Spudart - An Online Art Forum

Spudart is another promising looking art forum.

concentric circle

concentric circle
Originally uploaded by Happy.Phantom.

I just love this person's photographs (Happy Phantom). Take a look at some of them. What a wonderful sense of tone, emotion, texture...

Smitty Drawings

Check out Andy Smith's cartoons and other illustrations

fan and petals

fan and petals
Originally uploaded by alvazora.

Here's another beautiful image created by an artist/photographer on flickr.

Preparing the Lights

Preparing the Lights
Originally uploaded by sistereden2.

Isn't this an incredible photo? I finally figured out how to blog things from flicker and will blog a few others that I saw this morning.

Bill Brown's Amazing Photos

Take a look at Bill Brown's photos. Incredible stuff.

article on Children's Publishing trends

Here's a short article on some children's publishing trends. Another blog about children's book publishing is Christy's Vox.

Monoface

Have fun playing with Monoface. I found this through Soaring Tortoise. It's great fun

Ispotters We Love

Now here's a fun place to go....it's located on bloglines...and is called Ispotters We love, listing the favorite illustrators of Dave Tabler from The I SPot.

Children's Illustration Blog

Julie's blog, Children's Illustrations has loads of info, fun links and posts about the biz of children's illustration.

Drawger

Drawger, Bob Staake's site, is another good art/illustration site to browse.

Five and a Half Blog

Here's another fun blog to see....Five and a Half.
look at the art and preparation and presentation of it.

Zen Damage Illustration Blog

Zen Damage has tons of illustration site links.

Sketch Club

Sketch Club is another of my rebloggings, but it's worth another look.

First Book Blog-Podcast...Peter H. Reynolds

Check this out. It's a First Book podcast of an interview of Peter H. Reynolds (illustrated Judy Moody....wonderful illos) and wrote The Dot and Ish.
First Book looks like a terrific organization too. I'm embarrased to say I hadn't heard of it before. I'm going back to read more about it.

Gina's Illustrations coming out Soon

Check out Gina Pfleegor's illustrations in the book she recently illustrated called I Like Gum, by Doreen Tango Hampton. It's due out soon. Gina's illustrations are "popping good fun"
While you're at it, check out our Picture Bookies blog. We've got a new group challenge coming up soon, and nearly all of our Feb. entries are in.

The Illustration Cupboard reblogged

This one is worth reblogging. The Illustration Cupboard. (I blogged it awhile back)

Animare Studios

Take a look at Animare Studios where George Schill and Ron Magnes have their creative work highlighted. I think you'll get a kick out of the short flash images called For the Halibut.

Lace Fence

If THIS isn't the coolest thing you've seen in awhile, I'll be surprised. A Lace Fence! Check the other links there as well...so many interesting designs and things happening.
(BTW....someone help me...can you tell I'm procrastinating here....blogging everything I find) Somehow I got on a trail of amazing things, and I've got to blog them before I lose them in my zillion favorites.

PON DI RIVER PON DI BANK

PON DI RIVER PON DI BANK...this is a true cachibachi....just a random blog I found. You've just got to love this for the quirkiness of it. It makes me want to create some pompoms...(like I have the time)

Image Zoo

Image Zoo is an online source for royalty free illustrations. (I know....I KNOW...I can hear some illustrators murmuring under their breath at the very mention of creating illustrations for stock art, but I believe it has it's place)
Anyway...if you are not one of those murmuring illustrators, check it out. You can sell images there as royalty free art. I'm going to scour my illustrations for work that I wouldn't mind using that way.

Illustration Friday-Communication

Communication is the key...otherwise things can get pretty "fowled up" (I know...pretty corny pun....)

This is my entry for this week's Illustration Friday theme, Communication

Fabric Art Journals

This blog, Fabric Art Journals, makes me want to get back to sewing, or using my endless pile of fabrics and thread somehow (What...me ADD?).

