UP!–OK…Wow! Sorcerer’s Stone ILLUSTRATED!

Posted on October 15, 2015 by writersideup

(NOTE: while this post is current, scroll on the sidebar —in a separate tab or window—to click to listen to Hedwig’s Theme while reading 😀)

It just goes to show you how behind I am on news that, several years ago, I would’ve been aware of AGES before it happened. Today, on one of my Barnes & Noble visits, as I was making a bee-line for the Children’s Books section, I passed by a 4-step display and once THIS COVER registered in my mind ❗ , I doubled back to get a better look. As if put under the Imperius Curse 😕 , as I stepped forward my arms raised and I snatched a copy from its perch. I greedily put it in a basket to peruse along with the dozen other picture books I would gather. Of course, I saved looking at this for last 😎 . Continue reading →

UP! — Nerdy Chicks DO Rule! :D

Posted on August 3, 2015 by writersideup

Seriously—when you visit Disney World, is a 1-week vacation enough to fit in all the amazing attractions? No way! When your time is limited you need to plan—picking and choosing what to see, when and how often (yes, I have a few for which, like Lays Potato Chips–once is not enough). It’s very much the same in the expansive online “Disney” World of Kidlit. There are SO many “rides and attractions,” we must decide which to visit, when and how often. It can be quite the struggle, but some “rides” are no-brainers and deserve repeating, again and again, such as the amazing sites “Nerdy Chicks Rule” and its sister blog “Kidlit Summer School.” Continue reading →

UP!–Tracing Paper spells: RELIEF

Posted on May 15, 2015 by writersideup

Well, trusted followers, even if you don’t illustrate or do artwork, I hope you find this article interesting, it showing a small part of my illustration process. Several years ago this was published in our now out-of-print NJ SCBWI Magazine “Sprouts” (posted here in full and accurate). My receiving positive feedback, having been told how this was helpful, I’m hoping it will be so again here. It is important to note that since writing this article, though I still use tracing paper for nearly everything outlined here, I have recently begun using my scanner and Photoshop Elements (PSE) for more ease in composition, scale, and transferring line-drawings to paper to render finished artwork. Whether you do or don’t have access to a scanner or Photoshop, these tips are still very relevant. Also, though images of several of my original characters were used for the print magazine, I chose not to post them on the internet until they are contracted. Instead I created generic, quick sketches for the purpose of this article. With that said, here you go!… Continue reading →

UP!–Robert McCloskey: KidLit Legend

Posted on April 22, 2015 by writersideup

It’s hard to believe it’s been 1 1/2 years since I first drafted this post. It was almost a year before I actually launched my blogs! Now that there’s a break between posts involving ReRead-alongs, events I’ve attended and KidLit-related occasions to acknowledge, I can finally share with you this little celebration of a truly great talent:

In wanting to know a bit more about illustrators whose work I admire, I discovered to what extent author/illustrator Robert McCloskey’s work touched the world.

As a renowned author and illustrator, Robert McCloskey has influenced many in the field of children’s literature. Born on September 14, 1914, Robert’s childhood was spent in post-World War I America, in Hamilton, Ohio, with his parents and two younger sisters. His interests were of a creative nature, developing at an early age. Along with art, he enjoyed music, having learned to play the harmonica. He also had a penchant for inventing mechanical devices, which led his parents to encourage him to pursue a career in auto mechanics, believing art was not a viable way to earn a living. However, art won out. Continue reading →

UP!–Randolph Caldecott: The Man Behind the Medal

Posted on October 24, 2014 by writersideup

Born in Chester, England on March 22, 1846, Randolph Caldecott, the British artist and illustrator, made an indelible mark in the world of children’s book publishing during his short life, having died just shy of his 40^th birthday on February 12, 1886. This is why, in 1937, at the suggestion of Frederic G. Melcher, the American Library Association established The Randolph Caldecott Medal.

I’m sure that if I had properly attended art school and focused on illustration, I would’ve long ago known more about Randolph Caldecott. During my research, I discovered his artistic skills and innovation to be remarkable, especially considering the time period in which his picture books were printed. The ideal pairing of Caldecott as an illustrator, and Edmund Evans as engraver and printer, resulted in high-quality books that were—and still are—more than impressive. Caldecott’s work was so outstanding at that time, it is said that Beatrix Potter’s father purchased Caldecott originals to inspire his daughter. Continue reading →