This is my journey in creating concepts, writing, illustrating, finding a literary agent, and becoming a published children's book author and illustrator for the picture book genre.

Friday, August 29, 2014

a new type of illustration for me...

Illustrating allows a freedom of media and technique. There are rules that must be adhered to, but the freedoms of children's illustration are vast and differ by personality. I have recently found another form of illustration that brings a smile to my face and a spring to my step. I recently visited the Toledo Zoo with my children and brought our camera with us. I took over a hundred pictures of many scenes. As I looked at those photographs, I challenged myself to illustrate them. Could I create a mini story by use of editing? Well, you tell me. What do you think of these photographic illustrations. Do you see a story or maybe a character that is story worthy?

The curious Meerkat



The primates were so inspiring. When you go to a zoo, you don't really expect the animals to interact with you. Well, the primates were full of interaction. The above photograph was the silverback, Kwisha. He was leaning up against the wall, staring at his mate who was hiding behind the rock across the enclosure. It was a warm and humid day at the Toledo zoo. Kwisha had a majestic presence. I brought out the camera and snapped a couple of pictures. He noticed me and looked at me. This picture was the result of the interaction. 


These two were taken in the polar exhibit are. The brother bears were rough housing as mom watched from beyond the exhibit cliffs. The boys sure put on a show for us. The penguins were quite social, but I swear they were going to break out in song at any minute :)

It is amazing what you can do with an editing program and the right picture. I have many more and will try to post them on my blog. I tend to update my FB page more often. Please look over there, too.

I am still working on my pay it forward project. I must admit, my kidlet hawks are mighty cute! I hope to have spot art ready for internet posting in the next day or so!
As always, aspiring and achieving illustrator/ author dreams!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Paying it forward...

Great news! I get to use my talent to help out my kids' school! One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received is one that has been repeated over and over... Immerse yourself in the industry. Read children's books. Read them to kids. Find out what sparks their little brains into a tidal wave of make believe! I am doing just that. In the afternoon's, I am working with the pre school and kindergarten age group. I get to read to them, play games with them, and be a part of the world I left behind decades ago. This is the latest spot illustration. The school would like a newsletter to give to the parents. They are the Hawks. Here is my latest spot art. I may redo this in Gouache, because...GOUACHE! I love the beauty of bright colors and effortless imagination that it conveys. Layering pencil colors are nice, too.  I can't complain.
It feels great to be able to use something you enjoy and offer to a place that is educating your children.  

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

two illustrations, two styles

Here is an illustration of Sparky and a kind, small, bluebird friend. This is my first scanned version of "small gestures". I still need to add some more shadowing and background, but the colors are nice. I have a smaller sized scanner than what my paper calls for. Here is an excerpt of the illustration.I have decided to call it, "small gestures". Kindness can come from anywhere. Here, Sparky receives a flower from a bluebird after a cold night being lost in the woods. Friendly reassurance can brighten any dark experience. The outside is a scary place for a little kitty who doesn't venture far. Friends can always be found in times of need if you ask for help. 


This is another little sketch piece that I have been playing around with. I am trying to incorporate some advice that was shared with me at the last conference I attended. I still need to play a bit more with the scanner. This is a piece that I used to incorporate my prisma pencils and practice layering colors. I find that it is similar to using water colors. 

These two illustrations are polar opposites of each other. The above focuses on demonstrating a different color palette that is similar to what mainstream illustration is using. The second is sticking to my life bright and rich colors that I feel invoke merry imagination. The puppy just wants the tree spark and the sprite is conveying to the puppy that the tree spark is not a toy.
Thank you for taking a look. I am really trying to broaden my technique and portfolio while utilizing all the critique that I have been given from SCBWI. Soon, I will be creating new cards to mail out. I wonder which illustrations I should attach to it?
Continually creating and ALWAYS aspiring,
Cassaundra Dunbridge
Children's Book Illustrator and Author