tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176529995066992012024-03-13T04:36:13.061-07:00Kelley McMorris illustrationDrawings and musings of a freelance children's illustrator.Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.comBlogger429125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-75894910794121052742021-10-04T07:58:00.003-07:002021-10-04T08:08:02.182-07:00Saint and Sinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SiIiMqtCSVo/YVon__xtQgI/AAAAAAAAqo8/YaVLCTrd1jIJU4I55W3t1YmkoX8hPWnjwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1200/saint_sinner_mcmorris_sm_frame.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1200" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SiIiMqtCSVo/YVon__xtQgI/AAAAAAAAqo8/YaVLCTrd1jIJU4I55W3t1YmkoX8hPWnjwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h410/saint_sinner_mcmorris_sm_frame.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Prints Available: <a href="https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/kmcmorris/saint/" target="_blank">Saint print</a>, <a href="https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/kmcmorris/sinner/" target="_blank">Sinner print</a>, <a href="https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/kmcmorris/saint-and-sinner/" target="_blank">both images together</a></p><p>If there's one thing I like, it's <a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2016/01/1001-knights-tomoe-gozen.html" target="_blank">cool warrior women</a>, <a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2014/09/personal-work-princess-kaiulani.html" target="_blank">historical or otherwise</a>. I've always wanted to draw Joan of Arc, and I have several unfinished drawings of her that go back years. I was never able to finish them because I felt they were cliché and uninspired. What I could bring to Joan of Arc imagery that hadn't been done before?</p><p>Recently I purchased some of <a href="https://howardlyonart.gumroad.com/?sort=newest" target="_blank">Howard Lyon's reference packs</a>, just because they looked cool, and found this gem of a reference photo:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2HYSX7GYgs/YVd6IMnISYI/AAAAAAAAqkU/ZxSdrxSMUbkXJJU24z4tc5Q1qnbu8cANACNcBGAsYHQ/s467/howardlyonkaylee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="467" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2HYSX7GYgs/YVd6IMnISYI/AAAAAAAAqkU/ZxSdrxSMUbkXJJU24z4tc5Q1qnbu8cANACNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h396/howardlyonkaylee.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><i>That's a good Joan</i>, I thought. Although I didn't know exactly where I was going with this, the ideas started coming as I drew.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSY0SV2JY6I/YVd7rIf2FDI/AAAAAAAAqkc/5qU6aDNI5hQ1v6rTXcghpnlPIID9l91oQCNcBGAsYHQ/s750/rough02%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSY0SV2JY6I/YVd7rIf2FDI/AAAAAAAAqkc/5qU6aDNI5hQ1v6rTXcghpnlPIID9l91oQCNcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/rough02%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>For the past few years I've been thinking a lot about the intersection of faith and politics, and how people sometimes change their religious beliefs depending on what's politically advantageous.</p><p>Joan of Arc didn't change what she believed or how she behaved. She simply was who she was. Whether she was being labeled a miracle, heretic or a martyr, all depended on who was in power at the time and what <i>they</i> needed to believe about <i>her</i>.</p><p>Finally I had a concept that felt meaningful to me. I developed the idea of a diptych titled <i>Saint and Sinner</i>. (Not to be confused with my favorite ice cream shop, <i>Salt & Straw</i>.) The compositions would contrast Joan's consistency and conviction with the changing environment around her. I found another photo in <a href="https://howardlyonart.gumroad.com/l/KayleeContemporary" target="_blank">the reference pack</a> of the model with her face slightly upturned, so now I had two photos of the same model. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTTasFsn2VA/YVd9KUJbrCI/AAAAAAAAqkk/Uf6QH6jsbDE-dxpJGBjqKaWt7-79ZAJfwCNcBGAsYHQ/s500/Kaylee%2B-%2BLyon%2B-%2B00813%2Bcopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="500" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTTasFsn2VA/YVd9KUJbrCI/AAAAAAAAqkk/Uf6QH6jsbDE-dxpJGBjqKaWt7-79ZAJfwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h239/Kaylee%2B-%2BLyon%2B-%2B00813%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>For the "Saint" picture, I collected pictures of suits of armor in similar lighting situations. (I didn't want to spend a ton of time digging into the particulars of historical armor, <a href="https://www.jeanne-darc.info/biography/suit-of-armour/" target="_blank">but the very brief research I did</a> indicated that Joan's armor should be simple.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0crbxnoyhqE/YVd9oy5JXEI/AAAAAAAAqks/dPDG7rgcFDsuMkDTLzKKT1p68mQV7qKqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s693/armor_refs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="693" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0crbxnoyhqE/YVd9oy5JXEI/AAAAAAAAqks/dPDG7rgcFDsuMkDTLzKKT1p68mQV7qKqwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h296/armor_refs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>For the "Sinner" picture, I took my own reference photos for the body and hands, using a lamp on the floor and a jump rope.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7d-LuIJUs8/YVeJbzD9SBI/AAAAAAAAqk0/61YrMJTwIDcn1XEvVKDjbIjlwwBBb5eBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/both.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="2048" height="369" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7d-LuIJUs8/YVeJbzD9SBI/AAAAAAAAqk0/61YrMJTwIDcn1XEvVKDjbIjlwwBBb5eBwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h369/both.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>With all these reference photos assembled, I started putting the drawings together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZucUH1dlQY/YVeLpx7EAkI/AAAAAAAAqk8/FivpDWTGhRY3quWKKraL2p1g7GNu0l-4QCNcBGAsYHQ/s800/sinner01%2Bcopy4%2Bcopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="800" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZucUH1dlQY/YVeLpx7EAkI/AAAAAAAAqk8/FivpDWTGhRY3quWKKraL2p1g7GNu0l-4QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h398/sinner01%2Bcopy4%2Bcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>While I was excited about this direction, and excited to be producing my first personal pieces since January (yikes), I still felt like something was missing. I sent the WIPs to my friend <a href="https://www.artstation.com/annainklee" target="_blank">Anna Inkyung Lee</a>, a concept artist. She was the one who suggested adding the directional elements in the form of flags and halberds, which greatly strengthened the compositions. Thank you, Anna!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysROJUJpTr4/YVon6gn4ZUI/AAAAAAAAqo4/u1qK8gUmFOMffXiD0C-ilE1-H6hdNUoaACNcBGAsYHQ/s1200/saint_sinner_mcmorris_sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1200" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysROJUJpTr4/YVon6gn4ZUI/AAAAAAAAqo4/u1qK8gUmFOMffXiD0C-ilE1-H6hdNUoaACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h410/saint_sinner_mcmorris_sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Having good reference photos can make a drawing so much easier. I highly recommend <a href="https://howardlyonart.gumroad.com/?sort=newest" target="_blank">Howard Lyon's reference packs on Gumroad</a>. They're absolutely worth the money.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N33DBeZH5UA/YVsYwsxm2EI/AAAAAAAAqqI/h44D9Oq9r4ER2jj318Wy7iU-EFagH0YhgCNcBGAsYHQ/s900/saint_ref.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="900" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N33DBeZH5UA/YVsYwsxm2EI/AAAAAAAAqqI/h44D9Oq9r4ER2jj318Wy7iU-EFagH0YhgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h458/saint_ref.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YxaAyKtckN4/YVeTia02ZAI/AAAAAAAAqlM/k7DP69_tG0EY6SweqhvsISZGzv_KS_yiACNcBGAsYHQ/s1000/saint_sinner_closeup2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="1000" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YxaAyKtckN4/YVeTia02ZAI/AAAAAAAAqlM/k7DP69_tG0EY6SweqhvsISZGzv_KS_yiACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h317/saint_sinner_closeup2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you've never read about Joan of Arc, I'd recommend checking her out, even if it's just going through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc" target="_blank">her Wikipedia page</a> for a while. For example, did you know that <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Trial_of_Joan_of_Arc/egG7xswE2wcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=the+trial+of+joan+of+arc&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">you can read the complete transcripts of her trial</a>? And that she was executed for heresy <i>and</i> for wearing men's clothing?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6K7BDTd7gI/YVok5695pGI/AAAAAAAAqog/qUAU_i5uIEMYZkjbFksU9bBxDXsJkusHgCNcBGAsYHQ/s900/saint_sinner_closeup1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="900" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6K7BDTd7gI/YVok5695pGI/AAAAAAAAqog/qUAU_i5uIEMYZkjbFksU9bBxDXsJkusHgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h316/saint_sinner_closeup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The world is full of people who say one thing, yet do another. Joan was consistent in her conviction, to the very end. That's why we remember her, while the men who prosecuted her, assaulted her, or turned a blind eye to her situation, are footnotes in history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway this is veering dangerously close to an artist statement, and I'm scared of those, so bye.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">bye</div>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-33738003268193314762021-03-04T19:00:00.003-08:002021-03-04T19:02:55.177-08:00What Does Well on Social Media<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJwB_UDGEkg/X1Ql45axhNI/AAAAAAAAczE/HlEd4rSnWmwsEsfrhffLYhkXObti0HsmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s891/mcmorris_noemi_final_sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="700" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJwB_UDGEkg/X1Ql45axhNI/AAAAAAAAczE/HlEd4rSnWmwsEsfrhffLYhkXObti0HsmgCNcBGAsYHQ/w491-h625/mcmorris_noemi_final_sm.jpg" width="491" /></a> </div><p></p><p>This drawing went viral on Twitter last year.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I recently read MEXICAN GOTHIC by <a href="https://twitter.com/silviamg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@silviamg</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/DelReyBooks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DelReyBooks</a> . It's a horror novel set in Mexico during the 1950's. I can't get the beautiful and disturbing imagery out of my head so I had to draw this fanart. Plz send help <a href="https://t.co/oHHN9L0J0I">pic.twitter.com/oHHN9L0J0I</a></p>— Kelley McMorris🌈🌈 (@kelleymcmorris) <a href="https://twitter.com/kelleymcmorris/status/1286694820279234561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2020</a></blockquote><p>That doesn't usually happen to me. Despite making a living as a professional illustrator for seven years now, most of the art I post online get maybe 40 "likes" on Facebook or Twitter before disappearing into the internet abyss. </p><p>But over the years, I have had a few pieces go viral.</p><p>Here's one, a fanart of Hamilton from 2016, which <a href="https://kmcmorris.tumblr.com/post/145577801260/farmer-refuted-for-the-ham4pam-project-by" target="_blank">has over a thousand "notes" on Tumblr</a>. (Is that a lot? I dunno, it felt like a lot to me!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hXLqvueGXk/X1QmbEXd36I/AAAAAAAAczM/_Ae4BN5MXEYjOdbsTsNNW74yd7VcGc3FACNcBGAsYHQ/s768/farmer_refuted_kelley_mcmorris.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="500" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hXLqvueGXk/X1QmbEXd36I/AAAAAAAAczM/_Ae4BN5MXEYjOdbsTsNNW74yd7VcGc3FACNcBGAsYHQ/w406-h625/farmer_refuted_kelley_mcmorris.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-i-became-facebook-meme.html">This image went viral as a meme on Facebook</a> years and years ago, and it still pops up on my feed every once in a while. It's probably impossible to measure how many times it's been shared as a meme.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pA7F48tdg10/UxDTX_5AhSI/AAAAAAAAFng/P0RupFIeOxM/s800/imagination_by_kelleybean86-d3dmas2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="575" height="625" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pA7F48tdg10/UxDTX_5AhSI/AAAAAAAAFng/P0RupFIeOxM/w450-h625/imagination_by_kelleybean86-d3dmas2.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, here's a comic I made that, as of this writing, <a href="https://twitter.com/kelleymcmorris/status/1312604803537666048" target="_blank">has 17k likes on Twitter</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEebIPOyKS4/YEGIikHRJoI/AAAAAAAAjnw/Uy8kPq1XHlwnI5ZJo3zNIo6ndDWtcv1SQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1089/otherartists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEebIPOyKS4/YEGIikHRJoI/AAAAAAAAjnw/Uy8kPq1XHlwnI5ZJo3zNIo6ndDWtcv1SQCNcBGAsYHQ/w588-h640/otherartists.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you want to know which of my drawings<b> don't</b> do well on social media?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*drumroll please*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">BASICALLY EVERYTHING ELSE!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Check out the (lack of) engagement on these sweet, sweet posts:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I heard <a href="https://twitter.com/American_Girl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@American_Girl</a> introduced the new Courtney character today! I did some of the illustrations for her book, including this ridiculously intense 80's mall scene! <a href="https://t.co/6oBIne4LT0">pic.twitter.com/6oBIne4LT0</a></p>— Kelley McMorris🌈🌈 (@kelleymcmorris) <a href="https://twitter.com/kelleymcmorris/status/1306367194268200961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">So excited to show you guys the cover I did for the re-release of NOWHERE BOY, by <a href="https://twitter.com/MarshKatherine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarshKatherine</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/MacmillanUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MacmillanUSA</a> . Thank you to AD <a href="https://twitter.com/auroraparl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@auroraparl</a> for the job, I frikkin LOVE this book <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kidlitart?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kidlitart</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/middlegrade?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#middlegrade</a> <a href="https://t.co/NYzJ2r2iZW">pic.twitter.com/NYzJ2r2iZW</a></p>— Kelley McMorris🌈🌈 (@kelleymcmorris) <a href="https://twitter.com/kelleymcmorris/status/1298402172984385536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy to be able to share this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bookcover?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bookcover</a> I illustrated for Camille S. Campbell's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/middlegrade?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#middlegrade</a> fantasy novel THE WISHNER'S MASQUERADE! Book available here: <a href="https://t.co/RBPM1LuvoR">https://t.co/RBPM1LuvoR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kidlitart?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kidlitart</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoverReveal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoverReveal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArtistOnTwitter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArtistOnTwitter</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Ib7HbcHFe">pic.twitter.com/3Ib7HbcHFe</a></p>— Kelley McMorris🌈🌈 (@kelleymcmorris) <a href="https://twitter.com/kelleymcmorris/status/1283045956922081293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So, what art does well on social media?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>There can be lots of factors. But I think an important one is that the art resonates with people emotionally.</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>It's not about how technically good the drawing is.</i> Sometimes the drawings that go viral are carefully rendered; sometimes they're just quick little doodles. </p><p style="text-align: left;">This is why fanart tends to go viral: people have a strong emotional reaction to fanart because it brings up the emotions associated with a beloved character from the movie or book.</p><p>How about my self-portrait, then, the one of me writing at a desk? That one isn't fanart. Why did that go viral?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HWD6Sw_vnw/YEGYwWnkBeI/AAAAAAAAjn4/77wOufVT2ysAtsmLnGQejrOMjSjyn1zwACNcBGAsYHQ/s1000/imagination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="1000" height="348" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HWD6Sw_vnw/YEGYwWnkBeI/AAAAAAAAjn4/77wOufVT2ysAtsmLnGQejrOMjSjyn1zwACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h348/imagination.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Back in The Great Before Time, when I did conventions, I was able to see people respond to this piece in person. I learned that, even though it's a drawing of me, people tend to see <i>themselves</i> in it - especially writers. They relate to the visual depiction of worldbuilding.