My book is bigger than this but you get the idea:
It looks like he also did a music video for a group called Big Zis:
Check this guy out!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
AMAZING SKETCHBOOK - INGO GIEZENDANNER
There are sketchbooks and then there are sketchbooks. I've never kept one but the project I'm working on right now is kind of sketchbook-like so it's on my mind. I've had this guy's book on my shelf for some time and it's AMAZING.
My book is bigger than this but you get the idea:
It looks like he also did a music video for a group called Big Zis:
Check this guy out!
My book is bigger than this but you get the idea:
It looks like he also did a music video for a group called Big Zis:
Check this guy out!
Friday, March 18, 2011
SOFTIES!
I bought this book a while ago:
I love looking at the the stuffed guys!
(this is a photo of actually stuffed animals that someone had sewn from the book)
I bought the book because I thought it would be great promotion to turn some of my characters into stuffed toys. I am not so great at the sewing so I made readers an offer: sew me a character and I'll paint you into one of my books. I was surprised that people actually did it! I still owe my pall Liz Dubois a feature in one of my books. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to come along. She sewed me a good one! I'll post photos of what people did in a bit (it involves me getting batteries in my camera or charging my ipod - both annoying tasks).
Some of my favorite artists like Gary Baseman and Tim Biskup, who were illustrators turned fine artists, now make vinyl toys. I'd love to turn some of my characters into vinyl.
Vinyl toys are big right now in the art world:
Anyway, I think author/illustrators should check the book out. I believe there's an updated version available. It comes with patters! It will give you some good ideas of how and what to create.
I love looking at the the stuffed guys!
(this is a photo of actually stuffed animals that someone had sewn from the book)
I bought the book because I thought it would be great promotion to turn some of my characters into stuffed toys. I am not so great at the sewing so I made readers an offer: sew me a character and I'll paint you into one of my books. I was surprised that people actually did it! I still owe my pall Liz Dubois a feature in one of my books. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to come along. She sewed me a good one! I'll post photos of what people did in a bit (it involves me getting batteries in my camera or charging my ipod - both annoying tasks).
Some of my favorite artists like Gary Baseman and Tim Biskup, who were illustrators turned fine artists, now make vinyl toys. I'd love to turn some of my characters into vinyl.
Vinyl toys are big right now in the art world:
Anyway, I think author/illustrators should check the book out. I believe there's an updated version available. It comes with patters! It will give you some good ideas of how and what to create.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
FROM THE 90s...
I'm working on a graphic novel about my memories of junior high. 7th grade was 1990. MC Hammer's hit "Can't Touch This" was all the rage that year. The clothing was awful: slouch socks, puffy hair, and long tee-shirts that would be tied in a knot. Eeek. And remember Kriss Kross? They wore their pants backwards!
1) Thank goodness for everything being put on DVD. Now I can easily reference this stuff! Saved By the Bell? On DVD! The old 90210? On DVD! And Fresh Prince plays on TV on and off.
2) This is what I wonder: Will kids think its fun/funny to see this stuff like it is with the 80s? Is it too soon? Has enough time passed? I do know that some of the early 90s sneakers have come back. I've seen them all over the subway. Will snap bracelets make a come-back? Heh.
Now my challenge is to make a funny story about being picked on. Can I do both? I'm not sure. I'll try.
'
1) Thank goodness for everything being put on DVD. Now I can easily reference this stuff! Saved By the Bell? On DVD! The old 90210? On DVD! And Fresh Prince plays on TV on and off.
2) This is what I wonder: Will kids think its fun/funny to see this stuff like it is with the 80s? Is it too soon? Has enough time passed? I do know that some of the early 90s sneakers have come back. I've seen them all over the subway. Will snap bracelets make a come-back? Heh.
Now my challenge is to make a funny story about being picked on. Can I do both? I'm not sure. I'll try.
