Picture books

[Clinozoisite]

I like the character sketches, too. They've got a modern cartoon feel, without being completely anime-esque.

[FanChan]

I like the character sketches, too. They've got a modern cartoon feel, without being completely anime-esque.

It isn't the style I'm looking for, but thanks for saying it. The eyes make the difference, I think. I need to do a study of children's hairstyles, as well as figure out how other people do other facial features, as the noses and mouths still remind me too much of anime. The biggest effort is going to be in the clothes. I like realism in my work, so it's difficult for me to make something simple. The sister is the only one I was really happy with in her simplicity, even if she was too short :p

[Clinozoisite]

It isn't the style I'm looking for, but thanks for saying it.

While I do believe that you should make it whatever style you are most comfortable with, from a marketing perspective, this seems like a good mix of new and old. Kids nowadays are very used to the anime style of drawing, so are probably more likely to read a book with those type of illustrations. But if you're still trying to appeal to their more traditional parents, your current style (with some moderate alterations) seems like an excellent middle ground. Good luck with your project! I'd love it if you could post some more concept art as you draw it.

[FanChan]

While I do believe that you should make it whatever style you are most comfortable with, from a marketing perspective, this seems like a good mix of new and old. Kids nowadays are very used to the anime style of drawing, so are probably more likely to read a book with those type of illustrations. But if you're still trying to appeal to their more traditional parents, your current style (with some moderate alterations) seems like an excellent middle ground. Good luck with your project! I'd love it if you could post some more concept art as you draw it.

I'll certainly keep posting work as I do it. The thing is, I don't think this drawing style will fit with the ink and watercolour style I want to do. The more I study the earlier works, Pooh and Babar and Madeline, the more I get a vision of what I'd like my work to look like. It's just a matter of being able to transcribe that vision onto paper, without my eight years of manga drawing getting in the way, you know? The steps I take when I draw people all lead to manga. I have to break myself of those habits. But anyhow. I decided to use the image of the Sister storytelling as my guage. I'll continue re-drawing it to see where my style takes me, so there will be something to compare and contrast with.

[FanChan]

As promised, here's what I've done today. I haven't re-done that scene yet, since my shoulder's ache is making it hard to draw. But this is what I've got.


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/rhiakolareny/picture%20books/ScannedImage-5.jpg

[Chibi Rachy]

Definitely love the work in progress. Can't wait to see more ^_^

[FanChan]

Thanks, Rachy!


Got bored, so I re-did the scene in the newer style anyway. I think it looks quite adorable ^_^ I might keep working on it, if only to adjust the school uniforms, though I doubt I'll want to redraw the whole scene again just for that, not unless I come up with a better style in the meantime.



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/rhiakolareny/picture%20books/ScannedImage-6.jpg