</p><p style="text-align: left;">So what about my other drawings, the unpopular ones that never even broke 40 likes on Twitter? Are they <i>bad</i> because people don't respond to them emotionally?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>No. Those pieces are meant to be used in the context of a client's project. </b>They met the client's needs, but don't evoke an emotional response in the average person, especially out of context.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>And that's fine.</b> These are going nowhere on social media, but my clients were happy, I got paid, and hopefully kids are out there enjoying the books I've illustrated. Those are my goals. Some pats on the back on Twitter are much appreciated, but since that's not my goal, I don't get too upset when it doesn't happen. (I mean, do I whine about it sometimes? Sure! I'm only human!)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Ask yourself why social media popularity is important to you. It's fine to want attention and compliments; we all do! But know that online popularity isn't necessarily a ticket to riches and fame. <a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2018/10/does-online-popularity-matter.html" target="_blank">And there are many art careers where it's not necessary at all.</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">So if you're struggling to find traction online: it doesn't mean that there's anything <i>wrong</i> with your art. Getting noticed might be a matter of luck and persistence, or it might be that your art just doesn't fit social media trends. <i>The internet just likes certain things.</i> The good news is that employers and publishers like other things, art galleries like other things, conventions and art fairs like other things. There's a place for your art. It may take some time and research to find it, but I believe that it's out there.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Don't let the silence on social media grind you down.</p> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-31831472218902154862021-01-04T09:44:00.004-08:002021-01-04T09:44:47.580-08:00Dustin, the Scorched<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCmlYARuZ2o/X-_CXsO4THI/AAAAAAAAhhQ/mGryJtReoOAwoDLCreIZs5IKGh1IViRAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s800/mcmorris_scorched_mage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCmlYARuZ2o/X-_CXsO4THI/AAAAAAAAhhQ/mGryJtReoOAwoDLCreIZs5IKGh1IViRAgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/mcmorris_scorched_mage.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><p>Lately I've been wanting to create some sample illustrations to submit to Wizards of the Coast. When Christmas rolled around, I was wondering what gift to give to my brother-in-law Dusty. He plays Magic the Gathering, and he's always been very supportive of my artwork. So I figured: two birds, one stone. Let's draw a Magic card for Dusty!</p><p>Dusty is...shall we say...not a shrinking violet. I knew right away that he needed to be a red fire mage. I also knew that, if the card was going to realistically look like Dusty, I was going to need to ask him to take some photo references. So the portrait wasn't going to be a surprise.</p><p>Still I think he was more than a little surprised when one morning I sent him this photo:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DONJJEEGqL8/X-_DcuWQFzI/AAAAAAAAhhg/T5W-3dWcRuIX_sB0Ivm4U9MZVqk-Rq6WQCNcBGAsYHQ/s800/ref1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DONJJEEGqL8/X-_DcuWQFzI/AAAAAAAAhhg/T5W-3dWcRuIX_sB0Ivm4U9MZVqk-Rq6WQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/ref1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>"Can you pose like this for me?" I said.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHMMoPmqRvc/X-_EIrDQtXI/AAAAAAAAhho/zdAhOH0JvRwt8RDwRI5qIfq-Td1V3M-IQCNcBGAsYHQ/s800/ref2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="800" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHMMoPmqRvc/X-_EIrDQtXI/AAAAAAAAhho/zdAhOH0JvRwt8RDwRI5qIfq-Td1V3M-IQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h492/ref2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>He certainly delivered.</p><p>The photo reference made the pose and expression easy, and I already settled a cool-toned background to contrast with the fire. But I had a surprisingly hard time coming up with an interesting outfit and character design. It went through a lot of iterations that were too Vanilla Fantasy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qbPANOJm3U/X-_E04pz1KI/AAAAAAAAhh0/bac3gmrqwwcvFQLocYXz_nNWjfP5kOUqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s800/dusty1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qbPANOJm3U/X-_E04pz1KI/AAAAAAAAhh0/bac3gmrqwwcvFQLocYXz_nNWjfP5kOUqgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/dusty1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FY2SgNvR53Y/X-_FSZSBh7I/AAAAAAAAhh8/Gz0Ff6QZUroVRv7rVHQBHl76XRjSP263ACNcBGAsYHQ/s800/dusty3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FY2SgNvR53Y/X-_FSZSBh7I/AAAAAAAAhh8/Gz0Ff6QZUroVRv7rVHQBHl76XRjSP263ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/dusty3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>My husband came up with the idea of "The Scorched Mage," a fire caster whose spells are so powerful that his own sleeves are singed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-1wyHjuoS0/X-_Fzxc1liI/AAAAAAAAhiE/lyPN2_RofPsV-vQDMEfhJ2MRC0zinVSnACNcBGAsYHQ/s476/dusty_closeup1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-1wyHjuoS0/X-_Fzxc1liI/AAAAAAAAhiE/lyPN2_RofPsV-vQDMEfhJ2MRC0zinVSnACNcBGAsYHQ/s16000/dusty_closeup1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The glasses is an alternate version.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izYK5bT8xvY/X-_Fz1jJOKI/AAAAAAAAhiI/OBKyYDbR-wMiBy1rgi7NqmTwF_-NyAT6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s472/dusty_closeup2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izYK5bT8xvY/X-_Fz1jJOKI/AAAAAAAAhiI/OBKyYDbR-wMiBy1rgi7NqmTwF_-NyAT6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s16000/dusty_closeup2.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rCv3nVLYoI/X-_Ghh-bhfI/AAAAAAAAhik/NkriosjzhCIblNOiNLy5KdJco8FbK_UYACNcBGAsYHQ/s900/dusty_mage_glasses_sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rCv3nVLYoI/X-_Ghh-bhfI/AAAAAAAAhik/NkriosjzhCIblNOiNLy5KdJco8FbK_UYACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/dusty_mage_glasses_sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, my husband designed a card for the art:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwaiL3TBuHY/X-_GOh7JjjI/AAAAAAAAhiY/TXEnvyBZG10lYjE3HZWdi1_eH-Gl2pmMwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1039/Dustin%252C%2Bthe%2BScorched.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="744" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwaiL3TBuHY/X-_GOh7JjjI/AAAAAAAAhiY/TXEnvyBZG10lYjE3HZWdi1_eH-Gl2pmMwCNcBGAsYHQ/w458-h640/Dustin%252C%2Bthe%2BScorched.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">So there you go, my first Legendary Planeswalker. Merry Christmas Dusty!</p><p></p>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-49806475137775195032020-12-31T21:02:00.002-08:002021-01-01T09:08:37.413-08:00Goodbye 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IP5_5riyxic/X-6r9cYLBVI/AAAAAAAAhgM/sktOnasafsoeK56YoynKVvEvmVdUsHU1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1382/mcmorris_kelley_2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1382" height="496" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IP5_5riyxic/X-6r9cYLBVI/AAAAAAAAhgM/sktOnasafsoeK56YoynKVvEvmVdUsHU1gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h496/mcmorris_kelley_2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">These are almost all of the illustrations I completed in 2020. There are a few more I couldn't include because they're still under NDA. Looking at them all assembled like this is satisfying. It also makes me realize how much I tend to use the color purple.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>*~*~ Superlatives ~*~*</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most Difficult</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuTOjSnqH5k/X-9SleNu71I/AAAAAAAAhgs/5TSVTPslkVQT4EU-t1X_IPf9O1ZZlcLBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1000/mcmorris_mallspread_book2_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1000" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuTOjSnqH5k/X-9SleNu71I/AAAAAAAAhgs/5TSVTPslkVQT4EU-t1X_IPf9O1ZZlcLBwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h482/mcmorris_mallspread_book2_final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><br />This frikkin mall scene from the Courtney book series from American Girl. This took FOREVER</i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most Unusual</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAt0_IC7PNk/Xvq1YM8bD1I/AAAAAAAAaK8/sSDsJeQ-S4gsSbKRSulqlqB3c3qTqQxlQCPcBGAYYCw/s1036/mexicangothicpaperdoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1036" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAt0_IC7PNk/Xvq1YM8bD1I/AAAAAAAAaK8/sSDsJeQ-S4gsSbKRSulqlqB3c3qTqQxlQCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h450/mexicangothicpaperdoll.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2020/06/mexican-gothic-paperdoll.html" target="_blank">This paper doll</a>, a promotional printable for the book Mexican Gothic from Del Rey Books. I'd never done a paper doll before, and I'm SO glad I got the chance!</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Personal Favorite</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp6UznjEpi8/X-9VPXpbFJI/AAAAAAAAhg4/xS1Ux0_0sUwX2BbJqzn07HSTpZCnx-u8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s891/mcmorris_noemi_final_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp6UznjEpi8/X-9VPXpbFJI/AAAAAAAAhg4/xS1Ux0_0sUwX2BbJqzn07HSTpZCnx-u8ACNcBGAsYHQ/w502-h640/mcmorris_noemi_final_sm.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>I was so inspired by the book Mexican Gothic that I created <a href="https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/kmcmorris/get-out-of-there-noemi/" target="_blank">this personal work</a>. This turned out better than my expectations and feels like an artistic breakthrough for me</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most Viral</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoJzSfdYWWw/X-9WGwd6SVI/AAAAAAAAhhA/5wHI1yHwc4kllNb47f33ftM32SkyGzjUgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1089/otherartists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoJzSfdYWWw/X-9WGwd6SVI/AAAAAAAAhhA/5wHI1yHwc4kllNb47f33ftM32SkyGzjUgCNcBGAsYHQ/w368-h400/otherartists.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>This stupid little comic that I drew in 5 minutes has, at time of writing, <a href="https://twitter.com/kelleymcmorris/status/1312604803537666048" target="_blank">17k likes on Twitter</a></i></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~</b></span></p><p>I have a lot to be grateful for this year. Since both my husband and I were already working from home, the shutdown didn't directly affect our income. Illustration jobs were maybe a tad on the slow side this year but not by much. I checked off a bucket list item by getting to work with Penguin Random House on three different projects! I'm also grateful that, so far, all of my family members are healthy, and none of us lost our houses in the wildfires.</p><p>Sometimes people ask me, "How do you manage to work from home with kids?" or "How do you manage to create personal work on top of freelance work?" Or "how do you find a balance?"</p><p>Look, I don't know if I have anything special figured out. These drawings were created through a haze. The exhaustion that comes from herding small children all day, the sleep deprivation that comes from having a baby, the stress that the news pumped into my veins. Working at a hot computer while our air conditioner died during the height of summer. Working while wondering if my sore throat and headache were symptoms of covid or just smoke inhalation from the wildfires. I didn't blog much, and I didn't post a lot of art on social media. Most of the time, it was all I could do to meet my deadlines.</p><p>What I think I've learned from this year is to, hopefully, be less judgmental of others' productivity - <i>especially</i> based on what they post online. Because if 2020 taught me anything, it's that <i>sometimes</i> the people who seem the least productive are the ones working the hardest.</p><p>The people going slowest may be the ones with steeper hills to climb.</p><p>I used to tell people to work harder! Draw more! Post more on social media! UPDATE THAT PORTFOLIO! But I'm not interested in berating people for not working harder anymore.</p><p>Now I just say, do your best. Because that's hard enough.</p><p>And that's good enough.</p><p>Also: buy a nice espresso machine. You'll thank me.</p>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-46187845993266594242020-08-25T16:27:00.001-07:002020-08-25T16:27:35.088-07:00Nowhere Boy cover<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_WGwwDOxIc/X0WXRc1X-zI/AAAAAAAAcNA/R798sQDfGL47fTSVB-gtfpcB53MdFbL7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/nowhere_boy_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1377" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_WGwwDOxIc/X0WXRc1X-zI/AAAAAAAAcNA/R798sQDfGL47fTSVB-gtfpcB53MdFbL7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/nowhere_boy_book_cover.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>I don't always have a chance to read the books for which I illustrate covers. </b>Usually it's a matter of time; the client wants me to get started right away and just gives me a brief synopsis of the book and whatever information I need to know. Sometimes they send me the manuscript to read on my own time, and sometimes they don't. Sometimes the book is still being written, and the client sends me just the first chapter to give me a feel for the story. This was a case where the client sent me the manuscript <b>and </b>I had the time to read it.</p><p><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/nowhere-boy/9781250211453"><i>Nowhere Boy</i> by Katherine Marsh</a> is the story of an American boy living in Belgium who finds another boy, a Syrian refugee, living in his basement. The two boys, Max and Ahmed, bond over their shared feelings of being unwelcome outsiders, and together they develop a clever plan to get Ahmed into school.</p><p>I loved, loved, loved this book. It's equal parts fun and exciting heist, and a deeply touching story of friendship, family and loss. One particular chapter had me weeping out loud, which is not something I expected from a middle-grade book. I should know better than to underestimate middle-grade by now!</p><p>Anyway enough gushing. Let's talk about the process.</p><p><i>Nowhere Boy</i> was originally published in 2018, but MacMillan wanted a fresh cover for this year's paperback re-release. The art director, Aurora Parlagreco, told me that she wanted something that expressed "hopeful friendship," and the idea of coming from two different worlds. She suggested a scene from the book where the two boys are riding a bike, with the skylines of Belgium and Aleppo in the background, but she also asked to see a few of my own ideas. Here are the sketches I sent.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5goJG9342k/X0WYMEEfGcI/AAAAAAAAcNI/HRXIi984LQ0P0Zl9yv4yzEA9KSGoPJQpgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1156/mcmorris_sketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="800" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5goJG9342k/X0WYMEEfGcI/AAAAAAAAcNI/HRXIi984LQ0P0Zl9yv4yzEA9KSGoPJQpgCNcBGAsYHQ/w554-h800/mcmorris_sketches.jpg" width="554" /></a></div><p>I like them all, but I liked the bike one the best, and the AD agreed.</p><p>Next, it was time for color. In the book, this scene takes place at sunset, so I really leaned into those colors. Since the scene is already a little on the quiet side (no dragons, explosions or sparkly magic), I thought the colors needed to be really vibrant in order to keep things interesting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bG0Fn0Nifc/X0WZSDB3ryI/AAAAAAAAcNU/sxdem2V9xFoNlOV2QYT5yNLnmzOH_XRdwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1011/mcmorris_color_rough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bG0Fn0Nifc/X0WZSDB3ryI/AAAAAAAAcNU/sxdem2V9xFoNlOV2QYT5yNLnmzOH_XRdwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/mcmorris_color_rough.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The team asked for a few tweaks, mostly for me to darken Ahmed's skin tone, to darken the clouds behind him, and to make sure that the skylines in the background were clearly different cities. Then I was free to go to final.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVtf79yxen4/X0WaYzpw9xI/AAAAAAAAcNg/-A83LQFA4pgABLMRgzFIkuEM0vQU4L4-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s750/closeup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="750" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVtf79yxen4/X0WaYzpw9xI/AAAAAAAAcNg/-A83LQFA4pgABLMRgzFIkuEM0vQU4L4-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/closeup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">BIKES ARE A LOT OF WORK TO DRAW.</p><p style="text-align: left;">PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE THIS DRAWING OF A BIKE, AND LEAVE COMMENTS TELLING ME WHAT A GOOD JOB I DID THANK YOU</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5_iKQqJLbA/X0WafHjA30I/AAAAAAAAcNk/1lmKz34dxN0kqeyoglHSV4kYxbSjKRl8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s922/closeup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="922" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5_iKQqJLbA/X0WafHjA30I/AAAAAAAAcNk/1lmKz34dxN0kqeyoglHSV4kYxbSjKRl8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/closeup2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I especially like Ahmed looking back over his shoulder at Syria, the dark clouds seeming to reach out towards him, and the symbolism of the boys riding together over a bridge.</p><p>As the young kids say, I<i> stan </i>visual symbolism. Did I use that right? Whatever, leave me alone</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tj3exMl7q3E/X0WauIAZzqI/AAAAAAAAcNw/L6L6iHiqGzMhiy-xKjlwiQGOnYAiYM2OgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1011/nowhere-boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tj3exMl7q3E/X0WauIAZzqI/AAAAAAAAcNw/L6L6iHiqGzMhiy-xKjlwiQGOnYAiYM2OgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/nowhere-boy.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">So here it is, I'm super proud of this cover and I love the type design Aurora did. Thank you for the gig, it was an honor to work on such a wonderful book!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/nowhere-boy/9781250211453" target="_blank">Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh is available now</a>,</b> but only the new paperback version uses this cover. If you order the hardback version, the cover is different.</p>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-63165017005643791722020-07-14T06:00:00.000-07:002020-07-14T06:00:05.053-07:00The Wishner's Masquerade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3nclZygdas/XwzzWRKlCxI/AAAAAAAAaiY/0iQ5nlDIGpAG1Suh61u_5UAsF-yfbVrcQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fantasy_middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3nclZygdas/XwzzWRKlCxI/AAAAAAAAaiY/0iQ5nlDIGpAG1Suh61u_5UAsF-yfbVrcQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fantasy_middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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This is the cover I illustrated for Camille S. Campbell's magical middle-grade adventure novel, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892PGCTK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">The Wishner's Masquerade</a></i>, which is<a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-wishners-curse-book-cover.html"> the second book in The Wishner trilogy</a>.</div>