'
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
TAKING RISKS - GIANT STEPS
I was looking through my shelves really quickly for an interesting book to talk about and I noticed this one:
Chris Raschka again! I have no idea if you can really translate a jazz song into children's narrative art or if this really works that way. I'd have to think about it a lot more... and as usual, I have to run to work! BUT I bought the book because it grabbed my attention. I think the book is 1) fun and 2) will get kids interested in the song/music. So does it matter if it really works or not? I'm not sure if it does. I think "kitten" is a really cute character and she's really into what she's doing so I think kids will be into what she's doing too. PLUS the cover is see-through. I'm jealous. I want a see-through cover! Raschka takes risks. I like that. I wish more authors would. This means, of course, that not all of the books will be hits. Some will be misses. But what is the point of life and art and work without taking a few risks? Take some... er... dare I say this... Giant Steps?
Below is a fun, abstract animation I found on Coltrane's Giant Steps song:
Chris Raschka again! I have no idea if you can really translate a jazz song into children's narrative art or if this really works that way. I'd have to think about it a lot more... and as usual, I have to run to work! BUT I bought the book because it grabbed my attention. I think the book is 1) fun and 2) will get kids interested in the song/music. So does it matter if it really works or not? I'm not sure if it does. I think "kitten" is a really cute character and she's really into what she's doing so I think kids will be into what she's doing too. PLUS the cover is see-through. I'm jealous. I want a see-through cover! Raschka takes risks. I like that. I wish more authors would. This means, of course, that not all of the books will be hits. Some will be misses. But what is the point of life and art and work without taking a few risks? Take some... er... dare I say this... Giant Steps?
Below is a fun, abstract animation I found on Coltrane's Giant Steps song:
Monday, March 14, 2011
MORE ON DESIGN - STEAM STEEL & STARS
Below are some interiors from the book.
I don't like the type. It's too bold. It could be done more delicately. Maybe a nice dark redish brown font for the headline letters? Just a little more fancy? I don't know. Something! And I say all of this because I don't want to pick about a children's book but it's the same deal there. Design is very important.
But I love the photographs!
And maybe this is why... (this is my photo - I was not aware that he did a church one until I bought the book)
I don't like the type. It's too bold. It could be done more delicately. Maybe a nice dark redish brown font for the headline letters? Just a little more fancy? I don't know. Something! And I say all of this because I don't want to pick about a children's book but it's the same deal there. Design is very important.
But I love the photographs!
And maybe this is why... (this is my photo - I was not aware that he did a church one until I bought the book)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
DEISGN MATTERS
I went to The Strand last night. For those of you who are not New Yorkers, The Strand is an amazing new and used bookstore with an enormous selection of art books for CHEAP! At least 10 dollars off. It beats my bookseller discount. I can't go in there without walking out with a pile of stuff, which is bad because I'm out of bookshelf space. Anyway, I've been wanting a particular photography book for years but it's been out of print. Well, there it was! IT's called STEAM STEEL & STARS. Photography by O. Winston Link. He photographed old trains from the 50s at night. Amazing stuff.
Here's my problem. The design is awful. The text part at the beginning contains a HUGE bold font that's sort of obnoxious. It takes away from the photographs. Of course, my camera is out of batteries and my ipod has been downloading for the past 2 hours! It's SO annoying. All I did is say "yes" to upload the new program for it and it is now putting up all the contents ALL OVER AGAIN. Frustrating! So I DID take photos of the inside of the book but I can't get them off of the ipod. I will when I get home from work tonight so I can show you all.
In the meantime, this is the cover and an interior. Despite the bad design, the photographs are great. I got it for ten bucks!
Here's my problem. The design is awful. The text part at the beginning contains a HUGE bold font that's sort of obnoxious. It takes away from the photographs. Of course, my camera is out of batteries and my ipod has been downloading for the past 2 hours! It's SO annoying. All I did is say "yes" to upload the new program for it and it is now putting up all the contents ALL OVER AGAIN. Frustrating! So I DID take photos of the inside of the book but I can't get them off of the ipod. I will when I get home from work tonight so I can show you all.
In the meantime, this is the cover and an interior. Despite the bad design, the photographs are great. I got it for ten bucks!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
WILLY WONKA'S FIZZY DRINKS
Okay, you have to have a sick sense of humor for this so if you don't then don't watch. I thought it was really funny... but I am twisted. Be warned. Click here for the youtube video. It won't let me embed it.
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