Take a look at Julia Kelly's Fabric Art

Here is a yet undiscovered talent you've got to see. (well...some of us have discovered her talent, but the publishers haven't yet...and I can't wait to see who finds her first.)
Julia Kelly. Go see her work. Her fabric art is amazing. She is also a children's writer, and lots of fun!

Check out Kim Baccellia's Author Interview

Here is an interview of author Kim Baccellia, about her book Earrings of Ixtumea.

1001 Journals

Here's a site I may have blogged months ago. It seems familiar, but then again...who knows. It's 1001 Journals. It's a site showcasing artist's journals of all types.

I uploaded some cards to my Greeting Card Universe Site. I'm still not totally at peace with some aspects of the image handling and a few other things, but I'm trying it out anyway.

Animation Blogspot

Have you heard of Animation Blogspot? It's a new free blogging place for visual artists. gaming and digital artists community.
It seems you can move an existing blog to the location as well. I'm off to check it out.

New Venue for Illustrators....Greeting Card Universe

Greeting Card Universe is another place to get your art sold online. I just heard of it today and have begun searching out the terms and agreements. It looks promising so far.

Nicole's Coloring Book Pages

Check out Nicole's Coloring Book pages.

Johnnie Scoutten's art

Check out some of the art here. My favorite is the painting of the sneakers....gorgeous. I think this is the blog I trailed from to find Nutini's music in the post below..
There are many worthy links here as well if you have the time to check what's on the sidelines of the blog. Here's one http://gregkapka.blogspot.com/,
and there is a painting a day from UK too..

Paolo Nutini sings

Here's a random cachibachi. I found it while going searching for illustrators and artists, and from another artist's site that I will blog after this one. I love this song for some reason..it must be my Scottish ancestry shining thru. He's from Glasglow I think.

Valentine's Cake

This is a bit blurry, but you'll see that we tend to like sprinkles in our household. (The cap came off of the sprinkles when they were shaking it). We also aim to please on the frosting flavors, which explains the half vanilla half chocolate icing, It was fun

Victoria Saxe's Illustrations of Insects

Take a look at this video of Victoria Saxe's amazing insects. It's a fascinating view of the process she goes through as a scientific illustrator. You can see more fun things there on 49 Sparks On Design. or look at www.49sparks.com
Another fantastic video shown is of Tom Hershey's Graphic Art and Illustration.

Happy Valentine's Day!

May it be a day of chocolate cupcakes, sappy greetings, overly sweet sentiments, a hug from a loved one, hope, affirmation in a form that means the most to you.
I'm happy at home, "iced in" with the kids and husband after the ice/sleet/snow mix that hit last night.
It's a perfect Valentine's Day....time to bake a red velvet heart shaped cake, celebrate by opening the valentine's day box, filled with little goodies and candy, and be safe, warm and sound together.

(My taste buds are already numb from too many of these tiny sweet-tart hearts.....love those purples..)

The Society of Secret Fairies

The Society of Secret Fairies is a wonderful blog I just discovered after going down the blog trails somehow.

Illustration Friday-Crash

This week's Illustration Friday theme is Crash.

OK... I know I'm pushing it here with the theme....she's holding the teapot very carefully so she doesn't drop it and have it crash.

(I know...it's lame...but I didn't want to post another rooster drawing, which was actually much more appropriate...I needed a change)

Preschool Prelim

Here's a preliminary drawing I did recently. It was such fun to do.

A Mural at Oberon's Journal

Take a look at Oberon's amazing mural. Ginger told me about it. Her daughter painted it. The view shows only a part of the mural. I can't imagine painting such a large mural with such detail and the sense of the ocean she captured. This is only one section of it. There are animals from all over the world showing in the rest of it...white tigers and many other land animals!! I hope she posts more pics soon.
Oberon's work is beautiful. I don't even think she does murals as a business. Maybe this will be the start of some mural commissions.