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Camille described the main character, Janet, turning towards the viewer while wearing a dress made of red chiffon that looks like flames, a velvet jacket, and a mask. Behind her is the city of Wishdonius, and flying in the sky is an armored griffin.</div>
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I had never drawn a griffin before, much less an armored one, so I was a tad intimidated by this. I looked at other artists' drawings of griffins, as well as photographs of tigers and eagles, for inspiration. Here are the three rough sketches I sent.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qTqTIsNcusE/Xwz1AV4QUuI/AAAAAAAAais/EVfGWwffwY0HWEMfjkuvyz7XsKmZRXWcQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mcmorris_roughs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="1000" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qTqTIsNcusE/Xwz1AV4QUuI/AAAAAAAAais/EVfGWwffwY0HWEMfjkuvyz7XsKmZRXWcQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/mcmorris_roughs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Camille was concerned that the griffin looked a bit menacing when he was supposed to be the heroine's companion. So we tried a few more poses to get a more protective feel.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXDtf-U24v4/Xwz1U6bv4II/AAAAAAAAai4/MhCkvO0-W8IUwxAIp5KIdA5I75KJujcDQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mcmorris_roughs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="670" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXDtf-U24v4/Xwz1U6bv4II/AAAAAAAAai4/MhCkvO0-W8IUwxAIp5KIdA5I75KJujcDQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/mcmorris_roughs2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Camille liked the second sketch, so I sent a color rough. Since the brief already called for a flame colored dress and a sunset, that was an easy jumping off point.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjK1Eon6lho/Xwz2YzCOwaI/AAAAAAAAajE/7G9tCe7ah0gydK4XI7SjqX8D9wUv5g8xgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/wishner2_rough_color2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjK1Eon6lho/Xwz2YzCOwaI/AAAAAAAAajE/7G9tCe7ah0gydK4XI7SjqX8D9wUv5g8xgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/wishner2_rough_color2.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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When Camille approved the color sketch, I went to final. I knew from the previous cover that Camille is very fond of sparkles, so I made sure to add some extra sparkles in the foreground. The ones on the dress are pretty subtle though, more of a shimmer.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMO_RqlmtWQ/Xwz3H9a-DNI/AAAAAAAAajU/8Hmy3hkdRhMOVuIYHjUh-dT0RZBGKz2qQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fantasy_middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMO_RqlmtWQ/Xwz3H9a-DNI/AAAAAAAAajU/8Hmy3hkdRhMOVuIYHjUh-dT0RZBGKz2qQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fantasy_middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" width="407" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYJQnxMMOeo/Xwz3JPx_WgI/AAAAAAAAajY/Rq0xQF1qS9AeeAc34pWTW6xZ-QCU7dpGwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/closeup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="892" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYJQnxMMOeo/Xwz3JPx_WgI/AAAAAAAAajY/Rq0xQF1qS9AeeAc34pWTW6xZ-QCU7dpGwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/closeup2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm particularly proud of the way the designs in the armor and the velvet jacket turned out.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zjMLcSbyRo/Xwz3A315hUI/AAAAAAAAajM/SVNewrIGdM4lZnlEJOzMM7bNRLZv6Z7bACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/closerup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1111" height="368" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zjMLcSbyRo/Xwz3A315hUI/AAAAAAAAajM/SVNewrIGdM4lZnlEJOzMM7bNRLZv6Z7bACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/closerup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While I've made this process sound fairly streamlined in this blog post, it actually look me a few months. It was one of the first commissions I tackled after having baby #2. Usually I pride myself on my speed and cult-like devotion to deadlines, but <a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2019/12/motherhood-and-career-cont.html">last year kicked my butt so bad</a>. Here, check out this reference photo I took for the main character's hand:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-la73x0DWJmY/Xwz3-l3f4DI/AAAAAAAAajs/tlShvb4Bi0sL7R-pJIVDY7mHpFU5NFSQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ref.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-la73x0DWJmY/Xwz3-l3f4DI/AAAAAAAAajs/tlShvb4Bi0sL7R-pJIVDY7mHpFU5NFSQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/ref.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Why was it taken in the dark? Because I was working at night. If I adjust the levels to lighten the background you can see...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2PgEmFK4eE/Xwz4ZKv7pLI/AAAAAAAAaj0/XqfnwoLlFuYcwHVp44DCBZ_3czYRj2wgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ref2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2PgEmFK4eE/Xwz4ZKv7pLI/AAAAAAAAaj0/XqfnwoLlFuYcwHVp44DCBZ_3czYRj2wgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/ref2.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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...a bassinet, where a tineh bebeh was surely sleeping!</div>
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Anyway much thanks to Camille for her patience with me during this process! She was even kind enough to send me a signed copy of the book! <3 <3 <3</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_umXI4EMcow/Xw0lxaSdqRI/AAAAAAAAamE/OvfKpxQfxiIciS3vwsBHWKQ2UZBJ9IPYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200713_165004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_umXI4EMcow/Xw0lxaSdqRI/AAAAAAAAamE/OvfKpxQfxiIciS3vwsBHWKQ2UZBJ9IPYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200713_165004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892PGCTK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">The Wishner's Masquerade</a> is available now!</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-55485592777443011032020-06-30T07:21:00.000-07:002020-07-13T14:10:17.882-07:00Mexican Gothic Paperdoll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAt0_IC7PNk/Xvq1YM8bD1I/AAAAAAAAaK4/y19j631xeAMbhzRUR8cD5RobQ8rj6B2DQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mexicangothicpaperdoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1036" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAt0_IC7PNk/Xvq1YM8bD1I/AAAAAAAAaK4/y19j631xeAMbhzRUR8cD5RobQ8rj6B2DQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/mexicangothicpaperdoll.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I never thought I'd add "paper doll designer" to my resume. Do you ladies remember paper dolls??? I used to play with them a lot as a kid! Ah, simpler times!<br />
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A few weeks ago Ashleigh Heaton, AD over at Del Rey Books, asked me to design a paper doll as a promo for <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/mexican-gothic/9780525620785">Silvia Moreno-Garcia's new book Mexican Gothic</a>. The book is a gothic horror set in Mexico during the 1950's, and the main character is a stylish socialite with all sorts of cool outfits.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZPRzw2QNjg/Xvq2kEq6XjI/AAAAAAAAaLE/O3-wK0tncmstxf6w_ESWlxZuEmemGB0bQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/41u9noS%252BpDL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="337" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZPRzw2QNjg/Xvq2kEq6XjI/AAAAAAAAaLE/O3-wK0tncmstxf6w_ESWlxZuEmemGB0bQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/41u9noS%252BpDL.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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A chance to draw a paper doll with historically accurate 1950's outfits? Um yes yes I will absolutely do that!! The AD described four outfits from the story that she wanted me to draw - a suit, a casual outfit, a nightgown and a ballgown - and the author supplied lots of helpful historical references, as well as a Pinterest board and a Spotify playlist! Wow!</div>
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First I drew the doll base. The character is described as looking like "a young Katy Jurado." I posed for the doll myself, wearing a retro-style swimsuit and some high heels. (But, for once, I will refrain from posting those reference photos on this blog.) Then I just upped the hourglass factor to get that 1950's pinup shape.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhgxfEJtgyY/Xvq6CAroBCI/AAAAAAAAaLs/r4KfT5Gu-tgdXjompZN4VpALqOFg1xMdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mcmorris_noemi_sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhgxfEJtgyY/Xvq6CAroBCI/AAAAAAAAaLs/r4KfT5Gu-tgdXjompZN4VpALqOFg1xMdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/mcmorris_noemi_sketch.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
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Once the base doll had approval, I started sketching the outfits. I looked up specific references for each piece, making sure that the photographs were from the early 1950's. I laid out the outfit sketches along with my references for the team to see.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ0h2wxPyVY/Xvq4WIEifoI/AAAAAAAAaLQ/yvNE4zWsdBkw0-_lM_gw4yubVisxNppnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ballgown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ0h2wxPyVY/Xvq4WIEifoI/AAAAAAAAaLQ/yvNE4zWsdBkw0-_lM_gw4yubVisxNppnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/ballgown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Everything was approved, so I finished up the rendering. Then I added some tabs and printed everything out on cardstock to see if it worked in real life.</div>
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I did have to tweak a few things to make them all line up correctly. Then I sent the doll to the AD. "Wow, she stands up!" she said.</div>
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Okay here's the cool part: <a href="http://www.randomhousebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Mexican-Gothic-Noemi-paper-doll.pdf">YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE PAPER DOLL FOR FREE</a>! Thank you to AD Ashleigh Heaton for the incredibly fun assignment. I absolutely loved doing this. And congratulations to Silvia Garcia-Moreno on the release of Mexican Gothic! I pre-ordered the audiobook and I'm excited to dive in. (Note: This is an adult horror novel and definitely not for kids!)</div>
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Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-12575250041820686872020-06-22T16:22:00.001-07:002020-06-22T16:22:36.360-07:00Quarantine Routine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YeYpbbSclMQ/XvE5JWB0lSI/AAAAAAAAZSQ/3fwcd3DpEHkhbuKr_JSQqCrHCTz4MawQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/quarantineroutine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="1220" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YeYpbbSclMQ/XvE5JWB0lSI/AAAAAAAAZSQ/3fwcd3DpEHkhbuKr_JSQqCrHCTz4MawQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/quarantineroutine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I haven't been blogging much for the past year, but it's not because I haven't been working. I had a baby last year, so...that kept me busy. Then in March, when my state dropped the shelter at home order I lost all my childcare, but not my illustration work. While I was thankful to have work when so many people didn't, having my childcare hours instantly double was a huge adjustment. With the general sense of impending doom coming from the newspaper headlines, I was incredibly stressed for the first month or two. (As we all were.)<br />
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In April I recorded <a href="https://youtu.be/B7xhDUlmguA">this YouTube video</a>. You wouldn't know from watching, but I was actually kind of depressed at the time. (As we all were in April.) Surprisingly, this video turned out pretty funny and I'm rather proud of it.<br />
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I heard some rumors about how the economic shutdown would surely spell doom for the publishing industry, and I was really worried about my work drying up for a while. While I did have one job canceled because of Covid-related budget cuts, I've still had new and exciting jobs coming in, including one for MacMillan and three for Penguin Random House! So while I can't speak for the publishing industry as a whole, from my view it seems like things are still chugging along.<br />
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I've been working on a series of cozy mystery covers for Annie's Publishing, for a series called <a href="https://www.anniesfiction.com/products/scottish-bakehouse-mysteries">Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries</a>. These are fun because I just never know what the publisher is going to ask for each time!<br />
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I also did some illustrations for the April issue of Clubhouse magazine, including the cover! Thanks to AD Jenny Dillon for the assignment.<br />
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Even though my state is reopening, my family has decided that we're going to keep isolated at home for now. We've adjusted to this new capsule lifestyle, for the most part. I only spend 2 to 3 hours a day drawing, and I miss drawing more. I remind myself that it's a chance to spend a lot of time with my kids while they're little and that illustration will still be there once this season passes.</div>
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If you're reading this blog, you must be a pretty loyal reader, so thank you. I appreciate the comments and emails that you send to me. There will be more posts in the future as the books I've been working on are released!</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-61775091117862630922020-06-08T10:09:00.000-07:002020-06-08T10:20:08.312-07:00Books on Diversity and Race for Little Ones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been difficult to know what to do. When to speak up, when to keep quiet so others can be heard. What can I say that hasn't already been said more eloquently by others?<br />
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I've been thinking about how I can be a good influence on my preschooler. How can I teach her about race in an age-appropriate way? Predictably, I decided to look to children's books for help. I want to bring more images of people of color into my home. While there are many <a href="https://www.booksaremagic.net/?q=h.tviewer&e_def_id=8SbvYrvKA4A">BLM-themed lists of books</a> <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/06/health/diverse-children-books-wellness/index.html">going around right now</a>, I noticed that they tend to lean towards books meant for older kids, heavy on history and biographies.<br />
