My new book (is coming along...)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 4:01PM
 |
| Click to embiggen |
Hi all! By that I mean Jen. Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I have been in hibernation, shut away in my studio working on the finals for my new book, 'Herman & Rosie' which comes out next year with Penguin (Australia). The text is pretty much down (but you can bet I'll be tweeking it until it goes to print) so I have been trying desperately not to get behind on my deadline (mid December - crap!) - I can hear it coming but can't see it yet, thankfully.
I thought it might be nice to show you a little bit of what I'm doing. The book is set in New York (hopefully that's going to be obvious) and centres around two lonely characters called Herman (a crocodile) and Rosie (a deer). I don't want to give too much away just yet but it's a dual narrative story about music, the city, connectedness and it has a horribly tragic ending. Actually I just made that last bit up. Wouldn't that be different! Anyway, in this scene above the two are watching the world whiz by. This is actually a cafe/restaurant I frequented in New York last November. It's a long way from finished (I have a bunch of animals to draw yet and some collage will replace line work) but it might give you an idea about how I work. This book is very much a mixed media book - specifically collage. I'm using all sorts of things; old papers, graph papers, photos and vintage engravings. Also a lot of crayon because I just love crayon. Especially my new Sennelier oil pastels. They are beautiful! I am having the most fun I have ever had with a book.
And here's a couple of finished illustrations - one from the start of the book and one much later.
 |
| Click to embiggen |
 |
| Click to embiggen |
Reader Comments (10)
Looks gorgeous. Can't wait to see the whole lot.
Thanks Sally, that's nice of you. I'm looking forward to seeing the whole lot too, believe me! Enjoying the process though. Hope you're well. x
Woo!
Wendy is one of Oscar & Friends all time favourite books! Can't wait for Herman & Rosie
Thank you! You guys have been great supporters of Wendy. Looking forward to seeing Herman & Rosie in your bookstore. Thanks for coming over to the blog for a look!
LOL! See GG there're more than just me readin' your blog! The book is looking gorgeous (of course), love the sample illo. I think you need to have a Melbourne launch, don't you?? Some Puffin gals and a splash of Moet to wet the heads of Herman and Rosie? Stay in the zone. Stay happy. jxx
Hi Jen! Ha! Yeah, some peoples must have been lurking. Surprised me.
Yeah, a Melbourne launch sounds absolutely essential! Will definitely do something down there. Hopefully we will catch up before the release at some stage.
Veuve is my pick. That stuff is honey in a jar!
GG x
I wish your books were available in the U.S.!
Hi Ben. Yeah, I wish they were too - thanks! The US picture book market is a tough market to sell into. Hopefully this will change soon. I now have an agent in New York so finger's crossed. Actually, the next book I'm working on is a picture book for Penguin US so you will see something soon. Thanks for dropping by.
Love that miasma of noise and smog and the wrought iron(ical) street lamp. You're so clever. Wish we'd caught up during that last Brizvegas trip.
Hey Chris! Miasma! Now that's a word I don't use often (never). Thanks for introducing it for the first time on my blog and for your kind words.
Yeah, we missed each other in both Brissy and the Ipswich festival. Funny that you met Jo! I didn't have your number - tried looking it up but couldn't find it. I did ring a grumpy old person though. Next time I'll just knock on some doors. Brissy ain't that big.