Illustration Friday's Forums are updated

Illustration Friday not only has the weekly illo posting, but a forum, which is recently updated. Here's one illustrator's blog whose work was highlighted there, Chickengirl Design.

Pictorial History of Costume

I found a gorgeously illustrated book, depicting colored ink renderings of fashions throughout history and nations. It is called A pictorial history of costume or Illustrierte Kostumgeschichte.
It snowed here again in VA, giving us a total of a whopping 1-2", which gave the kids a school day, and a 2 hr. delay the next day.
As a "northerner" I still get a chuckle out of school closings for 1" of snow, even though it's understandable due to the roads being icy and slick.

3x3 Mag Student Illustration Call for Entries

Just a reminder. This looks like a good contest for illustrators. The 3x3 magazine is topnotch. I posted this before, but take a look at the folks involved and send something in!

Illustration Friday- Sprout

Here's my Illustration Friday entry for Sprout. I'm trying to post entries for IF regularly...(who knows if it will happen)

Check out Picture Bookies News

Our collaborative illustration blog, The Picture-Bookies has been busy lately. We've been honored with several new illustrators. The newest member is Gina Pfleegor . Welcome Gina.

Good Stuff

Today has been a day full of good news, and receiving good things.
I received several goodies in the mail. A book called Christian Mythmakers by Rolland Hein. It covers C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton and others.
Another book about G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis also arrived.
Then we have a wonderful new addition to the Picture-Bookies group. Bron Smith. Welcome Bron! It is an honor to have you join!
Another good thing, was a good friend coming through surgery with flying colors.

Wierd Tagging

I've been tagged by Allison.
The rules are: Each person who gets tagged needs to write a blog post telling 6 weird things about themself... as well as clearly state the rules. After you state your 6 weird things, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you're tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog for information as to what it means."Go to her blog to see the instructions...
Here are the results of 6 wierd things about me. (only SIX?) Any other artists/writers reading this probably have some of the sensitivity issues.....
1. When I read anything, or even see things on movies or TV dealing with specific smells, I tangibly smell them. This can be wonderful, but also pretty disgusting at times. Sometimes it happens when I see things in movies or on TV.
2. If someone has an ache or pain, and tells me about it, I can usually feel it the way they have it, such as headaches, I'd feel it in the same area, and stomach aches, in the way they feel it, or pains in the back, etc. (this is not fun with upset stomach situations or other stomach issues.If someone in a car or vehicle even mentions feeling car sick, I am done for, even if I was fine for hours before. When my kids mention feeling sick, I feel sick immediately, but I do not vomit when someone else does, thankfully.
3. I detest wearing flat shoes unless I am in an uncommonly thin stage. I feel like a fat duck when wearing flat shoes, unless they are running shoes.
4. I can't stand having anything over my ears that would clog them or stop me from hearing, such as ear plugs. I have a mania about having to be able to hear clearly. I'm also extremely sensitive to noise, and excess noise, or off-key singing or offkey, jarring musical instruments.
5.I love to find wierd images in anything..whether it is patterns on the floor of my bathroom, or on the backs of dumptrucks when I'm stuck in traffic, or cloth, stains, etc. And I sometimes enjoy dirty images, such as metal grills on the road, rusted things (not eyesores) broken down barns, spattered stained trucks (what is it about trucks?)
6. I sometimes snort when I laugh, and unfortunately have laughed at a few inappropriate times without being able to help it. Thankfully I can cover it up enough not to hurt people..but it is terrible.
OK. Now I am going to tag:
Ginger
Julia
Sherry
Courtney
Vivian
Dee

Roberto Innocenti's Illustrations

Roberto Innocenti's illustrations are well worth a look if you haven't seen them before. He doesn't seem to have a website, but you can see some of the covers from the children's books he has illustrated in the links here.
There are hardly any large images online. Here is the cover of Pinnochio, and another cover for The Nutcracker. He teaches in an art academy in Florence.