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<b>So, here's my small contribution: a (definitely non-exhaustive!) list of picture books about diversity, race and acceptance for preschoolers and toddlers.</b> The links are all to a website called <a href="http://bookshop.org/">Bookshop.org</a>, a new online bookstore which supports indie bookstores. However, at this time, most of the books are backordered! I guess I'm not the only parent thinking along these lines. I'd encourage you to <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/">order from your local bookstore</a> if possible. You could also consider ordering from <a href="https://lithub.com/you-can-order-today-from-these-black-owned-independent-bookstores/">this list of Black-Owned Independent Bookstores</a>!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/the-day-you-begin/9780399246531">The Day You Begin</a> by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez</span></b></div>
"There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it."<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/say-hello-9780399252303/9780399252303">Say Hello!</a> By Rachel Isadora</span></b></div>
"Carmelita loves to greet everyone in her colorful neighborhood. Emphasizing the rich diversity of America's neighborhoods, this simple portrait of a child's day provides a great introduction to the joy of language."<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/he-s-got-the-whole-world-in-his-hands-9780803728509/9780803728509">He's Got the Whole World in His Hands</a> by Kadir Nelson</b></span><br />
"What began as a spiritual has developed into one of America's best-known songs, and now for the first time it appears as a picture book, masterfully created by award-winning artist Kadir Nelson.Through sublime landscapes and warm images of a boy and his family, Kadir has created a dazzling, intimate interpretation, one that rejoices in the connectedness of people and nature."</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/last-stop-on-market-street/9780399257742">Last Stop on Market Street</a> by Matt De La Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson</span></b></div>
"Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn't he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty--and fun--in their routine and the world around them."<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/maisie-s-scrapbook/9781911373575">Maisie's Scrapbook</a> by Samuel Narh and illustrated by Jo Loring-Fisher</b></span><br />
"Her Mama wears linen and plays the viola. Her Dada wears kente cloth and plays the marimba.They come from different places, but they hug her in the same way. And most of all, they love her just the same. A joyful celebration of a mixed-race family and the love that binds us all together."<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/all-are-welcome/9780525579649">All Are Welcome</a> by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman</span></b></div>
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"Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school."</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/b-is-for-baby/9781536201666">B is For Baby</a> by Atinuke and illustrated by Angela Brooksbank</span></b></div>
"One morning after breakfast, Baby's big brother is getting ready to take the basket of bananas all the way to Baba's bungalow in the next village. Little ones learning about language will love sounding out the words in this playful, vibrantly illustrated story set in West Africa."<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/you-matter-9781534421691/9781534421691">You Matter</a> by Christian Robinson</span></b></div>
"In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored--from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they're feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone matters."</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-7262755693029378872020-03-19T13:58:00.000-07:002020-03-21T09:03:37.801-07:00Video: How I Book Cover<div style="text-align: center;">
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Kate Messner invited me to contribute to <a href="https://www.katemessner.com/read-wonder-and-learn-favorite-authors-illustrators-share-resources-for-learning-anywhere-spring-2020/?">a library of educational videos for kids</a> whose schools have been suspended due to covid. This isn't a polished video, not by a long shot, but my editing program was crashing constantly and I told myself I needed to finish this by the of the day, so it's GOOD ENOUGH. Hope you guys like it, or, at least, find it mildly distracting from the chaos of our current reality.<br />
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Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-85561391028255850922020-02-05T08:18:00.000-08:002020-02-05T08:20:13.403-08:00Ranger in Time: Escape from the Twin Towers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I first heard that <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338537949">the next Ranger in Time book</a> was going to be set during September 11, I was surprised. <i>Really?</i> Why do kids want to read about September 11?<br />
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Then I realized: because it's <i>history</i> to them. They know of it, but they don't remember it.<br />
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But you remember it. And I remember it.<br />
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I was 15 years old.<br />
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<i>An excerpt from my journal</i></div>
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For months, I couldn't escape the tragic images on every magazine cover, every newspaper, every tv screen in every home and store. Everywhere, another photograph or video of thousands of people - mothers, fathers, children, grandparents - plummeting to their deaths. The planes crashing. The towers collapsing. The news played the clips over<br />
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and over<br />
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and over again.<br />
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Maybe it was particularly bad for me because the news was kept on all day at my house, and I was homeschooled. But then again, if it was scary for me, a California kid who previously hadn't even known what the World Trade Center was, I can't imagine how traumatizing it must have been for the children and teens of New York City.<br />
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I don't remember how long it took for the news to move on, but once it did, I avoided 9/11 media from then on, even into adulthood. I never wanted to see anything September 11-related ever again. Especially, <i>especially</i> the videos of the planes hitting the towers.<br />
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Until two years ago, when I learned that the next <i>Ranger in Time</i> would be set on September 11th, I knew my self-imposed 9/11 media fast was officially at an end. Instead of avoiding 9/11 media, now I was going to be <i>creating</i> it.<br />
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"Why would you do this to me, Kate Messner," I whispered at my email inbox.<br />
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I promised my art director, Stephanie Yang, that I would finish reading the manuscript before the end of the year. So, true to my word, on New Year's Eve I built a blanket nest on the couch, curled up in the middle and opened up the manuscript with a sigh.<br />
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There was a lot of crying.<br />
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I cried as I read the book. I cried as I looked at photographs. I cried as I watched <a href="https://www.amazon.com/11-Filmmakers-Commemorative-Tony-Benatatos/dp/B005LSX90O/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35PQ4K6CDPYK4&keywords=9%2F11+documentary+french+brothers&qid=1580918281&sprefix=9%2F11+docum%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1">the documentary 9/11</a>.<br />
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But once I had got all that out of my system, I found that I was able to concentrate on creating the best illustrations I could. Every day was another challenge: how do I draw a stairwell full of people and firefighters?<br />
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How do I depict the air quality immediately after the towers collapsed?<br />
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In every scene I did as much research as I could to make the scenes accurate to life, to pay attention to the small details in the manuscript, and to represent the great diversity of people who were affected by the attacks.<br />
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I was inspired by the text of the book, which I personally think is the best in the <i>Ranger in Time </i>series. Kate Messner did a stellar job of balancing historical accuracy with age-appropriateness. Despite my initial reluctance to read it, I found it totally riveting and read the whole manuscript in one sitting.<br />
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Younger generations will have what my generation didn't: a curated view of September 11. My generation watched the events unravel in real time, the adults around us as frightened and confused as we were. Now children have the guidance of adults with distance and hindsight - and I get to be one of those adults. We can give them a history that is real but not raw. Gentle, but still genuine. We can focus the spotlight on the heroes and the helpers - including the furry helpers.<br />
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To be a part of that is my privilege.<br />
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I don't think I'll make watching 9/11 documentaries on New Year's Eve a tradition, though. Maybe some donuts or something? Donuts and hot chocolate. What do you guys think, sound good?<br />
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<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338537949">Ranger in Time: Escape from the Twin Towers</a> is available now.Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-45306099827572840202019-12-27T21:36:00.000-08:002019-12-27T21:44:20.503-08:00Motherhood and Career, contHey, long time no see. Nice of you to stick around.<br />
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I've barely blogged at all this year, and I'm sorry. I'm still drawing, still working, but the thing is that I had another baby.<br />
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In my post from last year called <a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2018/12/motherhood-and-career.html">Motherhood and Career</a>, I said this:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>People ask me how I manage to “find a balance.” The answer is, I don’t so much “find a balance” as I do “manage to get through the day.”</i></span></blockquote>
If this was true for one kid, it's double true with double the kids. In my old post, I talked about how difficult it had been to adjust to becoming a mom, but how things had gotten better over time. I was able to look back at the dark valley and feel proud of myself for getting through it.<br />
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Well, I'm writing this blog post from another valley. It's been even harder, more stressful, more difficult, than the first one. And yet it's also less difficult because I've been through one before, and I know I can do it. One early morning at a time, one sleep regression at a time, one flu season and late-night deadline crunch at a time. Some days it's a struggle to even find the time and space to shower. Blogging has, to say the least, not been a priority, as much as I miss it.<br />
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I cling to the hope that, someday, I will look back on this period and feel proud of myself. That I will look back and see that this experience leveled me up in ways I couldn't perceive at the time.<br />
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If you're asking yourself, "why did you decide to have another kid, then, if it's so hard??" to you I say I DON'T KNOW. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME EITHER. I guess I must find it worth it, on some level? My kids are pretty cute. <a href="https://twitter.com/JassonMcMorris/status/1210641545411485696">One of them says funny things</a>. And the other one has these amazing little chubby baby legs. And don't get me started on her precious little hands omg I can't even!<br />
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I realize this blog post is mostly incoherent. That's my point: things have been rough. My brain is, like...I don't know. Like those ratty, stained kitchen rags my husband uses to wrap tofu in before he presses it to get the water out.<br />
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What was I saying? Woah, it's already 9:30 PM! My bedtime. I should wrap this up.<br />
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If you take anything away from this post, please let it be this: if you know an artist who is a parent of young kids, know that they created their art through a haze of sleep deprivation and exhaustion. Take a second to let them know that you see them. That you see their art.<br />
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And if you ARE an artist who is also a parent of young kids: I see you. I respect you. You're not alone.<br />
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Happy New Year.<br />
<br />Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-89139328229648362982019-09-16T07:00:00.000-07:002019-09-16T07:00:03.325-07:00American Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqh_miEVufM/XX7RBqAIzrI/AAAAAAAARPw/f7rzi3jceQMdmkH-nz2_EejfqaXldpFoQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190915_162155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1000" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqh_miEVufM/XX7RBqAIzrI/AAAAAAAARPw/f7rzi3jceQMdmkH-nz2_EejfqaXldpFoQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20190915_162155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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FINALLY I can show you guys the project that occupied most of my time last year - a series of books from American Girl!!<br />
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I loved the American Girl books when I was a kid, especially the beautiful and realistic illustrations. Here's me and my Felicity doll, which I bought with my own allowance money, birthday money, and money from extra chores. My Mom sewed us these matching dresses!<br />
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American Girl has been a "bucket list" client for me since I became an illustrator, so when I was offered the opportunity to work on some of their books last year, I was thrilled!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbmFHs1QHtc/XX7PdQuLAaI/AAAAAAAARPU/vi86iQgcL5I9r-dDGc3czB7NyzG3Yf-xACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190915_162232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbmFHs1QHtc/XX7PdQuLAaI/AAAAAAAARPU/vi86iQgcL5I9r-dDGc3czB7NyzG3Yf-xACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20190915_162232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was, by far, the most complicated and intense project I've ever worked on. The books contain a combination of photography (by <a href="https://www.chrishynesphoto.com/">Chris Hynes</a> and <a href="https://blakemorrow.ca/">Blake Morrow</a>) and illustration by me. I worked on six books, often simultaneously, collaborating with three different art directors. Not only did my drawings have to pass muster with American Girl's historical expert, but the faces and costumes also had to match the models in the photos, and sometimes the doll costumes and accessories as well. Major props to art directors Wendy Walsh, Jessica Rogers, and Riley Wilkinson for organizing what must have been a very complicated operation.<br />
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Deadlines were often tight, and working on so many books at once meant I had a lot to keep track of. On top of that, my toddler got sick a lot last year, so sometimes my only choice was to work at night, after she had gone to bed. I started making myself cups of coffee at 8:30 PM.<br />
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And then there was the time I caught the stomach flu the night before a big deadline. I finished the spread below in between rounds of running to the bathroom to hurl up my guts.<br />
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So yeah, it was quite the project, consisting of over 100 illustrations. Despite all the hard work, I'm very grateful that I was given the opportunity to illustrate for American Girl. Keeping my mouth shut about this for an entire year has been hard! I was so excited to receive my books in the mail this month! If you see the books at your local bookstore, <a href="https://twitter.com/kelleymcmorris">send me a pic on Twitter</a>, I'd love to see!</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-87502082029129916522019-08-01T11:05:00.003-07:002019-08-01T11:05:50.480-07:00In ImagineFX magazine!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About two months ago <a href="http://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2019/06/using-photo-references.html">I wrote a blog post about using photo references</a>, and it was shared around quite a bit on Twitter! Writer at ImagineFX, Tom May, contacted me and asked if he could use some of my photo reference examples for an article he was writing. Luckily I had two illustrations that I had the rights to and for which I still had the original photo references, so I sent them in along with some short quotes about using photo references professionally.<br />
