Back to School...

It's that time of year, again. The first day of school starts this week for a lot of area schools. To get back in the groove, I'm reaching for my copy of Cool Dog, School Dog written by Deborah Heiligman.

About-

Tinka is a cool dog, a school dog, a breaking all the rules dog. A hall dog, a ball dog, a crash-into-the-wall dog.

Join Tinka, a dandy, sandy Golden Retriever, as she unexpectedly visits her owner at school and helps his class learn to read. Bright illustrations rendered in acrylic paint add to the excitement in this playful back-to-school story about a boy and his "loves-to-hear-a-book" dog.

The author and illustrator of Cool Dog, School Dog have donated this book to the Worldreader program.

"Tinka" wants to play but it's a school day.

"Tinka" attends class.

Best wishes to all, who are starting or returning to the classroom. Have a great year!

Zoo thoughts...

I took a trip to the zoo last Sunday morning.  I took my camera as usual, thinking that I'd get a few reference shots during the trip. The Columbus zoo is really nice but way too many people to see animals. What? Yep, the zoo is a very popular place but you should plan on getting there really early... maybe on a weekday, when the entire state of Ohio isn't lined up to see an animal. It's great to see so many people interested in wildlife...just not the right time for reference shots. Does anybody else have tips on their zoo visits? When is best? If you live in Ohio, which is your favorite? 

One of the wildest species, know to man. Is he climbing in or climbing out?

I remember visiting the Cincinnati Zoo as a kid. Very nice zoo. I photographed a lot of animals during high school and did some drawing at that zoo, as a college student. Here are a few of them.

Have a wild week, kids!

Back to the drawing board.

Gone Fishing...

 Last weekend, I thought about going fishing. This is as close as I got, to a lake. Another miniature painting was started and I could almost smell the cool lake breeze, hear the water lapping against the boat and see the bobber, riding the ripples on the lake.

Anyway, my plan is to start several miniature paintings over the next month or so, then finish them as time allows. I really need to work hard to meet my miniature painting goals, for the year. 

I did a few quick sketches of the cat characters and then went to a final painting. I've been adjusting the final drawing, as I go. 

The first sketch on the board (above) was too human-like. The arms were too long and shoulders were too high. I was getting too far from cat-like bodies. 

The arms still feel too long. I need to refine the proportions until they feel right. This was my weekend fishing trip...minus the fish...and the trip. 

Oh, well. I might get out on the lake, next weekend.

Such little paintings, so little time...

I started another miniature painting over the weekend but had to put it on hold, for now. My newest children's book sketches have been revised and are waiting for approval. I'll start the final artwork, this week.

The Call- background roughed in.

Although the miniature work is small, the amount of time it takes to render the fine detail is as much or more than my bigger paintings.

The Call- in progress.

The Call- main figure roughed in...detail, next.

This fox will have to wait... The Call is on hold.

It's Miniature Saturday!

Today, I'm starting another miniature painting. Here is a sketch for the newest idea.

sketch for "The Call"

My goal is to complete six miniatures, this year. This is the first chance in a long time, that I've had to work on these little gems. Monday, I'll get back to my newest children's book...pirates. I'll fill you in on that, later.

...now, back to the tiny brushes.

Blues Update- No longer "Still Alive and Well"...

A sad day.

I just received some good news...and bad news. Last night, my Hot Licks Bluesfest poster design was approved (that's the good). This morning, I received the news, Johnny Winter had passed away (that's the bad), yesterday, in Switzerland. He was 70 years old.

I was really looking forward to meeting him. Johnny Winter was the first big concert (Hara Arena, Dayton, Ohio) that I attended in the mid-70's. I was in High School and his album, Still Alive and Well was burnin' up the record player.

Prayers for the Winter family.
Bluesfest poster on hold.

Hot Licks and WET PAINT!

I just finished the artwork for this year's Hot Licks Bluesfest. I took a few pics during the painting so that I could show the in progress stages.

First, I blocked in the shapes over my drawing with acrylic washes (skin areas and guitar) and painted in the shapes that I know were going to be very dark, almost black (sky, shirt and shoes).

Then, I started to add detail to the character's face, trying to capture the moon lighting.

From the face, I kept working outward, adding more detail to the hands and guitar. I kept the light source in mind and decided where and how it would hit each part of the image.

You could still see some of my pencil drawing under the acrylic washed areas.

After the hands and guitar were mostly completed with detail, I started to work out the affect of a second light source. The words- "HOT LICKS"(in bright orange-red) will be placed along the backside of the character.

Here, you can see the warm light hitting the hands, guitar neck and body, etc.

When most of the image was finished, I went back to the top area and added some stars and stylized steam, rising from the image.

Small detail was added, sweat on the player's face and warm light on the underside of his hat and ear. I love adding little touches like that to a piece...kind of an afterthought but it works.

Well, there you have it! I still need to work on the type...stay tuned!