ALA Notable Children's Book List

Here's the 2007 ALA Notable Children's List.

Czechoslovakia-American Marionette Theatre

Take a look at the Czechoslovakia-American Marionette Theatre. They even have some of their incredible marionettes for sale! I'd love to have one of those. I remember watching a marionette production of Peter and the Wolf in New Haven, CT. when I was young. It was fantastic. There's something otherworldly about watching a production done completely with puppets or marionettes.

Another Gem

OK...here is one of my all time favorite resources for finding clothing from any period. Costumer's Manifesto. I found this years ago online and remembered to blog it. I'm using it again in my ongoing research. The front page looks dry, but take time to get into the links and it'll quickly become a must have resource for any clothing info you need for creating illustrations in other time periods. Just look at this one link and you'll see what I mean.
Besides..it's just a fascinating place. It makes me wish I'd gone into theatre in a deeper way. (I only did a few things growing up in high school, back stage, and earlier, but have always loved the drama, creativity and art involved in theatre. This weekend I'm going to see Falstaff ! (wish I could take pics)

Research Finds

While doing research for Victorian themed items, I came across some fantastic finds. Here is a worthy site called Virtual Victorians. There are downloadable victorian printables as well as lots of great images and links.
Another one is the artist Gennady Spirin, whose illustrations are delightfully detailed and gorgeous. Take a look at this picture book that he illustrated. He's one of my favorites.
It's inspiring and challenging to look at the work of gifted artists like Spirin when working on a project, but it sure does push me on to work harder.

Illustration Friday-Red

Here's my entry for this week's Illustration Friday topic RED.

ArtBiz Blog

The ArtBiz Blog has a new article out.

Christopher Pugliese's Paintings

Take a look at Pugliese's paintings for some inspiration.

Bodies...the Exhibition NYC

I saw an ad for the museum exhibit in NYC titled Bodies. It's one I'd love to see...showing the anatomy of the human body, and the history of the study of anatomy through the ages. Take a look at the link.

Design Contest

Bloom and Onedotzero are having a creative writing/film making design contest. Check out the page for the contest...just the page is worth a look.

Design odds and ends

Here's a site full of design happenings around the world. DesignBoom. Check out their blog, Cut and Paste....here's just ONe of the fascinating links..under Chic.

Dani Draws

Dani sure DOES draw. Look at her website. She has a video of her digital painting process. I found it in Sherry's blog links...another great place to peruse.

24 Hour Museum

Here's a website that highlights 3,000 museums, galleries and heritage sites of the UK. It is the 24Hour Museum. They are highlighting100 years of Beatrix Potter's work at this time, as well as lots of other info and sites.

Leesa's Faux Painting Website

Here's a link to Leesa's Faux Painting Website. I'm going to see if she offers classes.
I've been doing some research online for the book I'm illustrating and found some more reference sites. Many of you may know of these, but just in case, I'm blogging them anyway. Corbis is one. (there are many online stock photography sites that have some good images to use as referral, as long as you don't break ethics and copy the images.)
Another place recently discussed on an online forum is Google's book search. Many books have wonderful images that can be seen there. I'm not too thrilled with the idea of copyright violations that must occur due to it, but as far as reference material, it's a good source. As always..keep in mind that copyrights are not to be violated. Here's a page from a book that I have. Google does limit the pages available to view (good for authors and illustrators who don't want their copyright broken and folks using their work in an unlimited fashion)

Michelle Lana Illustration Blog

Michelle Lana Illustration Blog is a fun one to keep an eye on. Go check out her superhero illo.

Snow in Virginia

I love this tree. It's in our neighbor's yard.

GFX-Artist..and snow

GFX-Artist is a site with a forum and lots of great tutorials covering various aspects of art.
The snow is still falling. I went out on our deck barefoot to get a good toe-freezing feel of it, since it took so long to get here.

Grow Up, and Be A Kid Again!