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The article is in the September 2019 issue of ImagineFX, and you can order <a href="https://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/design/imaginefx-magazine-subscription/">print or digital versions here</a>. Thanks Tom May for featuring me!</div>
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Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-46486159220676442222019-07-15T08:00:00.000-07:002019-07-15T08:00:04.730-07:00A Year Without Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Earlier this year, Clubhouse magazine asked me to illustrate a historical article about the year 1816, also known as "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_Without_a_Summer">The Year Without A Summer</a>."</div>
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In 1815, a volcano eruption in Indonesia was so massive that it changed weather patterns all over the world. In the Northeastern United States, snow and frost occurred every month for a year, wrecking crops. This article was a short story about a family of Swedish-American farmers trying to survive the winter and keeping faith that the world wasn't just ending. (Which, I imagine, probably seemed like a reasonable hypothesis at the time.)</div>
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These illustrations were a lot of fun to do, especially the storm clouds in the first piece. I just received some copies of the issue in the mail. The print quality looks great!</div>
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I hope the readers of Clubhouse magazine enjoy the story. Thank you to AD Jenny Dillon for the assignment!</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-66259517704065894452019-06-20T09:33:00.001-07:002019-06-20T09:44:22.149-07:00The Wishner's Curse book cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgxzQnLxWqQ/XQhY08fyv2I/AAAAAAAAPq4/rTs79QpTRqsXsdNqH8QXJxEIV-M-cwsVwCLcBGAs/s1600/middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgxzQnLxWqQ/XQhY08fyv2I/AAAAAAAAPq4/rTs79QpTRqsXsdNqH8QXJxEIV-M-cwsVwCLcBGAs/s640/middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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I created this book cover for author Camille S. Campbell. When Camille contacted me earlier this year, she told me that she found me through the writing website <a href="https://storybird.com/">Storybird</a>. Storybird is mostly used by students (children and teens), and occasionally I'll get an email from a Storybird user along the lines of "hi my name is kara i love ur art!! can u please make a drawing for my story thank u." (I genuinely love Storybird users, they're very sweet, but...you can tell they're kids!)<br />
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Camille was different. She wrote emails like a business school graduate, and was willing to pay my professional rate.</div>
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Imagine my surprise when I found out that she was<i> 14 years old! </i>Clearly I was working with a prodigy, and she deserved nothing less than my best work.</div>
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My process for working with self-published authors is pretty similar for working with publishing companies. I'll do a little more explaining about my process, so the author knows what to expect and what I expect from them in return. (I often refer them to this blog, which is handy because then they can see step-by-step examples.)<br />
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Camille's book, <i>The Wishner's Curse,</i> is an Egyptian-based middle-grade fantasy novel. She described what she wanted to see on her cover: the two main characters looking like "a mystery-solving team," with the villain holding a sapphire amulet behind them, and a cave studded with "glimmering gems of many colors and golden dust." Here are the sketches I sent to her.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKZ6gjBtVl4/XQsKtwWVl-I/AAAAAAAAPrE/LlD5Q9JJrIgHLPcqVohu42DeB-LqXCOLwCLcBGAs/s1600/wishner_roughs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKZ6gjBtVl4/XQsKtwWVl-I/AAAAAAAAPrE/LlD5Q9JJrIgHLPcqVohu42DeB-LqXCOLwCLcBGAs/s640/wishner_roughs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Camille asked me to combine two of the sketches, and to make some changes to the appearances of the main characters. Also, more sparkles!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_a4pG-J_zEo/XQuz0FSUWRI/AAAAAAAAPrY/AflPx3caZ6wmkjElUlb72y6wCGyvQvRuACLcBGAs/s1600/rough04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_a4pG-J_zEo/XQuz0FSUWRI/AAAAAAAAPrY/AflPx3caZ6wmkjElUlb72y6wCGyvQvRuACLcBGAs/s400/rough04.jpg" width="253" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5AM8sRloKX0/XQuz6a6F8JI/AAAAAAAAPrc/cQvdXq9KRxgUyLEo_5Dqk_DE-PkyK5CQwCLcBGAs/s1600/color_rough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5AM8sRloKX0/XQuz6a6F8JI/AAAAAAAAPrc/cQvdXq9KRxgUyLEo_5Dqk_DE-PkyK5CQwCLcBGAs/s400/color_rough.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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From there I was cleared to go to final.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWbY9BoVU_A/XQu0ateGs5I/AAAAAAAAPrs/yV2LvP90hrgv7AhGkM30v0ZFfrtUH1GmACLcBGAs/s1600/closeup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="800" height="468" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWbY9BoVU_A/XQu0ateGs5I/AAAAAAAAPrs/yV2LvP90hrgv7AhGkM30v0ZFfrtUH1GmACLcBGAs/s640/closeup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-za2wfrIK7M8/XQu0rRo7G-I/AAAAAAAAPr4/NTDYdTmxXYQIjGwKTwgM7CvxzfsDylXwgCLcBGAs/s1600/closeup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="800" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-za2wfrIK7M8/XQu0rRo7G-I/AAAAAAAAPr4/NTDYdTmxXYQIjGwKTwgM7CvxzfsDylXwgCLcBGAs/s640/closeup3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRjd6WcEKJk/XQu0aSpFweI/AAAAAAAAPro/uQtUEXVlHXsoG1WRZLMi5JdUKZlRO4SDgCLcBGAs/s1600/closeup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="597" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRjd6WcEKJk/XQu0aSpFweI/AAAAAAAAPro/uQtUEXVlHXsoG1WRZLMi5JdUKZlRO4SDgCLcBGAs/s1600/closeup2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgxzQnLxWqQ/XQhY08fyv2I/AAAAAAAAPq4/rTs79QpTRqsXsdNqH8QXJxEIV-M-cwsVwCLcBGAs/s1600/middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgxzQnLxWqQ/XQhY08fyv2I/AAAAAAAAPq4/rTs79QpTRqsXsdNqH8QXJxEIV-M-cwsVwCLcBGAs/s640/middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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Camille described the illustration as "everything I ever dreamed it could be," which was a relief! I really didn't want to disappoint!<br />
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This was my first time designing an entire book cover, not just the illustration. Camille and I worked together on font choice and word placement, and I also painted a little landscape for the back cover.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btz50WwGeks/XQu04YRWG4I/AAAAAAAAPr8/xw5jkGU-GW0pUVQ54eWfnzThyY_TDqy6wCLcBGAs/s1600/the_wishners_curse_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="968" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btz50WwGeks/XQu04YRWG4I/AAAAAAAAPr8/xw5jkGU-GW0pUVQ54eWfnzThyY_TDqy6wCLcBGAs/s640/the_wishners_curse_cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtZTZFwA4Kc/XQu0-lJzgJI/AAAAAAAAPsE/FK2sZPMpGJ8jtUm4sdCBFa_swFyMceW-wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190620_074657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1000" height="462" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtZTZFwA4Kc/XQu0-lJzgJI/AAAAAAAAPsE/FK2sZPMpGJ8jtUm4sdCBFa_swFyMceW-wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190620_074657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I asked for a signed copy and Camille delivered! I'm proud to add this to my bookshelf.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_o8xBkvv2E/XQu1Ez1X3bI/AAAAAAAAPsI/AZObCE4EDcI0Zmup8wKJdNhhG68CgCRXgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190620_074752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_o8xBkvv2E/XQu1Ez1X3bI/AAAAAAAAPsI/AZObCE4EDcI0Zmup8wKJdNhhG68CgCRXgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_20190620_074752.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can buy a copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wishners-Curse-Wishner-Prophecy/dp/1733867228">The Wishner's Curse</a> at Amazon and <a href="https://valsec.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wishners-curse-camille-s-campbell/1131288442">Barnes & Noble</a>.<br />
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Thank you Camille for the opportunity to work on such a fun cover. Remember me when you're a famous author!</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-83560495266427387902019-06-04T11:11:00.001-07:002019-06-04T11:36:02.599-07:00Using Photo References<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNU23g_eAoE/XPayXoXyIfI/AAAAAAAAPnI/_KInWYHAhEMIqnOH7oXjA2EsBZNgGrbKACLcBGAs/s1600/mcmorris_final4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1200" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNU23g_eAoE/XPayXoXyIfI/AAAAAAAAPnI/_KInWYHAhEMIqnOH7oXjA2EsBZNgGrbKACLcBGAs/s640/mcmorris_final4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Recently an "artist confessions" meme went around Twitter, where artists confessed to various things such as not keeping a sketchbook or not understanding perspective. I noticed that a few people "confessed" to <i>using photo references</i>.</div>
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Guys.</div>
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You guys.</div>
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If your style is the least bit realistic, then photo references <i>are your friend</i>. I use them all the time, for almost everything.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs5waNJTFV4/XO9ZVLThC2I/AAAAAAAAPlg/aZrz2RDATt07zLqZQzimRd_WEoppR1gqACLcBGAs/s1600/feb19_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs5waNJTFV4/XO9ZVLThC2I/AAAAAAAAPlg/aZrz2RDATt07zLqZQzimRd_WEoppR1gqACLcBGAs/s640/feb19_final.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SeGdLeZm4E/XO9ZZfc7EdI/AAAAAAAAPlk/tGKLoTEzgtsq3EXO-qxaPauqui7ft1LegCLcBGAs/s1600/refs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SeGdLeZm4E/XO9ZZfc7EdI/AAAAAAAAPlk/tGKLoTEzgtsq3EXO-qxaPauqui7ft1LegCLcBGAs/s640/refs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Lifeway's <i>Explore the Bible </i>series</div>
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I think it all comes from this idea that artists are supposed to be just magically good at drawing everything. If you believe this, then learning that artists actually use tools to make our jobs easier <i>can,</i> at first, seem like cheating. Then, hopefully, you get over it. Especially once you're the one trying to draw a crowd scene under a deadline.</div>
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No one, even someone with a photographic memory, magically knows how to draw every single thing in the world. Using photo reference can help you learn to draw things outside what you can easily remember or imagine - or as art professors like to say, "expand your visual vocabulary."</div>
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Here's a collection of some of the photo references I've taken over the years, next to the finished drawings. Enjoy.</div>
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(Special shout-out to my husband who has put up with some very strange requests for poses over the years.)</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84IDRQIxd6A/XPavZnjjt7I/AAAAAAAAPmI/iF6ijpOjx9MmWHgAF_GAzn4VpZ08UIZ9QCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1121" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84IDRQIxd6A/XPavZnjjt7I/AAAAAAAAPmI/iF6ijpOjx9MmWHgAF_GAzn4VpZ08UIZ9QCLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Scholastic' <i>Ranger in Time</i> series</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cS5PB5UI_Q/XPavZbuoR2I/AAAAAAAAPmE/kvHvY5YCMOoeSIAKpvHy811Get78_q6kgCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="981" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cS5PB5UI_Q/XPavZbuoR2I/AAAAAAAAPmE/kvHvY5YCMOoeSIAKpvHy811Get78_q6kgCLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cover for the book <a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2018/03/book-cover-third-kind-of-magic.html">The Third Kind of Magic </a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCKmZjCkRYQ/XPavZgaajHI/AAAAAAAAPmM/U4qjK38Do28F3igTkBoGzG8rpHGOSf9FACLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCKmZjCkRYQ/XPavZgaajHI/AAAAAAAAPmM/U4qjK38Do28F3igTkBoGzG8rpHGOSf9FACLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Scholastic's <i>Real Stories From My Time: The Underground Railroad</i> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G915RvRTXqA/XPavaXcCJQI/AAAAAAAAPmQ/KwbFObsLpHYFD-ck7mFXjjAND21UePKiwCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G915RvRTXqA/XPavaXcCJQI/AAAAAAAAPmQ/KwbFObsLpHYFD-ck7mFXjjAND21UePKiwCLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Scholastic's <i>Real Stories From My Time: Titanic</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOf2O6LQTik/XPavajQfPnI/AAAAAAAAPmU/AKiE1HiENzA9b8SN-7ME0RP22qg-9iRLACLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOf2O6LQTik/XPavajQfPnI/AAAAAAAAPmU/AKiE1HiENzA9b8SN-7ME0RP22qg-9iRLACLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Scholastic's <i>Real Stories From My Time: The Underground Railroad</i> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVoKZ-VPtHk/XPava8AfyDI/AAAAAAAAPmY/iORVrl9bMJYLiYXHnqguwfBZgMO8987AQCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1167" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVoKZ-VPtHk/XPava8AfyDI/AAAAAAAAPmY/iORVrl9bMJYLiYXHnqguwfBZgMO8987AQCLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2016/03/mistborn.html">Personal work, inspired by the <i>Mistborn</i> series </a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-569joDmVhiY/XPavbdad7JI/AAAAAAAAPmc/fo3c_V60DX4wQfVSIjI6QJHY2IA9JIKkgCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1200" height="468" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-569joDmVhiY/XPavbdad7JI/AAAAAAAAPmc/fo3c_V60DX4wQfVSIjI6QJHY2IA9JIKkgCLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Scholastic's <i>Ranger in Time</i> series </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81vjJTwbt1A/XPavcVVU6TI/AAAAAAAAPmg/uYT0mpC-b0ItLj177kY8c73WDS6bhmrEQCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81vjJTwbt1A/XPavcVVU6TI/AAAAAAAAPmg/uYT0mpC-b0ItLj177kY8c73WDS6bhmrEQCLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For William Sadlier's curriculum </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XD-4lgs-0SI/XPavp6NFhyI/AAAAAAAAPmk/4Zby_v8OXlUg1taXdvcSQBTNWy84gIqnACLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1405" height="470" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XD-4lgs-0SI/XPavp6NFhyI/AAAAAAAAPmk/4Zby_v8OXlUg1taXdvcSQBTNWy84gIqnACLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Scholastic's <i>Ranger in Time</i> series</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_IFmKccoCCA/XPaxt49QOHI/AAAAAAAAPnA/BB_FrWIa2I4MxZtM_xT3ynjxM1IgDszfwCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1000" height="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_IFmKccoCCA/XPaxt49QOHI/AAAAAAAAPnA/BB_FrWIa2I4MxZtM_xT3ynjxM1IgDszfwCLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the cover of <a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-cover-second-guard.html">The Second Guard</a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FOQ7GleTxs/XPa5-ePmN4I/AAAAAAAAPnU/MWizL0QJwP8X8Ph5AW2heloaS1v4KgOeACLcBGAs/s1600/photo_reference_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1500" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FOQ7GleTxs/XPa5-ePmN4I/AAAAAAAAPnU/MWizL0QJwP8X8Ph5AW2heloaS1v4KgOeACLcBGAs/s640/photo_reference_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Scholastic's <i>Real Stories From My Time: The Boston Tea Party</i></div>
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As I've said before - I'm a lazy photo taker and I don't tend to put a lot of effort into my costumes or fancy lighting. This is partially out of aforementioned laziness and partially because my deadlines tend to be pretty tight. But there are also <a href="http://www.muddycolors.com/2014/01/artist-selfies-everybodys-doing-it/">professional artists who hire models, find costumes, and invest in nice lighting setups</a>. Of course, not everyone has the time, budget, or space for that.</div>
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My advice would be to make use of what you have - use a bedsheet as a cape, or a broom as an oar. Get creative. Learn to love working with photo references, and you'll see an immediate improvement in the quality of your drawings.</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-55681444680381436962019-02-27T08:00:00.000-08:002019-03-10T17:15:01.806-07:004 Portfolio Types<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLWcpIYnmAo/XHYg1J7YPZI/AAAAAAAAPOg/GtU04nMd0ion6Br-5-JP9wjSPiaUg_8KgCLcBGAs/s1600/typesofportfolios.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1186" height="356" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLWcpIYnmAo/XHYg1J7YPZI/AAAAAAAAPOg/GtU04nMd0ion6Br-5-JP9wjSPiaUg_8KgCLcBGAs/s640/typesofportfolios.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I look at the portfolios of aspiring artists online, I notice that they tend to fall into four different categories:</div>
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<li>the Beginners</li>
<li>the Students</li>
<li>the Nearly Pros</li>
<li>the Professionals</li>
