Illustration scares me:

33 Replies

This timely prompt has given me a nudge. Illustrating some of my children’s stories has been something I keep putting on the back burner. I am embarrassed to say that my attempts are so pathetic; I lose confidence that I can do it. In reality it is just a matter of practicing daily. It’s a bit like my love/hate affair with the computer.

Here is one example of a book I attempted to illustrate some time ago. It is done with collage, crayon and ink. I do not need your critique, as I know it is crap. This is just to show you why I hesitate to even begin again:

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I know I can do better!

Is there something you’ve wanted to do but never got around to starting (an activity, a hobby, or anything else, really)? Tell us about what’s keeping you from doing it?

(Thanks, Rocky, for inspiring today’s prompt!) Ben Huberman

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/back-of-the-queue/

33 thoughts on “Illustration scares me:”

  1. Pingback: Updating My Life Queue | TyroCharm

  2. Outlier Babe

    Your illustrations are charming, colorful, have perspective, make full and bold use of the entire page, invite the viewer into the scene–and those adorable snails! How cute are THEY? I agree that a smaller-scale print on the bunnies would help distinguish them more clearly from the background and each other, but I was charmed with them even as they are.

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      Outlier Babe, thank you for your lovely comment. I just know they could be much better!
      I do appreciate you commenting as it does help me gather my confidence to try again at some stage!

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  5. hilarycustancegreen

    I love the ‘spring rain fell’ illustration, especially the ears. Yes, I tried to take up the piano again after I inherited my mother’s piano, I ploughed on for a couple of years, with no signs of improvement at all (and I started at a very low standard), I rarely touch it now and feel sad about that, but I love music and to improve I would need to devote more than an hour a day to the project.

    Re illustrations, keep ploughing on. I am trying to design a book cover, and I am still struggling, but my first attempts now definitely look more amateur than the latest ones.

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  6. joannesisco

    I’m the last person to offer any commentary on artwork. If it looks even remotely like the intended animal … like yours do …. I think it’s amazing. I never graduated beyond the indistinguishable shapes stage. I think it was my teacher in primary school who planted and fertilized the seeds that I had absolutely no artistic ability.

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      What a dreadful teacher, Joanne, to implant such negative thoughts. Everyone has the ability, it’s just whether they want to do it, that’s the difference! I wonder if you’re game to give it a try too? ❤

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      1. bkpyett Post author

        Hilary, I’m sure your design skills are improving, it is only having a go and learning on the job.
        I should talk!! Hee Hee. I will continue to have a go. I do wish you well with the cover page;
        even torn paper, of colours that you like, could be collaged and the printing overlaid? Just one of many suggestions…
        Sad about the piano. My sister in law took the piano that we had, so I have the excuse not to continue playing. I did love playing when I was younger. I guess yours is a reminder of your Mother, so that’s nice to have it there. I’m sure you’ll play Christmas carols to the grandchildren one day! ❤

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      2. joannesisco

        Sometimes the universe seems to work in strangely coincidental ways. Shortly after I sent that message to you, I received an email informing me that I had won 2 free art classes in a fundraiser raffle in which I had bought tickets. I am hugely intimidated by the thought of accepting :/

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  7. Carol Ann

    Barbara, your illustrations are delightful…exactly what children appreciate. the major problem with the rabbits is not the pattern, but that the pattern is too large a ‘scale’ for the shapes, thus making them blotchy and harder to distinguish. The shapes of the rabbits themselves are quite charming. The picture where they are having tea is a little confusing because the rabbit on the left has a foot at the level of the foreground rabbit’s head that looks like an ear that is hanging down and two standing ears on the other side. When using collage it is hard to achieve depth except by size… and if there are no shadow lines marking separations, the separation of figures,is indistinguishable. Solve those two problems and I think you have a perfect style for your book. Also, why did you choose a leopard skin for the rabbits? This might be confusing for very young children who are just learning to recognize their animals. You have a lot of options on ‘dots’ and ‘patches’…have fun!

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      Thanks Carol Ann, I do appreciate your input. You are so right. I realized that the big pattern wasn’t suitable after I stuck them down! I shall have another attempt and see what happens.
      I was thinking some of that fake fur fabric? Time will tell! ❤

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      1. bkpyett Post author

        Joanne, that is wonderful news! How serendipitous is that? You are going to enjoy it so much! Just relax and let things flow! I’m thrilled for you. 😀

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  8. New Henry Design - http://newhenrydesign.wordpress.com/

    I actually think it’s rather cute! The collage style is great, some pages might be a bit busy (with pattern) but I really love the ‘spring rain’ page. It’s gorgeous. There are a series of books available at K mart or somewhere that do the collage style so beautifully. If you want more info let me know. Don’t be so hard on yourself, your style is unique and having a go and doing it is half the problem solved. Good on you for being brave 😉
    Jade, thefolksylife.com

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      Thanks Jade,I appreciate your comments. I have decided to give it a go and see what happens. This means I will have a break from blogging for a while. Thanks for your encouragement. 🙂

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  9. bkpyett Post author

    Maggie, I’d love to keep in touch. Your writing is coming along in leaps and bounds! It is exciting. I’m looking forward to having the grand children to stay. Shall see if I have the courage to do some illustration… One more post before I disappear for a bit. Thanks for being a constant friend! This iPad doesn’t do hearts, so xx

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  11. M T McGuire

    I really like those. Especially the rainy one. I think I’d you’d used a plain fabric for the rabbits it might have worked better – the leopard print interferes with their outlines a little but they’re great. To me at any rate.

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      The shapes are a bit weird too! Still I will have a go and see if I can do something more to my liking! I have the grand children coming to stay on Friday, so I’m taking some time off, but will be back, even if spasmodically. I do hope to read your books… Good luck with the next book coming out soon!

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  12. raroto

    They’re not that bad…I think they’re kinda cute! At least you could draw and make them look like rabbits. Me, I can’t even draw a straight line! Don’t stop trying Barbara, someday you will get it right.. 😉

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      You are right that I should keep trying… and that’s what I’m going to do. I’m having some time off, last post tomorrow for a while. I find I spend far too much time blogging! (reading them etc.)
      I shall be back though, hopefully when I have something to share. Happy blogging to you!

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  13. bkpyett Post author

    Pity, he wouldn’t touch it with a barge poll. I think I should begin from the beginning and struggle to improve my own skills…. I hate not achieving the standard that would satisfy me.
    Thanks for your comments Helen, I’ve appreciated your visits. As I mentioned on your blog, I’m about to take a break and see if I can achieve something. (Even if it’s just something for my own grandchildren’s Christmas presents).

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      Thanks Kimberley, I just know I should be able to do better than this…. and am about to allow myself time to, at least, give it a try!
      Thank you for your encouragement! ❤

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    2. bkpyett Post author

      Thanks for your confidence Kimberley, I shall see what I can come up with.
      Am going off air for a bit to first spend time with my grand children and then have a go at some illustrating…. Shall return. Thanks for your comments! 😀

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