It's funny how you hit times in your art/illustration journey where somehow you get a kick in the pants. It usually happens to me in the strangest ways.
Mine recently came to me in the form of hitting a mental realization that this gift/talent of art, writing and creativity has been given to me for the purpose of developing it to it's finest point, and that it isn't a thing to be treated lightly or relegated to the corner until an easier or less busy time.
The funny part is that as a children's illustrator it's hard to sense how seriously to take it and yet maintain a childish heart in the subject matter.
The main message I got in my strange way, in the form of a command, was that it's Time to GROW UP, and BE A KID AGAIN!
(I think the children's illustrators and writers that may read this will get what that means.) It's hard to explain in any other way than that.

Artblog

Here's a fantastic blog The Artblog. I found it while going on a Harvey Dunn rabbit trail, (inspired by an art forum discussion on his work) which I'll blog in a moment.
and by the way....
It is SNOWING finally here in VA! (enough to show up on the ground)

Typoasis...Fonts to Die For

Go to TypOasis. It's very addictive if you're into fonts. I'm searching the site to find out how to order some.
Here's another font designer connected with TypOasis, Dieter Steffmann.
You'll also find lots of fonts at FontPlay.com

Endicott Studio for Mythic Arts

Endicott Studio for Mythic Arts is a blog devoted to news, reviews, and random musings on art inspired by myth, folklore and fairy tales.

Google Reader and Kinuko Craft

Google has another tool for bloggers. Google Reader allows you to store your favorite blogs in one place and view the updated entries from them daily.
On another note, I'm back on a Kinuko Craft binge. If you haven't seen her work, look here. You're in for a treat.

Visual Acoustics

Have fun playing with this Visual Acoustics site. I'm still figuring out the brushstrokes, but even with just the music it's great fun.

Art to Make you Drool

Well...his art did that to me when I saw it...Take a look at Chris Mullins' paintings. I am hooked. He's incredible. I found a link to me after looking at a website about Sargent. Obviously Mullins is influenced heavily by Sargent. Wow.
Here's a link about Sargent's painting techniques. What a master/genius.

If You Were A Parrot on CBC

Check out a book my friend Sherry illustrated called If You Were A Parrot, shown on CBC. It is there on the right hand side among the books shown.

Pictaps

Here's a fun cachibachi called Pictaps that might get you stuck online for longer than necessary. (the sound can be a bit annoying after awhile tho) If you look further in the site, you'll see some other fascinating designs and digital funky things.

Online Marketing Opps for Illustrators/Artists

Most of you probably know about these online sites, but just in case, think of the opportunities to market your art on Flickr, placing various images on your blog and website in small areas that people can click on and see quickly. I've seen it used combined with favorite books or sites, but for illustrators it's a perfect venue to show off art.
Another place similar to Cafepress (probably the most widely known) is Zazzle, where I've had customized stamps made of my art before. You can have t-shirts made here and other items. I haven't checked the pricing or quality, but it's a good one to check out.
I got started down this rabbit-trail after seeing a post of the Hobotopia blog on another illustrator's blog. Go see his work. It's hilarious. He has created 700+ hobo cartoon/characters.

Self-Made Hero

Self Made Hero now has Manga Shakespeare. So far they've done a manga version of Romeo & Juliet, as well as Hamlet.

3x3 Mag Student Illustration Call for Entries

Check out 3x3 magazine's 2006 Student Illustration Call for Entries. The deadline is Feb 14, 2007. Graduate or undergrad students who attended college in 2006 can apply.

Illustration Friday-The 80's

OK. Here's a drawing I did of my sister in the 80's. I've always loved it. I think this was from 1982.