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I've going to talk about the common characteristics of each portfolio type, and I'm going to show examples of each. I'm using my own art as an example because, well, I can't exactly post someone else's art as an example of a "beginner" or "nearly pro," can I? So I had a lot of fun digging back through the drawings I did in art school and even way back into high school! (Hope you enjoy LOTR fanart!)<br />
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Keep in mind that I speak from the experience of a book/editorial illustrator. Other career paths, especially studio jobs such as animation/concept art, have slightly different expectations for portfolios.<br />
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So let's talk portfolios!</div>
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The Beginner</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Characteristics:</b></span><br />
<b>A bit of this and that.</b> You have an eclectic assortment of sketches and mediums, usually with a big dose of fanart and/or anime, maybe a few portraits of family and friends. Or, maybe you only have a few drawings, and they're all almost the same. Either way, you may have some skills but overall your work shows a lack of fundamentals: composition, anatomy, perspective, shading, color theory. Everything is generally rough and unfinished, and sometimes collected on random scraps of paper from notebooks and sketchbooks.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My advice:</span></b><br />
<b>Study the fundamentals. </b>Your portfolio isn't bad: it's just a beginner's portfolio. At this point, there's not much I can critique or review, because my advice would always be the same: study the fundamentals. Sign up for some beginning art classes like figure drawing, chiaroscuro, color theory, etc, and draw as much as you can. I realize that sounds like shallow advice, but the <i>only way</i> past this stage is through instruction and practice, and that's the same for everybody.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Further reading for you: </b></span><a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-to-start-drawing-2-dos-and-2-donts.html">How to Start Drawing: 2 Do's and Don'ts</a><br />
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The Student</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Characteristics:</span></b><br />
<b>A good grasp of the fundamentals, but not a voice or a focus.</b> Your drawings are clearly homework assignments, such as master studies, still lifes, portraits and figure drawings. Influenced by the tastes and requirements of different teachers, your drawings may vary radically in style. Besides homework, you may also have a mixture of fanart, logo designs, t-shirt designs, tattoo designs, or portraits of friends and family.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My advice:</b></span><br />
<b>Focus and declutter.</b> Clearly you've got some solid drawing skills, but generally those aren't enough to land you a job. Eventually you want to start transitioning from "student" to "professional," and that usually involves doing a lot of work outside of school. Invest time into researching different illustration industries, and consuming large amounts of published art from those industries. Start creating art that fits in with that industry's style. Once you've finished your fundamental classes, try to find classes that teach more specialized skills that are aimed at specific industries.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Further Reading for You:</b></span><br />
<a href="http://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2016/05/types-of-illustration-careers.html">Types of Illustration Careers</a><br />
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/baba-yagas-22491843">Wylie Beckert's "Creating a Targeted Portfolio Sample"</a><br />
<a href="http://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2016/04/options-for-online-art-classes.html">Options for Online Art Classes</a><br />
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The Nearly Pro</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Characteristic features:</span></b><br />
<b>Promising, but an inconsistent level of skill and style.</b> Some of your work shows the beginnings of an artistic voice and a good level of polish, but other drawings (usually older works) are less strong. Some of your pieces are clearly derivative of popular artists. You have lots of characters posing in front of simple backgrounds, or head-and-shoulders portraits of pretty ladies. You have a few anatomy problems here and there; maybe you avoid drawing hands, feet, or perspective.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My advice:</span></b><br />
<b>Keep going!</b> You have some promising work in your portfolio, you just need more of it. Identify your strongest pieces, create more art in that direction, and start replacing the older stuff in your portfolio. Sheer quantity of practice will help you solidify your style and workflow, and will take you over that line into the realm of professionalism. Meanwhile, try to diversify your influences. Don't copy the style of any one or two of your favorite artists; look at many, many different artists and see what you can glean from all of them. Get personalized portfolio reviews, consider finding a mentor, and (like the student above) take classes that teach specialized skills that are aimed at the industry you want to get into.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Further Reading for You:</b></span><br />
<a href="http://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2015/05/tips-for-staying-motivated-after.html">Tips for Staying Motivated</a><br />
<a href="http://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2016/04/options-for-online-art-classes.html">Options for Online Art Classes</a><br />
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The Professional</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Characteristic features:</b></span><br />
<b>A cohesive style and consistent quality. </b>Whether the art is client work, personal work, homework or fanart, it's all fresh and creative and drawn in your unique style. A variety of subject matters, perspectives, and compositions showcase your range of skills. If multiple mediums are used, they all show the same level of quality. You've presented everything cleanly, both in physical and digital format.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My advice:</b></span><br />
<b>Focus on networking and marketing.</b> If your portfolio is at this level, then you probably don't need my advice. But if, by chance, you're not getting decent work, then you need to focus your efforts on marketing and networking. You're creating good art, now you need to get it in front of the right people. Who "the right people" are depends on your career goals, so that's something you'll have to research on your own. If your art is this good then once you start investing time into marketing yourself, it's probably not going to take long before you get a break.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Further Reading for You:</b></span><br />
<a href="http://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2018/01/escape-cheapskate-clients-break-into.html">Escape Cheapskate Clients and Break Into Professional Illustration</a><br />
<a href="https://www.makeyourartwork.com/">Make Your Art Work</a><br />
<a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2018/10/does-online-popularity-matter.html">Does Online Popularity Matter?</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>F.A.Q.s</b></span></div>
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(That nobody actually asked me but we can pretend)</div>
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<b>So you're saying that my portfolio should look more like yours?</b><br />
Not mine specifically, no. As you can see in the images in this post, over time my art became more complex, more realistic, and more colorful. But that's not everyone's path - some people's artwork may develop in a direction that's darker, more muted, more stylized or abstract. The point isn't for your art to look like mine; the point is that, however you draw, you need to develop<i> consistency</i>, in both skill and style.<br />
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<b>How do I know what my style is?</b><br />
Your drawing style is similar to a personality. During your adolescent years you probably tried on various personalities before time and life experience sculpted the personality you have now. Similarly, your drawing style is already a part of you, and only through time spent drawing will it solidify into something recognizable. (And both personalities and drawing styles will continue to change over time.) Experiment, keep drawing and have fun. Eventually you will find something that feels "right," that (to borrow a phrase) "sparks joy."<br />
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<b>What if I want to work in multiple styles?</b><br />
Definitely possible, but hard to pull off. You'll have to avoid the "jack of all trades, master of none" look. Your portfolio will need to show that you're able to work consistently in different styles - which means that you'll need <i>multiple samples of each style, and they all need to be good</i>. A tall order; but if you can do it, you'll be attractive to a wide range of clients.<br />
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<b>What if I never went to art school? Do I skip the "student" portfolio?</b><br />
The point of the "student" portfolio type is that it's mainly composed of art that imitates other people's styles. A student imitates their teachers. If you've never been a student, you're probably imitating artists you admire; they're kind of your informal teachers. This isn't bad, but it is something that you need to grow out of eventually.<br />
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<b>What's your problem with fanart?</b><br />
Often, when people draw fanart, they're exactly copying the style of the pop culture IP, or they're copying a photo of an actor/actress. This is fine if you just want to have fun, but that stuff doesn't do much for your portfolio. Most companies want to see something fresh and creative, not yet another Harley Quinn/BB-8/Deadpool/whatever character is popular now. If you want to do fanart, think about how you can put your own unique visual spin on it. (One big exception is if you're interested in licensing as a career. That means you would specialize in copying the styles of other IPs; for example, if Disney hired you to draw a <i>Frozen</i> coloring book.) <a href="https://twitter.com/shoomlah/status/925772571810729984">Claire Hummel has a GREAT Twitter thread</a> where she explains this better than I can.<br />
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<b>Can I ask you for a portfolio review?</b><br />
If your goal is to get into publishing, whether children's books or otherwise, then yeah you can email me. If you want to do something else, such as comics, animation, concept art, etc., then you would be better off asking a professional who works in those fields.<br />
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I hope you guys found that helpful! If you feel like your portfolio matches one of the beginner, student, or nearly pro types, don't let that get you down. <i>Everyone's portfolio goes through all four stages.</i> No one is born clutching a fully-formed professional illustration portfolio in their tiny baby hands.<br />
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<b>If you're not where you want to be: <i>keep going</i>.</b>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-51783969277759836892019-02-19T07:30:00.000-08:002019-02-19T07:30:11.817-08:00Memories of Stockholm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When my daughter was 8 months old, my husband and I took her on a trip to Stockholm, armed with nothing but the phrase <i>jag älskar köttbullar</i>.<br />
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It was partially a work trip for my husband, and partially just for fun. Every day I would stick my daughter in a carrier on my back, hop on the subway and explore the streets of Stockholm. My husband usually worked during the morning and joined us in the afternoon. My favorite area was Gamla Stan, the impossibly charming "old town," where the cobblestone streets were narrow and winding and lined with colorful little shops. The first time we went there, I felt like I had stepped into a fairy tale.</div>
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Even though traveling with a teething baby (~*~*<i>a teething baby*~*~</i>) and also trying to work from my laptop was a challenge, our time in Sweden will always be a special memory to me. Exploring the city with a baby on my back, eating cinnamon rolls every day, overhearing Japanese tourists talk about my daughter's white-blonde hair.</div>
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Last year I had the idea of creating a drawing of our trip for my daughter's nursery. It took several months until I had some free time to get started. The was my initial thumbnail.</div>
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I wanted to experiment with a new, simpler style than my usual work. I was inspired by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Pirate-Elspeth-Graham-author/dp/0857638904/ref=sr_1_2?">some picture</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Witch-Thief-Bears/dp/1406365130/ref=sr_1_5?i">books illustrated</a> by <a href="http://www.pickledink.com/jez-tuya.html">Jez Tuya</a> that he had been kind enough to send me for Christmas. (And which my daughter requested that I read over, and over, and over again.) I also looked to the art of <a href="https://cargocollective.com/maikeplenzke">Maike Plenzke</a> and <a href="http://www.takakofisher.com/">Takako Fisher</a> for inspiration.</div>
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The buildings in Sweden are often these warm gold, orange and salmon colors.</div>
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(<a href="https://pixabay.com/en/gamla-stan-old-town-city-beautiful-2190333/">image source</a>)</div>
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So I knew that I wanted my color scheme to be based around warm golds and pinks as well, with touches of green and black. I cleaned up the sketch a bit, then starting blocking in color.<br />
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I added little details for my daughter to notice.</div>
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Pf course I had to include a bakery! During the course of our trip I was probably a one-woman boost to the Swedish cinnamon roll economy.</div>
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I'm really happy with how it turned out!<br />
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I had the image printed at a 16x20" size at <a href="https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/kmcmorris/">INPRNT</a>, and it turned out very nicely. I ordered a custom frame and mat from <a href="http://pictureframes.com/">pictureframes.com</a>. The frame and mat look fine but the acrylic covering is scratched up and looks pretty bad; I've contacted them about it to get a replacement.</div>
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Looking at it in the space, I regret not printing it at a larger size. It would have had more presence on the wall. Oh well. 16x20" just sounded so big in my head!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2KHfQAzfP64/XGjl8IRirJI/AAAAAAAAPJo/af8ok9UlqYsWE_MX-J6UU76rjxOWeWLzgCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled_Panorama1_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" height="448" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2KHfQAzfP64/XGjl8IRirJI/AAAAAAAAPJo/af8ok9UlqYsWE_MX-J6UU76rjxOWeWLzgCLcBGAs/s640/Untitled_Panorama1_sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rVPuaq5j_MU/XGsZk7rqoBI/AAAAAAAAPKI/rKAsGesQQ9wve1pNb37ybHKZtXWe3FHagCLcBGAs/s1600/20190217_124753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="900" height="430" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rVPuaq5j_MU/XGsZk7rqoBI/AAAAAAAAPKI/rKAsGesQQ9wve1pNb37ybHKZtXWe3FHagCLcBGAs/s640/20190217_124753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I finished hanging up the frame on the wall, I stepped back and my daughter cooed, "Woooooow! Vey peh-ee!"<br />
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Possibly the best feedback I've ever gotten from a client!</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-37117300731391017892019-02-12T09:04:00.000-08:002019-02-12T09:04:02.371-08:00Ranger in Time: Disaster on the Titanic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiNo_WtQvf0/XFjdi481vWI/AAAAAAAAPFo/wmQaRavT86UWca5S8R1XT1b0CIjmOpCoQCLcBGAs/s1600/ranger_in_time_titanic_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1102" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiNo_WtQvf0/XFjdi481vWI/AAAAAAAAPFo/wmQaRavT86UWca5S8R1XT1b0CIjmOpCoQCLcBGAs/s640/ranger_in_time_titanic_cover.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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Ranger in Time #9: Disaster on the Titanic released on January 29!</div>
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This was one of the most research-heavy books I've done so far, because of the massive amount of resources available about the Titanic. There are so many photographs, illustrations, and of course film adaptations! It was a lot of opportunity for me to get little details right - or wrong! </div>
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I drew a total of 15 interiors for the book, but I'm going to focus on just one that shows how I construct some of these scenes. For in the illustration chapter 7, Ranger was going to be swimming through the half-submerged mail room of the Titanic, while Patrick stood on some stairs behind him.<br />
