This one has a little bit of digital details, but I’m not sure I like the color and contrast as much as the originals below.
I love this one the most. I like the high contrast, and simplicity in the hair. These were brightened(exposure) on my iphone Photoshop app. Somewhere here is where I want to be.
-Shanda
Sometimes your mommy might call you her little mouse, but that’s silly because you’re probably nothing like a mouse at all!
“Little Mouse” by Alison Murray
DISNEY HYPERION BOOKS, 2013
SHANDA: I have been hungry for a new book! So, I let myself walk into a bookstore and judge the books by their covers, literally! I didn’t read this before I bought it. I just loved the art, and took it home :) Lucky for me, the writing is lovely too. It’s really a book of comparisons and what animals you might be similar to. I am drawn to the color palette, lines, and shapes this illustrator uses. My favorite page is the precious hug at the end. The simplicity isn’t too simple for me. This is the sweet spot I’d like to find in my own work.
HJ: I like this book because I’m not like a mouse either!
Here’s the project… Learn to draw a mouse on your own! Watch the video below…
How to draw a mouse: tutorial by a 3-year-old from Shanda on Vimeo.
I just got home from a fun morning with 18 of the coolest kids in town at the Ball Ground Public Library! And they’ve got SKILLS! There’s just something extra neat about younger kids and their confidence in their art. I’m used to teaching big kids (high-schoolers) who are much more scared of failing. I was really nervous at first teaching these younger ones, but I was reminded how amazing kids are. They made me feel so welcome and comfortable and happy :) Just another reminder that I’m in the right place, pursuing the career of my dreams. If I keep doing stuff like this as an unpublished illustrator, I’ll be “fit as a fiddle” when I need to do workshops and talk to kids, etc. as a published illustrator.
Look how great these portraits turned out!…
I think it was a hit! And I’m so grateful for everyone who came today! And thanks for letting me know you had a good time!
Love,
Shanda!
So far, I am enjoying this process. The ability to take more risks with colors, strokes, and lines (because it is easily reversed if I don’t like the result) is priceless. It’s pretty freeing and liberating. I am so glad I decided to try this new digital territory. I feel like it’s going to be important in my journey to publication.
This morning I had the luxury of a quiet morning alone with a cup of coffee and my current favorite music :) I know I need to draw every day if I possibly can, even if just for a quick few minutes. So, I camped out in my yard and drew my neighbor’s house across the street. A single dad lives there. It is too cute that he hangs a wreath on his front door!
A Picture Book & A Project: “The Paper Bag Princess” written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko and paper bag fashion design!
Elizabeth was a beautiful princess about to marry a handsome prince, then one day a dragon ruined everything… or so she thought. The tragedy taught Elizabeth how to spot a bum… and just in time!
“The Paper Bag Princess” written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko
ANNICK PRESS, Seventieth printing, 2012
SHANDA: This book was sent to HJ by some NYC friends. No wonder this book is a classic! The story is super fun and packed with a very important life lesson about the danger and stupidity of being in love with one’s image whether it be a forest-burning dragon or a royal prince or princess. The art has a nostalgic look for me (from the 80’s). It’s funny, unreal, and too real all at the same time. Great for young and older kids. HJ ALWAYS says “AGAIN!”
HJ: I like her paper bag, because I love it!
Image from “The Paper Bag Princess”
Now let’s embark on some paper bag fashion design! You’ll need: large paper bag, small paper bags, markers, sticky rhine stones, scissors, dolls to dress.
Step 1: Cut holes in paper bags for head and arms.
Step 2: Design your paper bag princess dresses however your heart desires.
Step 3: Try them on and play!
This project could be made more complex for older kids with trimmings, belts, beads, tiaras, etc. Let them get as creative as they want. Happy fashion designing! (I would love to get photo emails from kids who enjoyed this project :) For more books and projects visit “A Picture Book & A Project” category.
Love,
Shanda and HJ
FREE Art Workshop for kids ages 6-12! Wednesday, July 10th, 10:30 am with local illustrator (me)! limited spots, call the Ball Ground Public Library at 770-735-2025 to register.
A Picture Book & A Project: “Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover” by Cece Bell and making a pizza!
Rabbit and Robot have a sleepover, and rabbit has a checklist of fun things to do and a certain order to do it in! When things don’t go exactly as planned, Robot helps Rabbit learn to go with the flow and still have a great time :)
Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell
CANDLEWICK, 2012
SHANDA: First of all, I’m TOTALY into robots right now! Second, this artwork made me smile. It’s simple, sweet, accessible, and highly effective. I just love it. This book is more like an easy reader, lots of pages, with simple words like Dr. Seuss books. The ending and little happenings along the way were cute and subtly surprising. HJ asked for this one several times, night after night :)
HJ: I like when the robot put nuts and bolts and screws on his pizza!