Insight of the Day Quote

Here's one of my all time favorite quotes. Insight of the Day sent this today.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

Albert Einstein1879-1955, Physicist


Speaking of imagination and marvelous things,...isn't it fascinating about another DaVinci painting possibly close to being revealed? I hope it is discovered and verified soon. I believe Seracini is right and that a DaVinci's painting will be uncovered. Who else but DaVinci would put a hidden message in a painting to point to another. (well..I'm sure there are many artists who have done that and still do, but it seems in character with DaVinci)

Faux Painting

My friend has a website that is all about Faux Painting. She does it so that's why she has a website! I want you to see it. I hope you like it!

Handwritten Theatre

Handwritten Theatre is a fantastic cachibachi for today. Click on the titles to hear the handwritten theatres for each day. I haven't listened to many, but it seems intriguing. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom to hear Biscuit's message.

Notebookism

Check out Notebookism. I found it on Jan's website again. Her blog and sketchbooks were highlighted there. There are So many good links. Look at the Paperblanks website....yum....I have one of those notebooks/journals and I love it. It's like a renaissance style journal. Some of them seem to be covered in fabric or leather. What a delight to use. Even when the writing or art inside isn't as good as I'd wish it was, it looks classy on the outside.

Book-lovers Bonaza

Here are some more sites for book-lovers. (all of you who are book fanatics probably already know about most of these, but hey...maybe we'll draw some more folks into the addiction of on and offline book addiction.
The first is Bookcrossing, an organization that gathers bookowners from all over the world allowing them to share or release previously owned books randomly to others who may enjoy them. It's fascinating, fairly well known, and a great cause.
Another place to find kindred spirits in bookyearning is Library Thing (it's similar to the online site I posted several weeks ago called Shelfari.) This one seems to have been around a bit longer, and may be a bit more established. Both are good.
And here's a site of another book-lover.
I'm reading David Baldacci's book The Collectors, which also deals with rare books and collectors of them. There are some fascinating scenes dealing with that aspects of books.

Brain Bashers also Albright-Knox Art Games

Hey yall' itsa' me once again! J-Zee. As you can guess, I LOVE brain teasers! So I was so called 'researching' and I happened to find a Brain Bashers website! It is filled with fun stuff to do in your free time. Youknow when you're in those situations where you're on the computer and you don't want to get up, you don't want to do your artwork that is due in 3 days, and you don't knwo what to do. So you just click here and you won't be bored and while you're having fun you will be 'learning' the hard way- tricks! Have fun!

Here's another little fun thing I found. Kids will loooooooooooooove this because you learn about the primary colors, how to color in things, what colors look good together, and lots more! You should definetly check this out for yourself!

Optical Illusions

Hey guys and gals! Its me again -J-Zee. I have found tghe awesomest website evur! But there's a catch- you have to click this! I hope u don't get too confused on it. It will give you an eye workout! Me and my boss were looking at it and we laughed soooooo hard at the sausage one! I don't know why though... BYE! (By the way, my boss is Amy)

Flip Flop Flyin'

Here's just a good old Cachibachi for you; Flip Flop Flyin'. I found it on a link from Jan's blog; In My Spare Time. Thanks for the great art and terrific links Jan!

Drawger

I found Drawger on Illustration Mundo. Both are well worth checking in depth. Lots of great art, links, info about illustration around the world.
My 3x3 magazine came the other day. wow. I love it.
Check out Mo Willem's blog again. I didn't want to post it again with the title, therefore I added it here in a previous post. I enjoy seeing his blog and the entries and info he posts about what he's up to. Great fun.

ART BACKWASH

ART BACKWASH is a funky captivating blog with some very fun designs and visuals by it's owner. SHe adds movement to her designs and images. Take a look! (I added her to mybloglog.com)

Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online

I nearly went to this art school. I had gotten accepted, but chose Boston instead, due to the draw of the city and history there. Just interesting that they have online courses available at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I've met some excellent artists online that are located in the Pittsburgh area. Seems they have lots going on in Pittsburgh for illustrators.

