Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Naughty Cookies
Halloo there loyal blog readers,
February always seems to disappear. Yes, I know it's shorter than all of the other months, but only by a few days. And yet, somehow, it always seems to zip by me. (March, on the other hand, lasts forever.)
This year, February sped by faster than usual; it was entirely swallowed up by life and work things, and all of my plans got lost in the shuffle... including a wry, tongue-in-cheek, illustrated Valentine's Day post. Alas, instead of illustrated or wry or tongue-in-cheek, this year you're just getting cheeky.
In addition to a hand-illustrated something, Valentine's Day cookies have become an annual tradition for me. I always make an assortment of very silly, rather naughty treats. However, even the cookies were late this year, and so this blog post is a little less than timely. Regardless, enjoy:
February always seems to disappear. Yes, I know it's shorter than all of the other months, but only by a few days. And yet, somehow, it always seems to zip by me. (March, on the other hand, lasts forever.)
This year, February sped by faster than usual; it was entirely swallowed up by life and work things, and all of my plans got lost in the shuffle... including a wry, tongue-in-cheek, illustrated Valentine's Day post. Alas, instead of illustrated or wry or tongue-in-cheek, this year you're just getting cheeky.
In addition to a hand-illustrated something, Valentine's Day cookies have become an annual tradition for me. I always make an assortment of very silly, rather naughty treats. However, even the cookies were late this year, and so this blog post is a little less than timely. Regardless, enjoy:
The full assortment
Close-ups
Rainbows!
Stars and bows
And don't forget the duckies
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sketchbook Thursday
Hey there blog readers.
It's been a while since I've done a sketchbook post, and it just so happens to be a lovely Thursday... so why not?
I've been playing around with a new manuscript, and as of Tuesday night, I have just finished my first thumbnail dummy and started character designs. While I like the images, the pacing, the compositions, and the page turns in the dummy, the manuscript (I am quickly realizing) needs a major overhaul. That being said, (as I dutifully open Word,) I'm still having a ton of good old fashioned sketchbook fun with a handful of new characters... and yes, one of them is an 8 ft tall alligator. Well... 8 ft tall when he doesn't slouch.
His name is Randall.
I've been playing around with a new manuscript, and as of Tuesday night, I have just finished my first thumbnail dummy and started character designs. While I like the images, the pacing, the compositions, and the page turns in the dummy, the manuscript (I am quickly realizing) needs a major overhaul. That being said, (as I dutifully open Word,) I'm still having a ton of good old fashioned sketchbook fun with a handful of new characters... and yes, one of them is an 8 ft tall alligator. Well... 8 ft tall when he doesn't slouch.
His name is Randall.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tu BiShevat
Hey there blog readers,
I recently did an illustration for a Jewish children's magazine about Tu B'Shevat. Tu B'Shevat marks the beginning of spring in Israel, and the New Year for trees; more or less, it's the Jewish equivalent of Arbor Day.
Usually around this time of year, New York is quite chilly, and we planned a playful winter illustration about the holiday. Trees feature prominently in the background, and the snowman's basket contains all kinds of traditional foods - barley, wheat, grapes, pomegranates, olives, dates, and figs.
Another Tu B'Shevat tradition includes planting trees, or if you live in a usually cold (though-currently-unseasonably-warm) place, donating to orgs that plant trees elsewhere.
Trees!
Jewish National Fund
Arbor Day Foundation
Trees!
Jewish National Fund
Arbor Day Foundation
Friday, February 3, 2012
Paper cranes
I've been back from visiting my sister for not quite a week yet, and it's already been a bit of a rocky homecoming. Two days after I arrived, I received some incredibly sad news. A college friend had passed away.
I have been struggling with how to process it. Between the cancer diagnosis late last year, her death earlier this week, and the funeral yesterday in D.C., I feel all wrung out. Words fail me as I try to write this.
She was an extraordinary person bent on saving the planet and helping anyone and everyone. She had a smile that could light up a room, and today the world is just a little bit darker.
I have been struggling with how to process it. Between the cancer diagnosis late last year, her death earlier this week, and the funeral yesterday in D.C., I feel all wrung out. Words fail me as I try to write this.
She was an extraordinary person bent on saving the planet and helping anyone and everyone. She had a smile that could light up a room, and today the world is just a little bit darker.
Kirby Capen
(1983-2012)