Image from Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell.
Now let’s make a pizza just like Rabbit and Robot did… (Make 2 pizzas if you want different toppings on each one.)
Hope you enjoyed this post!
Love, Shanda & HJ!
Work in progress… painting in Photoshop.
Work in progress. Painting in Photoshop on screen.
I’ve felt in my gut for a while that I needed to learn some more computer art skills. I already have a good foundation knowledge of Photoshop and I use it often to enhance photos for the blogs and websites that I help with. Up until now, I’ve only used Photoshop to brighten my artwork before printing it or posting it. CREATING with it is over my head. But… I took a little course called “Digital Painting in Photoshop” by illustrator Will Terry. He is a great teacher, and this course has eased my concerns so much. I’ve just started my first digital illustration painting in the style that Mr. Terry demonstrates. I literally just started, so… stay tuned- I’ll post my progress :)
I am aware that the competition in children’s illustration is fierce. There are so many really talented folks sending out to the same publishers and agents that I am. So, I feel I can’t be a stranger to the technology that could potentially help me work FASTER to create MORE work for my portfolio. The more I create, the better I will become. Also, I think it’s increasingly more appealing to work with artists who are technically-able, even if just for scanning and sending high res images over the internets :)
My Ben snagged me a Wacom Tablet for my birthday, so I could really give this a fair shot. I must say, I really like it! I would have bet money on me mostly hating it, and that I would have to force myself to use it. But I found that it’s easier! That’s all I need.
Computers in the studio
My almost 3-year-old embraced digital painting before I did, so I’m already behind…
Thanks for stopping by!
-Shanda
A Picture Book & A Project: A Sick Day for Amos McGee (written by Philip C. Stead, Illustrated by Erin E. Stead) and making Feel Better Balloons!
Amos McGee was a very reliable and busy zookeeper, but he always made time for his friends: the elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros, and owl. One day, Amos did not feel well and stayed home, but don’t worry- his friends made time to help him feel better!
A Sick Day for Amos McGee written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead.
ROARING BROOK PRESS, 2010
SHANDA: I noticed this book in a bookstore several years ago, because the beautiful illustrations caught my eye! Then I noticed it was a Caldecott winner! The pictures are realistic, yet cute, sweet, and expressive with simple backgrounds. The printed textures and colors are lovely. I picked it up and read it. It touched my heart and made me all warm inside.
This is another husband and wife author-illustrator combo! I love that! They now have a few more books out together since this one.
This is a nice bedtime book as it is calm and comfy. Let your little one look for the bird, mouse, and red balloon throughout the book! We have probably read this book together 100 times :)
HJ: I like the elephant on the bus. And Amos McGee!
Now, on to the Project! Let’s make time (like Amos’s friends did) for someone feeling under the weather… We can take or send a Feel Better Balloon to them!
We hope you’ll help somebody feel better this week :) Also, I’d love to see the art you create from this post- email me if you like, and I’ll show it on the blog!
Love, Shanda & HJ!
A Picture Book & A Project: Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad (by David Soman and Jacky Davis) and painting rocks like bugs!
Ladybug Girl is so excited to have the perfect playdate planned with her friends (the bug squad). She wants everything to be just the way she imagined! But when an unexpected catastrophe arises, Ladybug Girl has to deal with it like a hero.
Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad by David Soman and Jacky Davis
DIAL BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS, 2011
SHANDA: I like this book because it has a female super hero, and it shows that even good girls make mistakes, and heros don’t run away when things get hard. Lots of character building built into this fun adventure!
David Soman and Jacky Davis (husband/wife team) hit a home run with introducing the Bug Squad characters! These characters have the potential for many different adventures (and still room to maybe meet new friends/squad members in the future.)
I am awed by the beauty of the artwork! The painted/fine art-like backgrounds with the comic/inky characters on top is a lovely and exciting combination throughout all the Ladybug Girl books. It meshes painting and illustration in a new way for me.
This book is longer than most modern picture books, but it absolutely works. HJ (3 yr old) is captivated all the way through! She asks to read Ladybug Girl series books more than any other books these days.
HJ: My favorite part is when Kiki gets mad.
SHANDA: Why?
HJ: Because I like her!
Well there you have it! Our project is a scene right from the story…
We hope you enjoyed this very first “A Picture Book & A Project”! Now go have a blast reading and creating with your sweet peas :) Also, I’d love to see the art you create from this post- email me if you like, and I’ll them on the blog!
Love, Shanda & HJ!
Email Newsletter Signup
Subscribe to my monthly email (in comics) about writing, illustrating, and raising a family.