Blogging Helper

As you can see I've got a blogging co-poster, Jay-Z who will pop in from time to time to add tid-bits of her interest. It should add some flavor to my somewhat common blogging paths.
Here's a site I've blogged before The Toymaker. There are always fun whimsical toys and patterns to see there.
Here I've been thinking I would catch up with things after the holidays and I'm more behind than ever. (telling you my Christmas tree is still up should say it all)
What is it with January birthdays? I think we have 15 friends and relatives with birthdays and parties to attend this month. There are 4 to celebrate just this weekend, and at least 5 or 6 more in the coming 2 weeks.
I'm working on some color studies for oil paintings for a children's book I'm illustrating, wishing I could post the rough sketches for it, but can't. I'll try to take pics of the color studies at least and whatever can be shown. I'll post some of my gorgeous reference books later on today.

Introducing J-Zee

Hey Guys! J-Zee here! I'm new here at Cachibachis! I will be helping out here at Cachibachis whenever... I'm sorta' like the secretary/co-worker... anyway here's something cool I found out about... I hope you like it! I liked the one called Fun drawings. It analyzes your personality after you draw. Bye!

MyBlogLog

Oooh..this is fun. Another blogging goodie. Check out my new Mybloglog location and add yourself as a friend there if you think it may be a fit.

Three Thumbs Up Award

Three Thumbs Up Award is another collaborative illustration blog. I found out about it through Ginger and a post at the scbwi forum.

Chris Wahl's Illustrations on YouTube

Chris Wahl's illustrations are fantastic. See them in process on YouTube. There are others as well on YouTube.

Fullfilled Wishes

My wishes were granted in threes today....
1. SNOW finally! Even though it was camoflaged like rain for awhile, it DID appear here in VA, and I was out running errands and SAW it, and felt it. It seems like a small thing, but when you yearn to just see some snow and if finally falls for a short time, it's fulfilling.
On to literary and art wishes...
2.I received my 2007 CWIM (check out page 78 where Roz generously mentions Cachibachis) .
3.I also recieved my first copy of Relief Journal,
of which Allison is a contributor on page 87, and who designed the gorgeous cover. I can't wait to dig into it.

Have You Heard about Working Partners?

Working Partners is a company based in the UK that spoonfeeds authors with plots, resulting in manuscripts written in an uncommon manner. Manuscripts are created by collaboration and committee.

John Nez's Photoshop Magic on YouTube

Here is a real treat. John Nez's photoshop process as he creates a children's illustration on YouTube. John is well known in the children's illustration field. His work and sense of humor are magnetic.

Illustration from YouTube

Sorry there's no name for the illustrator of this work. I couldn't find one to credit him. I enjoyed viewing the art and listening to the music. Great format too.

Another Illustration blog and other Illustration tidbits

Check out Designing Fairy, a fun blog of whimsical fairy illustrations.
I ordered my 2007 Childrens Writers and Illustrators Market. There's an article by Roz that mentions Cachibachis in the book. (I heard about it, but haven't seen it yet) Thanks so much Roz for mentioning this blog!
The other day I ordered a silverpoint tool the other day from Studio Products. I can't wait to get it, and the ground to practice and learn how to use it.

The Gnomon Workshop

Here's a series of instructional art DVDs with the techniques of Syd Mead (OK...so the face on the front page isn't too lovely), but look further down below. It seems to be a treasure trove of info for illustrators. I didn't look at the rest of the site, but just at the link for Syd Mead's DVDs

The Frank Reilly School of Art

Frank Reilly's art instruction here has some rich info for artists to learn from.

Kirigami fun

My daughter received a gift of Kirigami from some friends this Christmas. It's a kit where you create one kirigami a day. I love it....will probably have to get my own, because I can't resist. Check this online version out. It's much like the snowflakes posted several days ago.

Illustrators I Found Online

Here are two illustrators I found today whose work I enjoyed. One is There's A Design. Another is Sheri Laznicka's blog.
Mark Ryden's work is amazing.