Tiny Details

Morning Coffee

Tweak, Tweak

I'm in that strange space between finishing art for one book and waiting for sketch okays on another. Time to pull out a story I've been needing to tweak for the longest time. I've missed it! It's funny how hours spent illustrating other people's stories gives you ideas on how to deepen your own. I love how creativity works sideways like that.

This was in the drawer. Drawers are good for when you need a total break in order to come back to your story with a fresh mind.

Now it's back on the wall.

Hard to ignore the wall. After a while your story speaks, sometimes softly and sometimes loud, and hints at ways to make it real. You can't rush the wall.

This is fun.

Mappish Sketch...

... from the Sled Ride book.

(We'll be sledding soon enough around here, I'm sure!)

Work-In-Progress

I'm working on final art for the Sled book. This may be my favorite spread. (I reserve the right to change my mind!)

Eager

Getting There

Almost done with this dummy.

(My gosh, today is what I call rain!)

(Top Secret Project)

In the Works

A character from a new project. I don't want to say too much-- just that I'm having fun with her!

More on Story Revisions...

... And sometimes the answer is right in front of your face. It's just not what you expected.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back is Still Moving Forward

Sometimes you have to beg a story to tell you what it really wants to be.

Darcy Pattison is doing a great series during the month of August called 30 Days to a Stronger Picture Book over at her blog. Check it out!