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Some websites claimed that this is a photo of the Titanic mail room, but I wasn't able to verify that from any reliable sources.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv_pYIUbTm0/XGJQ5c9P8KI/AAAAAAAAPG4/uA0TYEfOhIcIVyw-b2_lgmPZguHVhrOogCLcBGAs/s1600/mailroom-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="500" height="209" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv_pYIUbTm0/XGJQ5c9P8KI/AAAAAAAAPG4/uA0TYEfOhIcIVyw-b2_lgmPZguHVhrOogCLcBGAs/s320/mailroom-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, I did my best to construct a rough 3D model of the scene in Google Sketchup, complete with dog and boy stand-ins:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uKa6V63mTdI/XGJQpjTBiTI/AAAAAAAAPG0/kxP_yLcMw9gBC8Omuvh5D36Nv_f3zjZxgCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uKa6V63mTdI/XGJQpjTBiTI/AAAAAAAAPG0/kxP_yLcMw9gBC8Omuvh5D36Nv_f3zjZxgCLcBGAs/s640/Untitled-1.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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Next, I posed on some stairs in order to get Patrick's pose right:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a51sNIeYQSc/XGJRWOfikcI/AAAAAAAAPHE/2JKwyrPufBwEhUelLfIBG2Bogv7hJRtkwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180430_150746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a51sNIeYQSc/XGJRWOfikcI/AAAAAAAAPHE/2JKwyrPufBwEhUelLfIBG2Bogv7hJRtkwCLcBGAs/s640/20180430_150746.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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Next, I looked at some stills from the movie <i>Titanic</i> which took place in half-flooded rooms. This helped give me an idea of what the water reflections would have looked like in these conditions.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8nhzVbdoZKo/XGJRn5tc37I/AAAAAAAAPHM/SJYicwO0--4vtxbqlBaa4oUd4zj5z8UHACLcBGAs/s1600/proxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8nhzVbdoZKo/XGJRn5tc37I/AAAAAAAAPHM/SJYicwO0--4vtxbqlBaa4oUd4zj5z8UHACLcBGAs/s640/proxy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>neeeeeeeear, faaaaaaar, whereeeeeeever you aaaare</i></div>
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Then I sketched the scene:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1YLMSACia0/XGJRymsNWrI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/EU5YEKPSHbkYYMO8thRN1XW3P-wxROvGACLcBGAs/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1YLMSACia0/XGJRymsNWrI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/EU5YEKPSHbkYYMO8thRN1XW3P-wxROvGACLcBGAs/s640/7.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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This was approved to go to final without any revisions.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71ZlxFZQgwI/XGJSUNQzCGI/AAAAAAAAPHc/pzevaYjJEb0BTmebvXbgowbhqJ8iVtMYgCLcBGAs/s1600/titanic_book_illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71ZlxFZQgwI/XGJSUNQzCGI/AAAAAAAAPHc/pzevaYjJEb0BTmebvXbgowbhqJ8iVtMYgCLcBGAs/s640/titanic_book_illustration.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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That's how I'm able to construct historically accurate scenes. It's a matter of doing as much research as I can on the elements that make up a scene, using whatever resources I can collect (such as 3D models and my own photo references) to stand in for those elements, and then using my imagination to make them all work together.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hax75E0Z1s/XGJT3aIEMSI/AAAAAAAAPHo/iC47Kb_hWOYmHwuBoiPoD2in94Nj0ulJgCLcBGAs/s1600/process.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1428" height="304" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hax75E0Z1s/XGJT3aIEMSI/AAAAAAAAPHo/iC47Kb_hWOYmHwuBoiPoD2in94Nj0ulJgCLcBGAs/s640/process.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Luckily there are a lot of detailed models of the Titanic available on Google Sketchup, and I relied on them for the wide shots like this one:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-da0uYG1mcdY/XGJVhDXviJI/AAAAAAAAPH0/tdscINqR-eYKPXZ8ETIhFGbYIEXjoAnowCLcBGAs/s1600/titanic_illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-da0uYG1mcdY/XGJVhDXviJI/AAAAAAAAPH0/tdscINqR-eYKPXZ8ETIhFGbYIEXjoAnowCLcBGAs/s640/titanic_illustration.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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If you enjoy reading about the Titanic, pick up a copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Disaster-Titanic-Ranger-Time-9/dp/1338133985">RANGER IN TIME: DISASTER ON THE TITANIC</a>. It's detailed and historically accurate while also being genuinely heartbreaking. I especially appreciated Kate Messner's focus on the third-class passengers rather than the rich and glamorous first-class ones.<br />
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Also, give this cover of <a href="https://youtu.be/oyiWQ3l66Nk">"My Heart Will Go On" by Postmodern Jukebox</a> a try. I listened to it many times while working on the illustrations for this book, and it cheered me up when the research got too sad.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oyiWQ3l66Nk" width="560"></iframe>
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Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-68438467441814043592019-02-04T07:30:00.000-08:002019-02-04T07:30:01.352-08:00Death at Glenville Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev1dFWIY_uo/WYxdb7uwFiI/AAAAAAAANeQ/snXUuwUdrKUIrpxnajDvlF4mgCtKWwHugCLcBGAs/s1600/carol_wright_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev1dFWIY_uo/WYxdb7uwFiI/AAAAAAAANeQ/snXUuwUdrKUIrpxnajDvlF4mgCtKWwHugCLcBGAs/s640/carol_wright_book_cover.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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I was commissioned by author <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/carollwright/">Carol L. Wright</a> to illustrate a cover for her cozy mystery novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Death-Glenville-Falls-McIntyre-Mysteries/dp/0974289132">DEATH AT GLENVILLE FALLS</a>. Her story was set in a small New England town, where the protagonist runs a cute used bookstore. The client sent me a very detailed brief. Some of the specific elements she requested were:</div>
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<li>Interior of Gracie's Garret bookshop looking from the middle of shop toward the bay window and door. </li>
<li>a few books strewn on the floor; some have pages torn or cut out, also strewn on the floor.</li>
<li>a knife stabbing one of the opened books</li>
<li>at least one overturned chair (or part of a chair). It could have a broken leg.</li>
<li>a yellow tabby cat somewhere in the store</li>
<li>enough of a view of the exterior through the window to get a sense of the small town atmosphere</li>
<li>If possible, it would be nice if we could see the sign for the bookshop through the window. (Gracie's Garret/New & Used Books)</li>
<li>Door to the store should have a shop bell above it that rings when the door opens. </li>
<li>Perhaps an open/closed sign on the door</li>
<li>A pressed tin ceiling</li>
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Here are the three roughs I sent her:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHHYQvhLbxA/WYymbO17LEI/AAAAAAAANeg/Kff_GFhN2r8rwiKWRE_k_hVs8fyvwIvPwCLcBGAs/s1600/roughs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="819" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHHYQvhLbxA/WYymbO17LEI/AAAAAAAANeg/Kff_GFhN2r8rwiKWRE_k_hVs8fyvwIvPwCLcBGAs/s640/roughs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The client decided that #3 was the closest to the bookstore she imagined in the story. However, it needed to adhere more closely to the layout she originally described. At one point in the story, the cash register falls on the floor, preventing the door from being opened. So it was important that the room be arranged correctly.</div>
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The client and I went back and forth on the layout of the shelves, doors and window. I'm a little embarrassed by how long it took me to get what she was asking for! I'm just not good with verbal descriptions of places; like, if someone tries to tell me driving directions, if there's more than 2 steps it just goes in one ear and out the other. Here's one of my attempts at getting the bookstore layout, but this one wasn't quite right either.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6cyiKzYMAM/WYyotb3kokI/AAAAAAAANew/i7JQI50uaCshsD8dGQDyJeEMhqmbxKhiACLcBGAs/s1600/rough_revised.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6cyiKzYMAM/WYyotb3kokI/AAAAAAAANew/i7JQI50uaCshsD8dGQDyJeEMhqmbxKhiACLcBGAs/s400/rough_revised.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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The client was kind enough to draw a blueprint of the shop for me, which helped a lot! Finally I figured out how to make the layout, window, door and cash register all work together in a way that was accurate to the story but also looked good visually.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOgT-WOfwDQ/WYyo3Gpe-fI/AAAAAAAANe0/fx0rIB3Qb9knC9Y-Vn7uGxvolEhvOUgngCLcBGAs/s1600/rough_revised02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOgT-WOfwDQ/WYyo3Gpe-fI/AAAAAAAANe0/fx0rIB3Qb9knC9Y-Vn7uGxvolEhvOUgngCLcBGAs/s400/rough_revised02.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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Next I sent a color rough. The client asked for autumnal colors outside the window and warm wood tones inside the shop. In order to offset all that orange and brown, I chose a cool robin's egg blue for the walls and chairs. Some golden light streaming in through the windows helped keep the cozy, nostalgic feeling, and also let me highlight the tabby cat.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOEFcH65NU4/WYypOt3HQBI/AAAAAAAANe4/csJlvQAouPIfP6T0e6DYm0XoAfE2G8KbgCLcBGAs/s1600/rough_color_revised.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOEFcH65NU4/WYypOt3HQBI/AAAAAAAANe4/csJlvQAouPIfP6T0e6DYm0XoAfE2G8KbgCLcBGAs/s400/rough_color_revised.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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I was approved to go to final!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mXwE38U_xD0/WYypiv2bqEI/AAAAAAAANe8/RqTw9weAFA4N3u2yt3x8FNDEvHCDqqh4gCLcBGAs/s1600/carol_wright_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mXwE38U_xD0/WYypiv2bqEI/AAAAAAAANe8/RqTw9weAFA4N3u2yt3x8FNDEvHCDqqh4gCLcBGAs/s640/carol_wright_book_cover.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo-sQvp4BbI/WYyp9XV-hjI/AAAAAAAANfA/gnxmqs2a1ZoQdVWRhPYGKHLQ_zWrJBS8ACLcBGAs/s1600/closeup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="750" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo-sQvp4BbI/WYyp9XV-hjI/AAAAAAAANfA/gnxmqs2a1ZoQdVWRhPYGKHLQ_zWrJBS8ACLcBGAs/s640/closeup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3WkqeLa9nQ/WYyp9hwsXgI/AAAAAAAANfE/9ZyA-cy26iAj2eq7fPS3RZ12G_fshPgSACLcBGAs/s1600/closeup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="877" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3WkqeLa9nQ/WYyp9hwsXgI/AAAAAAAANfE/9ZyA-cy26iAj2eq7fPS3RZ12G_fshPgSACLcBGAs/s640/closeup2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the cover with the final design. I think it turned out really nicely! That's definitely a bookstore I'd love to spend an afternoon in with a chai tea and a good book.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urMsnnHBCu4/WYyqcWPYgsI/AAAAAAAANfM/hFXr6mSFhokK9rzO-jm8igqV4v0WTn4gwCLcBGAs/s1600/20617214_10155455788746718_4208174529976582447_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urMsnnHBCu4/WYyqcWPYgsI/AAAAAAAANfM/hFXr6mSFhokK9rzO-jm8igqV4v0WTn4gwCLcBGAs/s640/20617214_10155455788746718_4208174529976582447_o.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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DEATH AT GLENVILLE FALLS is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Death-Glenville-Falls-McIntyre-Mysteries/dp/0974289132">Amazon</a> and at <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-in-glenville-falls-carol-l-wright/1126963026">Barnes & Noble</a>! Thanks Carol for thinking of me for the cover of your book.</div>
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Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-26791306772245192312019-01-28T09:22:00.003-08:002019-01-28T09:22:50.642-08:00Speak Truth to Fire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dTva2zl2QE/XE6aKymrQuI/AAAAAAAAPCQ/MpkziiUHbysc7r8CrZUhR7R34RXns-shACLcBGAs/s1600/speak_truth_to_fire_cover_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dTva2zl2QE/XE6aKymrQuI/AAAAAAAAPCQ/MpkziiUHbysc7r8CrZUhR7R34RXns-shACLcBGAs/s640/speak_truth_to_fire_cover_web.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Last year <a href="https://www.writermc.com/">author Matthew Candelaria</a> emailed me to ask if I'd be interested in creating a cover for his self-published novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Truth-Fire-Matthew-Candelaria-ebook/dp/B07N1GTYW6/ref=sr_1_1?">SPEAK TRUTH TO FIRE</a>. He described it as "a dark urban fantasy set in the United States during the 1920s," where a private detective and a witch use magic to fight evil demons that have been summoned by the Ku Klux Klan.</div>
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Um, yes.<br />
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Yes I would be interested in that.</div>
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Matthew said that he'd like the cover to be inspired by vintage pulp covers, but with a female character working as a team with the hero. He wanted the two of them in period clothing, ready to fight a serpent made of flame, one with a gun, the other casting magic. He sent me some pulp covers for inspiration, which sent me down a rabbit hole on Pinterest.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cszFc-b0X2g/XE6c3QFUyoI/AAAAAAAAPCc/fGrHl5xXMygUStXWCPXv_5-xcRdAJavggCLcBGAs/s1600/pulpcovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="1428" height="210" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cszFc-b0X2g/XE6c3QFUyoI/AAAAAAAAPCc/fGrHl5xXMygUStXWCPXv_5-xcRdAJavggCLcBGAs/s640/pulpcovers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These were some of the more tame covers I found! Thanks to this project, for a while my Pinterest feed was a strange mixture of vegetarian recipes, Scandinavian interior design, and pulpy mid-century softcore porn.<br />
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In other words, my job is amazing.</div>
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I studied the covers and came up with a list of common traits:</div>
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<li>Solid, graphic backgrounds</li>
<li>Bold colors</li>
<li>Dynamic poses</li>
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I started sketching some ideas that would incorporate these elements, and got my husband to help out with photo references.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YgUk50ZKZDg/XE6fj1K2w-I/AAAAAAAAPCw/M8c5MWkdE3Yl0pjT7OYJ0C2EQyxauD6CACLcBGAs/s1600/photorefs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="800" height="564" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YgUk50ZKZDg/XE6fj1K2w-I/AAAAAAAAPCw/M8c5MWkdE3Yl0pjT7OYJ0C2EQyxauD6CACLcBGAs/s640/photorefs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are the roughs I sent to Matthew:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx2VUzGivtE/XE6elC1bjBI/AAAAAAAAPCo/MP3WtY0FL9cdOJ2xN7Wtet6Cx6LDlQ_dACLcBGAs/s1600/roughs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1200" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx2VUzGivtE/XE6elC1bjBI/AAAAAAAAPCo/MP3WtY0FL9cdOJ2xN7Wtet6Cx6LDlQ_dACLcBGAs/s640/roughs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Matthew chose the first rough, but asked me to work in a burning cross from which the fire serpent is being summoned. It took me a while to figure out how to work in the cross in a way that felt natural and still left space for the title text. Everything I tried just seemed too in-your-face, like, WOAH THAT'S A BURNING CROSS! In the end I liked having the cross as a graphic shape in the background rather than being a literal cross in the scene.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqIM7n9Wm3o/XE6g0-OKfkI/AAAAAAAAPC8/pWTR41eHBisJhyrNsv_hFiAczR7IlfypQCLcBGAs/s1600/rough_color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqIM7n9Wm3o/XE6g0-OKfkI/AAAAAAAAPC8/pWTR41eHBisJhyrNsv_hFiAczR7IlfypQCLcBGAs/s640/rough_color.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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I love the crimson red that ended up in the background. It's kind of a bloody, menacing color that I don't usually get to use for children's covers!</div>
