Painting a Rock for a Children's Picture Book

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I’m painting a scene where my characters are walking among huge boulders. I spent an hour trying to paint this rock. But there’s something missing — context. It needs some characters walking past it to give it scale. Standing on its own, it reminds me of a piece of pie. Some areas at the bottom that look okay, but the top looks too smooth. It needs sharp edges where the rock’s facets turn from light to dark.

When I run into a newbie problem like this I eventually remind myself that I’m a rookie at painting and that I’m on the right path. I’m stubborn and curious — I know I’ll get it right if I soldier on. That’s what art soldiers do.

Doodling

Not a lot to say today. I started the day with a burst of enthusiasm and optimism and got bogged down in the actual work of getting my characters to look as good as I imagine them. It’s harder than I expected, as usual. By the end of the day I was able to restore my art soldier spirit and continue slogging through the swamp, gaining a small inch movement forward to my March 31 publication deadline.

All that slogging and soul searching led to doodling, which is guaranteed to lift anyone’s spirits.

The Art Soldier Marches on with Another Cover Image Sketch

I’m borrowing the term “art soldier” from Kate Bingaman-Burt. I’m forcing myself to march on even though I feel that I’m knee deep in mud and my legs are weary. Art is War? So be it. Down here in Southern Oregon the war is intensifying as it draws closer to the end. An inch a day is more than a humorous way to describe my progress— and inch a day has become a miracle.

My latest inch…

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