Examples

Kristi G. sent me two more illustrators to check out. Their websites show their styles and work and hopefully will help you see what illustrators are working on today. Check them out. Thanks Kristi.

Amy Bates

Jen Corace

I FOUND IT!

Hey friends! After much searching I finally remembered the artist I wanted to recommend checking out. His name is Tony DiTerlizzi and he's illustrated many children's books, most famous being probably the Spiderwick Chronicles series of books that inspired a movie released by Nickelodeon. His website address is http://www.diterlizzi.com/. Check it out. I really enjoy his process and composition. He has strong artwork and has quite a bit on the internet to check out, although most of it is in flash so you'll have to be able to play flash. I hope all's going well with the monster designs. Keep up the great work.

MONSTERS IN PAJAMAS!

Alright everyone its time for the next contest. This next challenge will be moving closer as a group to the final project: that is making a group childrens book about monsters. The central idea to the book is that monsters are much like little boys and girls when it comes to bedtime, they wear pajamas. The difference is that they wear them in ways that would be unexpected.

The newest contest would center on coming up with a monster design that is similar anatomically to a little boy or girl; size, proportions, likability, etc. This would be similar to what Sesame Street has done for many years, make likable monsters. We had some great entries from our earlier monster contest and I suggest you start there for inspiration if you aren't sure where to start. We need a character or many that kids would look at and laugh along with as they wear their pajamas in funny ways. You could even use shows like Sesame Street for inspiration, but make sure the characters are original, originally yours that is.

I want to have the book printed this year so we need to start this project moving along quicker than before. The monsters from the earlier contest will be incorporated into the beginning part of the book but this next contest will be the latter half of the book. We need to get this ball rolling so lets make the deadline:

Due Midnight on March 31st, 2010.

Logo Ideas

Here's the submissions for logos for the blog. These are all just quick sketches of ideas that will need to be further developed for use on the blog. Thank you Scott for your input. Now it's in your hands workshop community. Leave a comment or email casting your vote for the idea that sparks your interest the best; although maybe not exactly there yet.

Entry sketches done by Nate S.

Entry sketches done by Scott W

Our Old Europe

Well the Olympics are over. I really enjoyed them. Aubrey, my wife, and I talked a lot about what event we would train for and a lot about the countries represented. That brings me to the latest contest, pictures of old Europe. We all saw Europe in different ways, awesome. That's what makes these contest entries great, that not everyone is doing the same thing. Leave a comment and let each other know what you think.


Kristi G. - Germany - "I had a hard time with this one. I am not very good at landscapes or backgrounds. I wanted to do a painting of a German village with the reddish, orange rooftops. I think they are so charming. I tried lots of times, but it always turned out with too much detail and just looked too busy and messy. After reading a library book to my girls last night from Elisha Cooper - I love his simple shapes and colors, I decided to go super simple. The houses look pretty lame, but I ran out of time. Any tips on how to make backgrounds look finished without going to detailed and busy?"

Liezl G. - Eiffel Tower - "Liezl was so excited when she found out she had to draw any place from Germany (her favorite place she has never visited) or France (the fanciest place in the world). She chose to paint the Eiffel tower. She painted it like Monet's impressionist paintings after we read a story about him."

Quincy - Garden - "Quincy wanted to paint something from France. Hers is of a flower garden."

Scott W. - Sailing Boat European

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If you're paying attention I, Nate, didn't make a submission. I had started one but I didn't finish it in time for the deadline so I didn't post it. I thought it only fair since I made the rule for everyone else. I learned my own lesson. I really enjoyed this contest but in the end...I am finishing up applying to pharmacy schools and had an interview Monday and Tuesday, which threw my whole schedule off. Thank you to everyone that submitted. Great work.