This title kind of sounds like a Curious George book, eh? Well, the Girllustrators is not my next book idea—it is actually an illustration critique group. Being new in Austin, I really wanted to connect with some other female illustrators for feedback, group-imposed deadlines, and, well, just to get to know some local gals in my profession! So I contacted a few that I met at the last (my first) Austin SCBWI conference and we formed the Girllustrators. And we’ve picked up one or two other Girllustrators since then. It’s been great fun, and I’ve learned a ton from them already.
Marsha Riti, Amy Farrier and I took our first Girllustrators field trip to the San Antonio Zoo for some drawing, followed by some yummy Tex-Mex and margs. What a great day! I’ve really missed location drawing–it was one of my favorite things to do back in my grad school days when I had time for it (and rollerblading)–so I am very grateful to have some new buds to do it with. I can’t wait till we do it again. Here’s a couple of quick sketches from our day:
I love using toned paper to give you a middle ground. Then I work with pigma pens of varying sizes, some sepia grease pencils and some white colored pencil for heightening. My daughter Harper also joined us, so she loaned me a green crayon to add some algae to the cayman’s face, below.
On October 8, some of the Girllustrators and I are presenting a panel discussion on Children’s Book Illustrators and Technology for the Austin SCBWI Storytelling in the Digital Age: Embrace the Change technology symposium. We’re going to talk about how we use technology in our own work. And there are lots of other great presenters scheduled, too!
Hey I know ya’ll!
You should come sketching with us some time, Don! If you have time, of course!
What a great day! So much character in your animal faces, especially the Langur. And I love the richness that the paper and mixed media give these drawings. I suggest all summer sketching sessions end with margaritas.
Thanks, Amy! I felt quite rusty, but I am so glad we did it. I’m looking forward to the next time!
I love you choice of paper too! Especially in the Hippo drawing. So great!
Thanks, Marsha! Where to next?
There’s nothing like a drawing on location outing to get you back to your artistic roots! Thanks for letting me tag along Girllustrators. I got a little bit of sketching done but was mainly assisting future Girllustrator, Harper. Is Amy making the hippo an honorary member?
those sketches are amazing!!
Thanks Tiffanny! You’ll have to come with us on our next drawing expedition!
Oh my gosh! Your sketches are so terrific! Can I just buy some sketches from you? And it looks like you and Jeff had a good time and made great contacts at the conferences. I’m going to check on the status of your horse book too, to see if it is on order. Keep up the terrific work!!
Patty W-M
Of course you can buy sketches from me. Wait till they get a little better though! I’m still getting warmed up. It’s been a while!