overly exaggerated characters I've been creating of late do not always work or transfer over to the children's market. so when creating a caterpillar character for a children's piece, I back off and soften the character. Still trying to maintain an inviting, non-threatening, friendly character with personality...and pants :-)

Steps for coloring the MANIC OLD DOG illustration!

I recently created an editorial illustration about older dogs and their, sometimes, manic excitement when it comes to dinnertime. We all have to have something to look forward to. Apparently, old dogs look forward to dinnertime...as do I :-) __Anyhow, I wanted to share a few of the different stages of creating the illustration, once the pencil sketch had been chosen. 1) The base b/w lineart. 2) The addition of flat colors. 3)  Laying in some shading 4) Changing the b/w lineart to color and adding a soft background.
The process takes a bit of time but I enjoy the feel of the final illustration...as did the client :-)

Humorous Editorial Illustration lightens heavy subject matter.

Getting to create a humorous editorial illustration is great fun, when given the opportunity to take on a heavy subject matter, such as, 'PARENTING- ARE YOU READY TO ENTER THE RING WITH YOUR INFANT?' __More clients should consider this clever approach when dealing with serious subject matter. It's an awesome way to bring attention to an article and draw in your readers.__But, hey, I'm just a Humorous Illustrator :-)

Can you tell what sports team your neighbor likes?

When your neighbor sits outside on their patio, watching sports programs on their TV,...it doesn't take a lot to figure out who they're cheering for...or against :-)

Be Happy Like a Hippo!

Some days can be really tough. Things, or people, can try and bring you down. That's when you need to remember that you have a choice. Choose to be HAPPY LIKE A HIPPO!!!

Do your illustration assignments start to run together?

When illustration assignments start to run together things can get pretty...WEIRD :-)

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