Wow! We are half way through the year and I have managed to keep on going for another month with my illustrations. Which is certainly a good thing. When my writing seems to be getting no where I have my illustrations to focus on, otherwise it can get a bit depressing wondering if you are pursuing something you may not ever make a success at. So here are this month’s illustrations:
I always feel a sense or relief at the end of each month when I can look back at the illustrations I have completed. Any little bit of achievement is important to your well being and keeps me going during a time where my writing feels it may never be good enough to be published.
Wow! We are half way through the year. I cannot believe it. You may notice that I am really enjoying the digital sketching app Tayasui that I am playing with this month.
Have I said before that every week I think I am going to fail and not complete an illustration? Probably. Well, surprise, surprise I felt like that again this week. It’s not always down to the lack of time. Many times I wrack my brain for an idea for the week’s theme and feel completely stumped. But I can breath a sigh of relief as it seems I always manage something in the end regardless of the outcome. So here are April’s illustrations:
Week 14: Camping
Gelli printing, pastels, posca pens
I hadn’t used pastels for years so it was good to get them out again.
Week 15: Ocean
Gelli printing, copic markers
Working with a gelli print plate always has an element of surprise which is part of the joy of working with this medium.
I am enjoying developing my skills and drawing animal characters and felt quite pleased with this little ducky.
Week 17: Collector
Copic markers
I collect many things as a family historian, teacher, mother, illustrator and finally writer. I am hoping soon I will be collecting acceptance’s from publishers rather than rejections. 🙂
March is over, Autumn has arrived and the school hols will soon be upon us. So today I am going to work like a trouper, writing blog posts, critiquing manuscripts and editing my own.
Week 9: Watercolour (and coloured pencils)
This isn’t a medium I am comfortable with. I don’t feel I can control it. But I did enjoy creating this illustrating after doing some research on Pinterest for watercolour picture book illustrations. Sometimes painting in a similar style to an established illustrator can help you learn a new process.
A ‘Jersey crapaud’ – the nickname in Jersey french for toad, used for locals from Jersey, Channel Islands, like myself.
Week 11: Mother
Watercolour & fineliner
As you can see I had toads on my mind. I wanted to practice more animals. Simplify them so that I didn’t fear drawing them. I also continued using watercolour. It is good to get out of your comfort zone and use other mediums.
Week 12: Non-dominant hand
Copic markers
Using your non-dominant hand certainly puts you out of your comfort zone. This is good if you have a slightly controlling personality. 🙂 I couldn’t lose complete control so I used Copic markers as I am very comfortable with them. These are two characters I have in mind for one of my manuscripts!
Week 13: Movement
Collage & copic markers
Abstract themes are difficult for me. I am more of a concrete thinker. My inspiration came from my daughter’s dance classes.
Wow. Another year over. Another year has begun. Each time I think I am going to give up, (and sometimes I do feel this way) I remind myself of how pleased I am when I look back over the year and see all the illustrations I managed to complete each week regardless of time limits, family commitments, etc. It is a very satisfying feeling.
This months illustrations were quick due to having family staying for the month.
Week 1: Fancy dress
Week 2: Outdoors
I had a weekend away with the other half in Melbourne. While he was at a business meeting, I managed to complete this illustration with a handfull of textas I had in my handbag.
Week 3: Theme Park
This theme overwhelmed me so I stuck to as simple a concept as I could.
Week 4: Swimming
I sketched this illustration while my son was at his swimming lessons. One of the only kids without a swimming cap (as he likes the feel of the water through his hair). 🙂
Wow! One month to go till the end of the year. How fast did that go? I nearly didn’t participate this year but I am so glad I persevered. Here are November’s illustrations:
Week 44: Scandinavian
Funnily enough my Christmas decorations have a Scandinavian theme this year.
Week 45: Peace
Peace is much needed at the moment as the house is filled with builders all working hard on the second stage of our house renovations.
Week 46: Endangered
One of many animals that need to be protected.
Week 47: Play
I love this time of year as it gives me lots of excuses to play at dress ups. 😉
It is a busy time of year. I have had the joy of meeting and welcoming new members of SCBWIAusNZ as well as attending this year’s SCBWIAusNZ Xmas party. Here I am with the lovely Jodie Wells-Slowgrove and her junior fiction series:
Next week I have a Christmas end of year dinner with my fabulous critique groups Picture This & Down The Rabbit Hole!
I love this time of year even though it is hectic, thanks for stopping by,
Ramona 🙂
PS: If you have a connection to Jersey, Channel Island and are looking for a great little gift or stocking filler don’t forget my book is available here: The Jersey 12 Days Of Christmas
I am not really pleased with this illustration. I had limited time this week and it showed in the outcome but I still participated and stuck to my goal of entering on time each week regardless of the standard of work.
Week 41: Sweets
Copic markers & Artline pen
As you can see I had the event of Halloween in my mind. I enjoyed doing this illustration and am pleased with how it looks. 🙂
I felt the need to use a different medium again and gelli printing felt perfect for this weeks challenge. I don’t play the saxophone (which may show in the detail or lack of) but it was fun to use the rollers again. As you never really know how the print is going to turn out the element of surprise makes this an enjoyable and challenging medium to work with, which is what 52 Weeks is all about, challenging yourself!
Week 43: Monster
Copic markers & thin textas
Well it is Halloween to day and what a perfect way to finish the month then with a monster themed illustration.
Events:
Yesterday I visited Hachette Publishing House. They had opened their doors for paid visits. It was a great opportunity to see the inside of a publishing house, listen to the editors and marketers explain how the process of commissioning and promoting a book goes.
#insidehachette
Seated from left are the host from the Emerging Writers Festival (sorry no name), Suzanne O’Sullivan (Children’s publisher), Robert Watkins (Fiction and Non-Fiction publisher) and Rebecca Saunders (Fiction publisher).
Suzanne O’Sullivan likes you to be on social media, likes your pitch to be brief and often reads on her e-reader, so likes to see the full manuscript.
Robert Watkin’s said about your story that … “There has to be natural lows and peaks to maintain a reader’s interests.”
Rebecca Saunders said that to her… “the title is important,” and she “wants it to be commercial.” She also wanted to know what your USP (Unique Selling Point) was.
As you can see by the last illustration that the warm weather has arrived reaching 33 degrees! You will never hear me complain of the warm weather, I love it as does my little blue penguin. 🙂
