More Sea Sketches

From the other moleskine: A memorial on Monhegan; lines, fancy work and a pulley; even more lines; and Micah taking the rowboat out for a spin.

A Landlubber Once More

Ahoy. Sorry for the lack of posting, but I've just returned from a top secret research trip to Maine. Here are a couple of sketches from my trusty watercolor moleskine. First, the fish market on Monhegan Island (try the fish chowder). Also, if you ever visit Monhegan, be sure to stop by what just might be the coziest library in the world. Next is an odd view of an aloft rowboat aboard the magnificent Lewis R. French. If you yearn to set sail on traditional tallship (and National Historic Landmark), you cannot do better than the French. Best crew in Maine.

Apparently Not Waterproof Ink

Unintentional, but interesting.

The Convenience of "Living History"

If you're working on a book about George Washington, residing in Philadelphia can be pretty handy. Just stroll down to the area around Independence Hall on a Saturday and presto: More costumed models than you can shake a souvenir Liberty Bell at. They do a good job staying in character, too.

Monocles are Cool

Very Hairy Bear Arrives!

Since I can't seem to update my main website for some reason, I thought I'd plug my latest book here on the Planet Ham: Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle (Harcourt)! It's my first book using pastel and pencil instead of ink and watercolor. Available now at finer book emporiums.

Above is a sketch for my initial cover idea.

UPDATE: You can now read a Very Nice Review over at Seven Imp!

Illustration Friday: Captain

Capn' Shifty would prefer that you knock before entering.

Another Bowler

Rosa Cover

Here's my first proposal for what became the cover for Rosa Farm. I really like the one or two color look of older books and I occasionally try to pitch that approach to publishers. It hasn't gone over yet, but I'll keep trying.

Study (with sword)

The Dog

Robert's Snow

I am extremely happy to be participating in this year's Robert's Snow auction for cancer research. This November, you'll be able to bid on a blizzard's worth of snowflakes all hand-painted by children's book illustrators. I'll post more about the auction (and gallery show) as it approaches, but since my snowflake is at this moment heading towards the Dana-Farber Institute to make the deadline, I thought I'd give you a sneak peek.

The Bad Shepherd

The Conspirators

Professor Rangamussen

Whereabouts unknown.

A Bowler and a Tie and Seven Impossible Things

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast is always a blog worth reading, but today it's particularly nice. Super bonus points for also linking to one of the greatest cartoons ever made.

Ye Olde Thugge

The Elusive Mr. Green

The Revolutionary

Inscrutable