SCBWI Fall Philly Conference

I'll be speaking at this year's Fall Philly Conference of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (eastern PA chapter). Details are not up on the website yet, but when they do go up, they should be here. Registration ends August 25th, but it's limited to 140 people, so you might want to register soonish.

Five years ago at this very conference, I showed my portfolio to a Simon & Schuster art director who then showed it to Richard Jackson who then hired me to illustrate my first picture book. So, illustrators, be sure to bring your shiny shiny portfolios and sign up for the optional review!

Pigeon of the Month #6

Monkeys of the World, part 6

Norman, Oklahoma.

Don't Call Him Yellow

Cowboy Guy

Scarlet Sprite

Sideburns

Monkeys of the World, part 5

Antwerp, Belgium.

Raw Sienna Melancholia

Palette Doodles

Splotches of extra paint make interesting backgrounds. Pro Tip: Wait until it dries.

Pigeon of the Month #5

Washington Sketch

Sorry for the paltry blogging of late. I am nearly finished work on my graphic novel and by nearly I mean I still have about 40 pages to go. But since Children's Book Week is next week, I thought I'd show you a sketch from Big George by Anne Rockwell, coming to a bookstore near you this fall. This is Washington at Carpenter's Hall, volunteering to lead the army. Clearly, my uniform research came after the sketching phase.

Monkeys of the World, part 4

Reykjavik, Iceland

Pigeon of the Month #4

Pencils

Monkeys of the World, part 3

Battle Creek, Michigan.

No Pencils Were Harmed for This Post

Here's my first digital doodle using Alias Sketchbook Pro and my Wacom tablet (which I got 8 years ago...ancient by computer age standards). Kind of fun program. I like the pressure sensitivity and various pencil options.

Anyhoo, if this isn't green enough for you on St. Pat's Day, let me direct you to this bit of Muppet genius...

Again with the Brush

Pigeon(s) of the Month #3

Very Small Brush, Black Magic Ink