A Cover for SCBWI Bulletin
I was asked to work on the cover of SCBWI Bulletin for their September-October 2013 issue.
The only requirement was to include a kite on the illustration. I wanted to illustrate the kite as a main element in the composition instead of it just being… well, a kite.
SCBWI Bulletin September-October 2013
The thought process behind the illustration was pretty simple: Why not wear the kite? Doable… What else do I want? Piggies… and also that piggies can fly! And with those ideas in mind, I started sketching and Simon showed up.
This is the first version of Simon. It was good but Simon was not flying. He was just happy to wear his kite.
Initial sketch of Simon.
There were 2 other cover layouts before the final sketch felt right. Simon had to be full of innocence, hope and wonder, almost ready to take off, and with his friends there with him. Here is the final art.
Final art of Simon Will Fly
Curious to see the cover? Want to read all those great articles in this issue? Want to read the interview? SCBWI Members can download the issue here. Mailed Bulletin copies should arrive to your mailbox the first week of September.
If you are a children’s writer or illustrator and are not a SCBWI member yet, join! I am very grateful for everything I have learned and got thanks to SCBWI. Thanks again SCBWI for the assignment!
Final sketch and art for SCBWI September-October 2013 Bulletin.
Details of Cover art for SCBWI September-October 2013 Bulletin
Details of Cover art for SCBWI September-October 2013 Bulletin
Details of Cover art for SCBWI September-October 2013 Bulletin
Details of Cover art for SCBWI September-October 2013 Bulletin
Details of Cover art for SCBWI September-October 2013 Bulletin
About the Cover in the SCBWI Bulletin September-October 2013
How do you receive your copies of the SCBWI Bulletin? Mail or Digital? What do you think of the cover? You can let me know in the comments.
Thanks again for reading and see you soon!
Oliver.
Way to go, Juana!
It is a very lovely illustration.
juana
Gracias, Oliver! :)
Wendy Caston
This is absolutely adorable, Juana! I love the texture. What kind of paint and paper did you use?
juana
Thanks, Wendy! My work is mixed media. I paint on mixed media paper with acrylics, colored pencils and graphite. I do prepare my paper so I get the texture that I like. Hope this helps!
Amanda Sorenson (@AmandaDSorenson)
I love it! I always look forward to seeing the newest SCBWI cover, who the illustrator was, and read all about them. I’ve opted for the electronic version, because the paper one always seems to get recycled too soon by well meaning husband. Best wishes to you!
Amanda Sorenson
Bits n’ Baubles Studio
juana
Thanks for the info, Amanda! I have to confess that I’m the recycler at the house :)
Diana
lindo Juanita!!!
juana
Gracias, Dianita! Un beso! :)
Maria Salas
¡Bellísimo, Juana!! la primera versión de Simon también está maravillosa ^^ ¡Felicidades por la portada!
juana
Muchas gracias, Maria! Un gusto que te hayan gustado las diferentes versiones :)
Ana
Absolutely adorable, Juana! – Esta lindisima!
juana
Muchas gracias, Ana! :)
Sumita Dutta
Incredibly beautiful. There’s so much of detail. Look forward to more of your work.
juana
Thanks, Sumita! Looking forward to your visits :)
Alia
Beautiful! Soft lovely colors.
juana
Thanks, Alia! :)
Zach Roush
Very Fun! I’m also curious for what type of paint paper you used. Love the little details.
I know it’s better to go with digital for “green” purposes but I just love holding books and magazines in my hands so I still go with the print form. Looking forward to holding your cover copy :)
juana
Hello Zach! I use mixed media paper and add texture to it with papers and acrylic mediums.
I love my iPad but there’s nothing like flipping through real pages. I agree :)
shirley
Simply stunning, Juana! Simon is adorable and I love that you posted your sketches as well as thoughts behind the final piece. Does Simon have the “keys to fly”? The details are gorgeous. Congratulations on such a well deserved win and wonderful highlight and mark on the SCBWI Bulletin. Awesome, Juana!!
juana
Ha! He has the keys to flying, the birds told him the secret and he’s getting to be next to the clouds and stars :)
Thanks, Shirley! You are always so supportive. Hugs to you. Looking forward to seeing hopefully soon.
Vicky Jean-Louis
This is amazing! Congrats! Being from Canada, I only have it digitally…
juana
Hello Vicky! So that means that all countries except the US get a digital version. Thanks for the info! And nice to meet you :)
Virginia Rinkel
Love your imagination in this creation. Congratulations.
juana
Thanks, Virginia! And thanks for the comment and visit!
Michelle A. Cusolito
Lovely! I can’t wait to get my copy in the mail!
juana
Thanks, Michelle! :)
Maral Sassouni
Juana, this is great! What makes it stand out (for me) is the focus on the character and your colour palette.
Complimenti, félicitations, enhorabuena, high five!
juana
Gracias, Maral! Thanks for your opinion. It’s so interesting to know what other artists see :)
nessa dee
Beautiful, Juana! I’m a sucker for mixed media and all of the added texture.
juana
Thanks, Nessa! Good to see you here, too :)
Sharalyn Edgeberg
Very nice! I get my SCBWI bulletin by mail.
juana
Thanks, Sharalyn! And thanks for the info :)
lil kim
BEAUTIFUL! Lovely illustration (and that pigs can fly… of course!) and great to see a bit of your process. Congrats :)
juana
Thanks so much, Kim! Glad you like the piece :D Thanks for the visit, too!
Stacy G
I get it in the old fashioned mail. I knew it was your work right away! So lovely, I love it!
juana
That’s a good thing! :) Thanks so much, Stacy!
Marjorie
Just lovely! Thank you for this post.
juana
Thank you, Marjorie! :)
Catherine Young
Huge congrats on the cover, it is amazing! So glad to have found your blog, I am starting out on my journey illustrating childrens books, represented by Prospect Agency. Look forward to visiting again, catherine x
juana
Hi Catherine! It’s nice to meet you :) I visited your site. Lovely work. Prospect is a great agency. Can’t wait to see your books :D
Alex MArk
What a pleasure to see your work.
juana
Thank you, Alex! And thanks for the visit and comment :)