yes, this greenbean mama has been busy drawing away... as stated in another post, i am working on a book project that demands the majority of my art time... it's been a slight challenge but thanks to jack, kate, sawyer, and of course hurley [lost, anyone?], i'm having a wonderful time... of course, my sketching time falls between 11pm and 3am... i'm not a "loose" type of illustrator; my drawings have to be perfect... goodness, if there is a smudge! call me miss particular but in order for a sketch to be considered a sketch, it has to look as good as the above...
this usually means that one drawing has been redrawn about 7 times over... i kid you not... in one sense, it's ridiculous to spend so much time on a mere sketch... but on the other hand, it helps develop the character better and refine the details... it also makes illustrating the final [for me] easier because that same drawing is used as my template... still though, the process can be exhausting when you are just itching to have that final inked out, and get onto the next one...
it's hard to post about this project without getting into specifics... i mean, you know it's for a book and you can guess some of the subject matter.... but a gal has to be mysterious until some issues are hashed out... on the side of all this, there are sketches being made for the etsy shop... a few of the older designs will show up on march 28th...in fact, i'm HOPING to get a few prints in there but well, we will see about that... as soon as the taxes come in, i can get to buying all the necessary materials to get the etsy shop rolling [yes, it takes more than paper]...
so many ideas!!! so many things to do! and there isn't ever enough time to complete it all, eh?! with isabella on the go [and no gate to block her way], there is alot of chasing after the bitty gal... she finds going after the cat food to be an adventure and is disappointed if i snake one of out her mouth... [which also happen to be the same shape as gerber finger foods]... she thinks playing the television buttons are amusing despite the many no's... diego has been under the weather [again] and is missing out on school... on the days he goes, i get to squeeze in a wee bit of computer time and/or sketching... but with both kids on separate nap schedules and both feeling the effects of a cold, there is little of that... as soon as it stops snowing, i might just head to a coffee shop and work on this project a bit more... that will be nice :)
you can see a recent photo of isabella here and of diego here... as i type, isabella has awaken from her final nap and diego is itching to boot me off the computer and get onto pbs kids...
lastly, many thanks to melissa garrett for interviewing me... you can read it here!
When on earth do you sleep? If you are up so late and have to be up in the am for the kiddos....
So, like your cleaning, everything has to be perfect? I really wish you lived close to me so you could whip my butt into shape.
Beautiful illustrations. I especially like the little girl in the hippie skirt!
Posted by: Aletha | February 12, 2008 at 08:01 PM
I love your illlustrations..
Posted by: Nyx | February 13, 2008 at 12:25 AM
just darling! even your sketches are cute! can't wai tot see the finished projects!
perfection
jessi
Posted by: jessi nagy | February 13, 2008 at 07:18 AM
These are wonderful sketches!!
I think the time taken really does make for a better character - it at least lets you feel more intimate with your concepts, as for a viewer - we can all appreciate well crafted drawings.
I look forward to seeing these completed! Good luck with the Etsy (I love that place), and crongrats on the interview.
-David
Posted by: David Poe | February 13, 2008 at 08:27 AM
I found you through Melissa Garrett's blog. I love your illustrations. They are really special. Beautiful famil too!
Sonya
Posted by: Sonya | February 13, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I love the sketches. I particularly like the little girl in the polka dot boots hugging the lady in glasses!
Posted by: Simone | February 13, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Lovely artwork Ellia, I can't wait to se the finished book and find out more about it. Thanks for your lovely comment too!! x
Posted by: Karen | February 13, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Hi Ellia! I love the 2nd pic, with the lovely boho skirt! :)
Posted by: jo | February 13, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Great Illustrations as always, they look stunning and more styled! looking forward to seeing them complete, know what you mean about repeating till perfect... (we are too hard on ourselves!). Congrats on the interview! Kim
Posted by: Kim | February 14, 2008 at 05:47 AM
I LOVE your style of art! It's so happy and whimsical and makes me feel all giggly inside. I can't wait for your shop update!
Posted by: odd dotty | February 14, 2008 at 08:19 PM
congrats for the interview, Ellia!
you really deseirve it!
xoxo**
Posted by: Ester | February 20, 2008 at 09:55 AM