What I learned from Dan Santat’s Workshop

Things take time for me to sink in so it makes sense that after a month of attending Dan Santat’s workshop here in Phoenix I finally can sort out what I’ve learned from it. So here is my recap of what I got out of the experience.
Warning: Results may vary depending on locations and illustrators.

1 Know Who You Admire In Order to Understand What You Need To Do As An Artist
Dan asked us to find a piece that we love. So as diligent as I am, I immediately created a Dropbox folder and dragged and dropped pieces that I felt were gorgeous for one reason or another. It didn’t take long until I realized I had over 30 jpeg files. So I had to narrow it down over and over again. Until I was left with 1 piece. The process confirmed my love for Rebecca Dautremer‘s work. In the process I clearly outlined what I love about her work and I know what I need to achieve on my work: her use of light, her portray of different cultures, and her incredible compositions. Now I have a clear direction.

2 Learn From The “Masters”
Part of the assignment was to copy the 1 piece that you loved. So I did my copy. What did I learn? My eyes see colors a lot brighter than they need to be. Rebecca’s work has all these colors yet when I was copying her piece I had to force myself to mute my palette – a lot. I also learned how to use gouache by looking at her illustration. So next time that you love a piece even if you are too busy, I dare you to copy it. You have no idea all that you can learn.

Dan Santat via SCBWI-AZ

This is a repost of the event listed at SCBWI-AZ‘s site.

ICON6

Last Thursday I showed my work at ICON6 Portfolio Roadshow in Pasadena, California. I made some really good contacts, got some prospective clients, enjoyed the way-cool neighbors, saw my baby-bro, AND got a fun one-day-Illustration-only escapade from sunny and this-time-of-year very hot AZ.

Roadshow was a nice size – around 100 illustrators. In my opinion, Roadshow and ICON are very heavy on Editorial Illustration so I thought it would be a nice place to show my work. I was right for once: Children’s Illustrators were scarce and cherished! :D

If you are interested to know more about the show, you can check ICON’s site: www.theillustrationconference.org

I’ll be blogging again when I’m back from SCBWI LA Conference. I’m leaving next Thursday and with me are going my 2 good KidLit Illustrator friends Molly Idle and Debra Pehrson Haun – listed in alphabetical order. Check out their sites!

I can NOT wait to go to LA! And in the meantime, keep cool and dry.

[ Cambio y Fuera ]
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Sweet help

Our sweet Luz is moving back to Veracruz, Mexico. She has been with us since Aidan was 14 months old and he is now an extremely active 4.5 year-old. She loves the boys like they were her own but she’s moving in mid April.

There’s so much to do and we must get ready for our imminent Luzless life. The hubs is being really helpful. We have divided and conquered our tasks. Hubby drops E at school, I pick him up. Hubs gets groceries. I do the laundry. Hubs takes care of Kitty. I take care of Puppy.

Our system works pretty smoothly… unless the hubs leaves home and forgets to feed Mr. Kitty. Then it’s a solo concerto chasing me around the house, to the kitchen, to the bedroom, to my studio, to more undesirable places until it’s time to open the fridge. Then Kitty manages to jump on top of the fridge on time to put his close-up head all big, round eyed right in front of my face. So of course I feed him after the drama.

It has happened way too many times so I drew this while in bed watching the always confusing “Lost.” Now it’s taped on the door that goes out to the garage and I’m happy to report that it has worked so far. After all, who can refuse to help when you ask like that: half-demanding, half-upset?

Stylin’ at Art Unraveled

So Art Unraveled’s workshop is over. In fact, it’s been over for a while. “Whimsy Me” was on August 5th, 2009 – the same day as my 38th birthday. What a way to celebrate!!

This is the piece that I completed the day before.

Happy Wednesday!

PS – I’ve been busy with graphic design and digital illustration. Fun and awesome but not children’s illustration. That’s why I haven’t had a post for a while.

Claudine Hellmuth’s Workshop – Pieces

Finally I got some time to upload the 4 pieces that I worked on at the Workshop in Sedona with Claudine Hellmuth. Happy little pieces. I hope you enjoy them.
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Sedona’s Workshop with Claudine

So I’m taking some time away from design work and posting about Claudine’s workshop last weekend. I should have been working, though.

It was at The Barn at the Sedona Arts Center – a very old building that I thought would collapse. It didn’t. In fact, it was a very sound building!

First day was a crashed course in color theory and composition. Next 3 days was all about tricks and techniques. We even played with wax which I had never used in my pieces.

Some pics:

Is this going to work?

Debbi hard at work.

Lori Garver – now also painting. She is a writer.

Table One – Tina rubbing paper. We rubbed a lot of paper last weekend.

Table One – Tina from Monterey and Kirsten from Tucson. People from lots of places attended the workshop. We even had a gal from Switzerland – although she lived in Mill Valley when she signed up.

Golden promo shot.

Table One – Tina, Kirsten, Claudine, Debbi and I.

Table One got Claudine a present – “Table One Rocks!” All very much Claudine’s style.

Leaving for Claudine’s Workshop

Now the next big workshop, Claudine Hellmuth at Sedona Arts Center. Debbi and I are driving up to Sedona tomorrow after lunch. God helps us!

Hopefully I’ll remember to take some pictures. With so many design deadlines, I can’t have a full day worth of painting. In Sedona, I’ll have 4. What a luxury!

Pat Cummings last Friday and Saturday

Pat Cummings was in Scottsdale last weekend. Finally! She is an engaging speaker, witty woman and very knowledgeable teacher in her field – Children’s Illustration.

Friday we had a Round Table with Authors and Author-Illustrators.
Saturday the much awaited Illustrators’ Intensive.

Awesome experience! We shared the room with new people – which was great. We love getting new active Illustrators in the Chapter. Very fun weekend.

Since pictures are worth a thousand words, here you go my friends.

Workshops – Update: Cummings + Hellmuth

One more week for Pat’s Workshop in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Two weeks for Claudine’s workshop in Sedona, Arizona. Can’t wait.