A new book just hit the shelves, last week. Buddy's Bedtime Battery by Chirstina Geist (published by Random House) is my latest book and I want to take you behind the pages to see how the project progressed.
It's always exciting to get the first printed books in the mail. After months of a studio full of art boards in progress, wet paint and gallons of coffee (not part of the painting process but very necessary), the final product is a welcome payoff. Buddy finally arrived!
Now, let's look at how Buddy arrived. After reading the story manuscript and creating sketches for the characters, a full length book dummy was created. When the book sketches were finalized, the painting process began.
I created a production line of boards with images of each page. I taped the edges with low-tac tape to keep that area clean and white. Then, an underpainting with brown acrylic paint was washed (thin layers) onto the boards. I usually do this when the final art is created with oil paint. The acrylic and polymer layers sealed the paper board from the oils and gave me a good (light and dark) value study to follow.
At this stage, the studio was full of artwork covering every flat space to be found. I have a drying rack for storing work in progress but I like to see everything laid, side by side.
Here is the title page. The towel area on the left was used for copyright and publishing information. The title was placed on the wall, above the bathtub. Notice the pajamas are visible, just below the towel. I often use elements and story props to hint at what's coming on the following page(s).
Here is one of the illustration spreads. One of my favorite images of the book.
This was my table, somewhere under the shingles of drying illustrations. The images were at various stages of completion so Buddy's hair looks really dark on the bottom image, etc. I worked on several paintings at a time and all art started to finalize toward the end of the process....which is also called..."the deadline" (If all goes as planned). It was a fairly long process and sometimes hard to see the end when spending days painting little parts, adjusting colors and adding detail. But eventually, it all came together and a package with the final art of Buddy's Bedtime Battery traveled to Random House.
Then, months later, I get to see the book on NBC, being read to millions of TV viewers. How COOL is that? So exciting! ...So surreal! ...Yay, Buddy!
...deep breath...now, back to the drawing board. :)
oIn an effort to assuage the annoyance of my cat Iggy towards all the doggies I’ve been drawing lately, I present to you:
“Cat’s Pajamas”
So, when you get a chance, swing by here and check out my fellow SkADaMoers (yes it’s a word. I know because I just made it up.)
Cheers!
Pajama Day! I love the thought. A day to stay inside, kick back, and coast. A day for breakfast in bed! Toast, eggs, coffee with cream and strawberries on the side with a good book or magazine to follow! Aaaahhhhh!!
As much as I love the idea, I rarely do it! The last Pajama Day I had was when I had the flu three years ago! ha! I suppose it is because I associate pajamas with the END of the day, with going to sleep. … and personally, I would rather be AWAKE!
Perhaps I will get in my pajamas just before dinner. Perhaps I will make eggs, toast, coffee with cream and strawberries on the side for dinner and cozy up with my good book for the evening. Yes, Pajama Night!!
Filed under:
Just for fun 
On October 6, millions of people all over the world will read “Llama Llama Red Pajama”, by Anna Dewdney, as part of Read for the Record. Our friends at Jumpstart hold this event every year, bringing together parents, teachers, kids, volunteers, celebrities, political leaders and everyone else under the sun to call for an end to the achievement gap that affects kids from low-income neighborhoods.
This year, we’re on track to help set a world record, with 2.1 million people all reading this amazing book. First Book loves “Llama Llama Red Pajama”, and we’re excited to be able to offer it to schools and programs in our network. In order to get the books out to you in time for the kids in your program to participate in Read for the Record, you’ll need to get your order in right away!
So order copies for the kids that you serve and register online to add your voice to the cause.
My sketches are going back to doodles at this point. I don't mind. For this entire project, I've just drawn what I felt like at the time. I'm just enjoying the simple act of putting pencil to paper. My goal is to continue this practice after this project is complete.
Everyone got pajamas for Christmas except for my husband. He didn't want any, go figure. I was able to use my mom's serger, until the blades came loose. I then had to set up shop in my bedroom on a tv tray. It took a couple of late nights, but I did it!
Here's my youngest sporting his latest do—the Faux Hawk. I had to make his top twice because the pattern sizing was way off. He'd still like this to be longer, but I'm done for now. You can see a little bit of my psychedelic pjs behind his chair. I love these!!! I never want to take the off. They're the warmest clothes I own.
It's almost impossible to get my boys to model clothes at this point. I had to sneak this shot. A mama does what she has to to get the job done. After I made them, I realized that they look a little bit like Star Trek Next Generation. I swear that was an accident ;-)
Even the dog got pajamas. He's always shivering so he needed some! Here he is in his Toy Story bean bag chair over the heating vent. He's been there all morning. Tough life.
By:
Steve Novak,
on 6/23/2008
Blog:
Steve Draws Stuff
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
girl,
scary,
pajamas,
sketch,
sleep,
rough,
bear,
none,
giant,
toy,
night,
pal,
teddy,
banter,
huge,
witty,
strange,
Add a tag
Just a little something I sketched last night while laying in bed, half asleep. I'll save you the annoyance of sitting though any of my "witty" banter today.
Steve~
Review of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
.jpeg?picon=3304)
<
‘S goodday for SkADaMo! He he! Have to share this jammin’ cat with my little girl – purrfect!
Too funny:) Love the idea of fishes on the pijama.
just perfect pants for a cozy sunday
He looks pretty pleased with himself. Cats rule!!
Crazy good!
Love the gleam in her eye! Adorable!
Sweet. Funny. Love!
…and the fish on the PJs is hilarious! lol
Lovely illustrations! You’re an amazing artist!