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Matthew OK'd the rough and from there I went to final. While painting, I studied the pulp covers and tried to imitate the brushy, painterly texture and avoid too much digital polish.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3pdVfNh9_04/XE83xCjpi0I/AAAAAAAAPDI/Xumt47Gof14NVVrnTZbQ4CDPnkh8_8q_ACLcBGAs/s1600/pulp_cover_illustration_closeup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="966" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3pdVfNh9_04/XE83xCjpi0I/AAAAAAAAPDI/Xumt47Gof14NVVrnTZbQ4CDPnkh8_8q_ACLcBGAs/s640/pulp_cover_illustration_closeup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3p4kjiS6Jzs/XE83xBqVXjI/AAAAAAAAPDM/ErxqhSS4LA0rCRanKfZe4Eq-Mn09z8tnACLcBGAs/s1600/pulp_cover_illustration_closeup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="966" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3p4kjiS6Jzs/XE83xBqVXjI/AAAAAAAAPDM/ErxqhSS4LA0rCRanKfZe4Eq-Mn09z8tnACLcBGAs/s640/pulp_cover_illustration_closeup2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ERP57kdOHw/XE83zVcK7gI/AAAAAAAAPDQ/b1KGrWIoY_klTWT-cFLlcfhw-CuP2OuPwCLcBGAs/s1600/pulp_cover_illustration_closeup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="966" height="404" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ERP57kdOHw/XE83zVcK7gI/AAAAAAAAPDQ/b1KGrWIoY_klTWT-cFLlcfhw-CuP2OuPwCLcBGAs/s640/pulp_cover_illustration_closeup3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The heroine's coat is based on a design from the 1920's that Matthew sent me as reference. I absolutely love the art deco piping along the sleeves. I would buy that coat - especially for $14.98! What a steal!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Un7-b2Kb6A/XE835gcutCI/AAAAAAAAPDU/ShYXT9S_EHkSiOnxNJY9sjvDZ8NZbergQCLcBGAs/s1600/1920s_coats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Un7-b2Kb6A/XE835gcutCI/AAAAAAAAPDU/ShYXT9S_EHkSiOnxNJY9sjvDZ8NZbergQCLcBGAs/s640/1920s_coats.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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We went back and forth on whether or not to give the heroine a cloche hat.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Krs4CVSV7qc/XE84S2naBPI/AAAAAAAAPDk/pfdm3ZpqImgftJizV9IT1sc6D9e6w3OZwCLcBGAs/s1600/hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="513" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Krs4CVSV7qc/XE84S2naBPI/AAAAAAAAPDk/pfdm3ZpqImgftJizV9IT1sc6D9e6w3OZwCLcBGAs/s640/hats.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Matthew decided against it, which I think was probably the right call, but part of me still really likes that hat.</div>
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Here it is with the title text (which I also designed!) and some weathered paperback texturing, just for fun.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yum1_TMcnNo/XE84kNOo8cI/AAAAAAAAPDw/ITAUt3WLtUk7PCq70EUaTBmWYakC2s6vACLcBGAs/s1600/speak_truth_to_fire_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yum1_TMcnNo/XE84kNOo8cI/AAAAAAAAPDw/ITAUt3WLtUk7PCq70EUaTBmWYakC2s6vACLcBGAs/s640/speak_truth_to_fire_web.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I'm super happy with how this cover turned out, and I enjoyed reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Truth-Fire-Matthew-Candelaria-ebook/dp/B07N1GTYW6/ref=sr_1_1?">SPEAK TRUTH TO FIRE</a> very much. It's a fun urban fantasy with an impressive amount of authentic historical details. My favorite character was the WWI pilot who is continually haunted by a ghost plane!<br />
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Thanks for reading!</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-36037029880037922482018-12-18T07:00:00.000-08:002018-12-18T07:00:13.139-08:002018 Client Christmas Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MJvcz4B9Ftk/XA1RiZ3WDWI/AAAAAAAAO9c/apiv814OuiM5hFrIbVmAU4H7AcZH_BhFwCLcBGAs/s1600/20181209_084610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="800" height="508" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MJvcz4B9Ftk/XA1RiZ3WDWI/AAAAAAAAO9c/apiv814OuiM5hFrIbVmAU4H7AcZH_BhFwCLcBGAs/s640/20181209_084610.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Every year I send out Christmas cards to my agent and some of my long-time clients. This year I re-used<a href="https://kmcmorris.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-nativity-unscripted.html"> an illustration that I did for<i> Brio </i>magazine</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvqKu-vgsyk/Wi7HlANs4eI/AAAAAAAANvE/vrBmTB1tY6gd5WgxifossNYkBnjLEUCWgCLcBGAs/s640/childrens_magazine_illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="477" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvqKu-vgsyk/Wi7HlANs4eI/AAAAAAAANvE/vrBmTB1tY6gd5WgxifossNYkBnjLEUCWgCLcBGAs/s640/childrens_magazine_illustration.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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In the original story, a bunch of kids are performing a nativity skit at a local children's hospital, which is why there's a wheelchair and all that medical equipment in the foreground of the scene. For my card I thought that stuff would be confusing, so I removed it.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBtKJC2OuWU/XA1RiexpSyI/AAAAAAAAO9g/LCQjT1fyWZg8kjKVL086bHjk7RBQPfCCACLcBGAs/s1600/20181209_084729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1000" height="404" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBtKJC2OuWU/XA1RiexpSyI/AAAAAAAAO9g/LCQjT1fyWZg8kjKVL086bHjk7RBQPfCCACLcBGAs/s640/20181209_084729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like to get my cards printed at <a href="https://www.zazzle.com/">Zazzle</a>. The print quality and color accuracy is excellent, and the glossy cardstock is nice and thick. The prices are also reasonable considering that there's no minimum order. (I always place my order during Black Friday.) They do print a Zazzle logo on the back of the card, which doesn't bother me but I know that some artists might not want to confuse their branding.</div>
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Merry Christmas or whatever holidays you celebrate this season, blog readers. I am thankful for each and every one of you. I really appreciate the encouraging comments and emails that you send to me. It's been a struggle to keep this blog updated this year, not because of a lack of things to write about, but lack of time to write about them! I have some really cool projects to show you next year so I hope to see you again in 2019.</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-90493472528427556302018-12-13T07:00:00.000-08:002019-12-06T14:15:16.700-08:00Motherhood and Career!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LQ4E2VI2Rg/XBHG09XDbBI/AAAAAAAAO-U/AAi6FwJ5A1sir1HXcXnn7zTH8X9TaBGVgCLcBGAs/s1600/20181212_152725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" height="456" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LQ4E2VI2Rg/XBHG09XDbBI/AAAAAAAAO-U/AAi6FwJ5A1sir1HXcXnn7zTH8X9TaBGVgCLcBGAs/s640/20181212_152725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I’ve tried over and over again to write about what it was like to have a newborn. Two years ago, my husband and I brought our newborn daughter home from the hospital, and as that time slides further into the past it’s starting to acquire the glaze of nostalgia. When I look at photos it seems like a magical, simple time, when our little baby blob did nothing but eat, sleep and poop.<br />
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But at the time, it felt like the hardest thing I’d ever been through. The sleep deprivation, hormone changes, physical healing and massive life shift were a combo hit that left me reeling. My daughter and I were struggling to learn how to breastfeed, and as a result she was constantly eating but also constantly hungry, and therefore constantly attached to me.<br />
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My world had shrunk down to the area between my bed, the couch, and the diaper changing table. My day had shrunk down to struggling to meet me and my daughter’s basic needs of food, sleep and hygiene. I felt not so much like a person as a semi-mobile baby life support system. There was a day when I managed to get dressed, put my daughter in a carrier, walk to the cafe across the street, and order a chai latte. I considered this to be such a momentous achievement that I commemorated it with a blurry selfie.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gy2Pd8UPx-4/XBHEFutyYBI/AAAAAAAAO-I/3T97dUNeYd8IFMGeIzdnmvZVi-3DgPXSwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170112_162123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gy2Pd8UPx-4/XBHEFutyYBI/AAAAAAAAO-I/3T97dUNeYd8IFMGeIzdnmvZVi-3DgPXSwCLcBGAs/s400/20170112_162123.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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Maybe some moms handle it all better than I did; I don’t know. But after those first six weeks, we figured out the breastfeeding thing, my husband and I learned some baby hacks, my daughter’s sleep started to improve and she started getting all chubby and smiley. I was starting to feel a little better. I even managed to get a little bit of personal drawing done.<br />
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That’s when news popped into my inbox: I had landed the job I had auditioned for months earlier: the “Real Stories From My Time” series with Scholastic! Woah!<br />
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The bad news was that they needed me to start right away. In fact, they needed <i>two book covers in two weeks</i>, a pace that would have been challenging even pre-baby.<br />
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I really didn’t know if I could do it. I had planned to take a few more weeks of maternity leave, but if I was going to take the job, I had to take it now. I spent a day going back and forth on it, doing a lot of soul searching. After a lot of encouragement from my husband and friends, I decided that if I turned the job down I would always look back and wonder if I could have made it work. So I accepted it. We went out for ice cream to celebrate, and took another blurry selfie.<br />
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I started working while my daughter napped and after she went to sleep at night. After rocking her to sleep and laying her in her little bassinet, I’d rush over to my computer, whipping out my stylus like a cowboy with his pistol. Her naps were usually about 45 minutes long, so while the baby slept I did nothing except draw, pausing only to make myself a cup of tea. Sometimes I wouldn’t even stop to use the toilet.<br />
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As I got back into drawing and listening to podcasts and audiobooks, I started to feel like myself again. Here was a small bubble of familiarity, of the Kelley I recognized. In motherhood I was an overwhelmed newbie; in illustration, I was skilled, experienced, connected. The publishing world had thrown me a lifeline, and I clung to it. <br />
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Surprisingly, despite the stress, sleep deprivation, and short deadlines, I produced some of my very best work. It was portfolio-worthy stuff, and I was receiving a lot of positive feedback from clients. I’m honestly not sure why this would be - perhaps it was because the work meant so much to me. (I should note that ultimately Scholastic gave me more than 2 weeks to finish the covers.) I went on that year to complete eleven book covers, five middle-grade books, and three editorial illustrations.</div>
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So that was two years ago. My daughter is now a toddler, a tiny blonde tornado of energy. I still work while she naps and after she goes to bed at night, but I also have a babysitter and occasional daycare. There’s no more falling asleep on the floor, or avoiding using the toilet because it would use up precious work time!<br />
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People ask me how I manage to “find a balance.” The answer is, I don’t so much “find a balance” as I do “manage to get through the day.” Taking care of my daughter absorbs most of my day; otherwise, I spend almost every spare minute working. If I get my work done early, I spend the evening cleaning the house, watching Star Trek with my husband, or maybe writing a blog post. (Now you know why I don’t update this blog as much as I used to!)<br />
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My Dad often asks me how I can possibly work at the end of a long day of toddler-wrangling. It’s true that, as much as I adore my baby tornado, spending an entire day with her is really draining. I sometimes wish I could just spend the evenings relaxing and the afternoons pursuing a hobby or playing video games. But most of the time, I feel grateful that I’m able to do what I do.<br />
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I love illustration.<i> I love it. </i>At the end of a long day, drawing centers me, calms me, makes me feel like a fully-dimensional person again. <b>Being able to illustrate books is a gift, and I cherish it.</b> And I will do everything that I can - working nights, working weekends, working through a bout of the stomach flu (true story) - to keep it in my life.<br />
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As long as I can continue to do this, I’m grateful.</div>
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Just to round things out, here's another blurry selfie.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFh8-mf2vMY/XBHDxEW6joI/AAAAAAAAO-A/WL3pUAjhhVEeDCAKz61-7QQSKmXKRnlHQCLcBGAs/s1600/20181212_152535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" height="456" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFh8-mf2vMY/XBHDxEW6joI/AAAAAAAAO-A/WL3pUAjhhVEeDCAKz61-7QQSKmXKRnlHQCLcBGAs/s640/20181212_152535.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-717652999506699201.post-3600705692255985712018-10-30T15:46:00.000-07:002018-10-30T15:46:47.137-07:00Pearl Harbor<br />
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<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCEoTzn1UwA/W9fkiWT7VPI/AAAAAAAAO3Y/Hfr0OcyLOAstGz-FFcX-uKcurVedFdmSQCLcBGAs/s1600/american_girl_pearl_harbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="616" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCEoTzn1UwA/W9fkiWT7VPI/AAAAAAAAO3Y/Hfr0OcyLOAstGz-FFcX-uKcurVedFdmSQCLcBGAs/s640/american_girl_pearl_harbor.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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I created this book cover for Scholastic and American Girl's "Real Stories From My Time" series. First time drawing an explosion!</div>
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My parents made fun of me for surrounding a war scene in beautiful flowers. But that's the challenge of creating historical illustrations for children (and in this case, specifically girls) - it has to look accurate but also colorful and appealing. This challenge is actually one reason why I enjoy doing historical books.</div>
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Since this series is aimed at girls, the team asked me to draw a Hawaiian girl in the foreground, watching the Pearl Harbor attack unfold in the distance. Here's the sketch I sent.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZFwbw0ljt0/W9jaBYqyRJI/AAAAAAAAO3o/Z9ei-zUrHgkDO6T70lHoJ-0n6Wz0QS6BACLcBGAs/s1600/mcmorris_ph_rough01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZFwbw0ljt0/W9jaBYqyRJI/AAAAAAAAO3o/Z9ei-zUrHgkDO6T70lHoJ-0n6Wz0QS6BACLcBGAs/s400/mcmorris_ph_rough01.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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Here's some photo references I took in order to get the pose right:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihHHVQS5yk0/W9jeS25A_EI/AAAAAAAAO4M/W7tpaAasHNYt-Ji7ujWwG4JncQwikOPsQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="1500" height="202" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihHHVQS5yk0/W9jeS25A_EI/AAAAAAAAO4M/W7tpaAasHNYt-Ji7ujWwG4JncQwikOPsQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5724.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here's the color rough:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7a06kYcHaY0/W9jalC3QdrI/AAAAAAAAO3w/X-5yHZ6m0A0hC-aBitbcV0_7hOD4wpYLACLcBGAs/s1600/mcmorris_ph_colorrough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7a06kYcHaY0/W9jalC3QdrI/AAAAAAAAO3w/X-5yHZ6m0A0hC-aBitbcV0_7hOD4wpYLACLcBGAs/s400/mcmorris_ph_colorrough.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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At this point the team asked me to re-work some things, to add in an additional girl in the scene and make the explosion bigger. Then the girl was changed to a boy; I don't remember why!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jX-D4gFdCUE/W9ja97TTa7I/AAAAAAAAO34/urGygfu6dLw8apavHggooiwM08IlRnzFwCLcBGAs/s1600/mcmorris_ph_colorrough_revised.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jX-D4gFdCUE/W9ja97TTa7I/AAAAAAAAO34/urGygfu6dLw8apavHggooiwM08IlRnzFwCLcBGAs/s400/mcmorris_ph_colorrough_revised.jpg" width="261" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-443fnphJslU/W9jbYAxd7SI/AAAAAAAAO4A/j-YN7u-2d4MIxKbDByINBFFOjnTSgtOEQCLcBGAs/s1600/mcmorris_ph_colorrough_revised02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-443fnphJslU/W9jbYAxd7SI/AAAAAAAAO4A/j-YN7u-2d4MIxKbDByINBFFOjnTSgtOEQCLcBGAs/s400/mcmorris_ph_colorrough_revised02.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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From there I had the green light to go to final. Here's the finished illustration!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CUP52yc2fQ/W9fkOUp6OSI/AAAAAAAAO3Q/ZFWD0GxeMj8licvMn0G6W6HViEhSNRyhACLcBGAs/s1600/historical_middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CUP52yc2fQ/W9fkOUp6OSI/AAAAAAAAO3Q/ZFWD0GxeMj8licvMn0G6W6HViEhSNRyhACLcBGAs/s640/historical_middle_grade_book_cover.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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It's always a thrill to hold the printed book!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Io3WxHQ7KIA/W9fknntHlpI/AAAAAAAAO3c/SaH6Ia-eRqYQPydzrUSTf6xshJ3GyW3jwCLcBGAs/s1600/pearl_harbor_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="800" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Io3WxHQ7KIA/W9fknntHlpI/AAAAAAAAO3c/SaH6Ia-eRqYQPydzrUSTf6xshJ3GyW3jwCLcBGAs/s640/pearl_harbor_book_cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next I'll be sharing one of the interior illustrations I did for this book. Stay tuned!</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125779342541236588noreply@blogger.com6