Sorry,  it's been quite some time that I've been able to even work on the book.  Still under a tight deadline that I've given myself.  The fact that when "product" design work comes in, I really take the project.  Love to keep my hand in that field as well.  Metal Christmas ornaments this time for a series that Waterford is using.   Even a quick trip into the BIG City proved beneficial for Product work.

Now that the projects are finished I'm back to the book.  It's time to have a "proof" reader review my story for grammar, spelling and punctuation.  I'm about 3/4 of the way with the illustrations.  One of drawings that I like is the the Train scene where CeCie is sucked out of the train door and well....he does topple off the train.  It's a 2 page drawing called a "spread."

It's not the final illustration, but close to it.

Character color recognition

The computer photo shows me that all characters have the same color, using the "ink dropper" in photoshop so the story continues from page to page.

This is important!  I look at everything that might relate or that I could use for color or ideas for the book.  A wonderful birthday card with presents, balloons, candles etc.  I love the colors on the candy box, so I'm sure they will be the colors I'll use for the balloons.  The Christmas tin with the snowman is so rich with the Turquoise color and other colors in it that I'll add more complimentary transparent colors to the cover.  Just keep looking and anything you like might influence the book story or drawings.

Cover Color

I needed to get working on business cards and posters for advertising the 5th book will be here by early fall.  So after CeCie was developed I started looking at the "family" of the series and how the new color would fit in.  Two photos show the set as its developing and the Cover to announce the new book.  The Title has changed 3 times since this photo.  :)  Always changing...that's normal.

A little "hold" on the book.  I received an email for a Industrial Design project for Waterford Metal Ornaments, so this had to take priority.  12 designs were chosen from my concepts, now mechanicals are due A.S.A.P.
However, I noticed that I didn't put up the last visual to share with you on the development of CeCie for the color.  The image is just a few of the concept drawings from the computer that need to been "seen" for me to critique.  To get to this stage, I drew CeCie by hand, colored him in and then scanned him into Photoshop where I do my airbrushing. I will show the first and final in another Blog to show the difference the computer makes.

Thank you for your patience with the development of CeCie.

Development of a page from sketch to final

Starting with a sketch, I keep cleaning it up until I like it.  Then I color as much as I can by hand with inks and scan it into photoshop. I do a lot of airbrushing on the character to make him look furry and rounded.  I've already made up the background the same way.  I can then "place" the character and resize him if necessary.  I'll put this aside and see if it works well with the story.  I already know I'll be changing his color to a more tan teddy.   See the 5 photos explaining this process.

Half size - dummy book

I forgot to include this very critical "Bible" as I call it.  I use this to start sketching "half size" and get story ideas pasted in...this is constantly changing.  From here I start to go to a loose leaf binder "same size" as the book.  I slip sketches, tracings, ideas, etc from the top opening which gets rather thick as I update this.  I will have 2 loose leaf binders...one for the thoughts & sketches and one for the final drawings, however, the story keeps changing until I send it to the publisher.

Started drawing the new character to get a feel for him.  Not sure he should be the traditional color of tan.  Any comments?

This is Cece, so far.  Right now the sketches have stopped because I need get to the story.  Many changes, many directions, but I had to get to SEE the character before I could get the story really started.  Tomorrow I'm going to Mystic Ct to a Stuffed Bear Store to make sure Cece IS the cutest.

When I'm drawing, inking, creating, designing I seem start to work in a 10" space or smaller.  Here is a photo of my desk with reference.  I still think Cece will be my character.

This was a great weekend to just stay in... cozy, snowstorm and good news!  I'm finally liking my new character.  CC the keeper of the Birthday "Magic Sceptre."  The image is of my "postage size" story.   This is great to "see" the whole book...to see where it starts with the character development, the problems, the journey and the solution.

Here are the roughs when I just throw everything from my mind (which none of it was good, so I started over)

5 days so far and finally I think I have a story line.  My character of a candle just wasn't working....so I started from scratch about a toy for the Main Character that will be in charge of the Birthday Magic Sceptre.

As Winston Churchill quoted:

"Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement.  Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant.  The last phase is that just as you are about to reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public."

I think I need the Magic Sceptre!  (I'll probably be saying that a lot of times)  Right now doing a lot of research.  Other books on Birthdays...good & what NOT to do.  Balloons,  presents and birthday cakes, ice cream motifs....and oh yes..taxes to be finished first.

Welcome to my Blog page, my goal is to keep you updated on the progress of the 5th in the Magic Sceptre series with drawings, ideas, timeline etc.  Enjoy and kindly make comments if you would like.

Teena the Tiny Tooth Fairy

Teena is still the 4th book in the series, I didn't want anyone to forget her.

Start of something New

Hello Everyone,
I'd thought you'd like to see the progression of the new book for 2012 in The Magic Sceptre series with sketches, characters and direction.