These days you’ll find me in deep space as I complete final art for my next picture book collaboration with Candlewick Press. THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD is a collection of humorous poems about space by poet, performer, and educator, Allan Wolf. Of course, sharing art at this stage is verboten, but here are a few details from my desk.
sometimes with a dash of salt...
Virtually every one of my illustrations starts off on paper. I use sumi ink washes to create shapes and line, drawing and painting the same things over and over, until I get the effect and energy I want. I’m always striving the most natural strokes—ones that don’t show any hesitation or self-consciousness. For this book, I’ve also be experimenting with salt and other random materials to achieve unexpected results. All of these elements are then scanned, collaged, and colored in the computer.
and more circles...
and bands of splotchy ink...
and throw in a few stars.
Here's the original sketch of Jupiter...
...then scan, collage, and color. Of course, this is missing elements of Jupiter's fiery personality.
As you can see, I’m having a great time with all of the planetary opportunities and textures that Alan's poems inspire. THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD will be available in Spring 2019. For more updates, watch this space.