A Herman & Rosie teaser

On the way home the city seemed darker and louder and busier than usual.

Herman didn't feel like playing his oboe that night.

I am working away madly on my new picture book, 'Herman and Rosie' at the moment, which is due for release through Penguin next year. We are about to go away for a northern holiday (chasing the sun) so am working around the clock trying to do as much as possible before we leave - why is it always like this? Will no doubt fall in a heap on the plane and catch some disease that no one's heard of since the fall of Rome. Anyway, I thought I might post up an illustration before I left just to keep you in the loop. I'm going to blog about the whole process as I go - if you would like me to! Especially when I have more time.

This is a scene in the book where Herman loses his job and has lost his way. It's probably the 'blueist' part of the story in many ways. It's definitely bleak. I guess that's fairly obvious. I kept the city out of it mostly -  just a New York lamp post and a mail box. I didn't think I needed much else. There are plenty of other city spreads along the way. My dark cloud kind of shocked me a little at first but I've grown used to it. Hopefully it isn't too scary. I had fun with my fonts and even got out my oft-neglected rubber stamps. There's something very satisfying about using a rubber stamp isn't there? Then again, maybe that's just my 'home-craft' geek talking. Get out your crochet hooks we have oven mitts to make!

Looking forward to immersing myself in it all when I get back but for now I must find the sun. See you when I get back.

Comments

[Stephanie Roth Sisson]

The illustration is just perfect! He looks so dejected and the off kilter mailbox, dark sky and lamp are just right.

Good luck getting it all done and have a blast on your vacation in the sun.

[Gus Gordon]

Thank you Stephanie! Glad you don't think it's too dark. I was a little worried at first but I got a nice email from my agent in NY and he tells me it gets like that on some days so I thought, stuff it, I'll go with it. You know the feeling when you're too close to get a balanced perspective. It's easy to over think these things, too.

Cheers! Looking forward to wearing the shorts again.