Since this is where I got stuck on the last challenge the next few weeks I will be work on this mini illustration challenge.  There are a few things I have in mind, one is creating a pattern for a children’s clothing line idea I have, basically I PJ set with sheets and mini pillow,  I will create 2 of these along with a wall  hanging.

Second I’d like to create a more whimsy style illustration for a project I am thinking about for tweens.  The basis behind this is really cute but I’ll leave the details for the final piece.  There will also be 2 of these. And that will complete my 4 week mini challenge that I can build from.

During the past few weeks working on my illustrations for my portfolio I’ve gone through many changes in ideas and styles.  Yet I always seem to fall back to the same similar style.  So I’m guessing that I’ve found my illustration niche and I’m going to take it and go with it. I’m working on an idea for a book, Dino Dinner.  The writing of this book will be worked on shortly but I had to come up with some illustrations I would like to eventually add to my portfolio.  I have my main character set, Rex the Dinosaur and Roy, a little boy. I don’t want to go too deep into illustration because obviously the story should be written first.  But I think that Roy could probably have a few books.

Here is my main cover, undecided on if this should be it, very simple cover.

This is another illo that will be part of the book, which is Roy sitting with Rex during Dinner.

We’re into week 6 of the 12wc and boy is this kicking my **s. I’ve only gotten 1 illustration complete (well almost complete) and we should be onto #5&6.  Anyway, I’ll catch up at some point I always do The good thing about all of this is I”m really starting to feel out where my designs skills are and where I want to be.  So with out further ado here is my almost complete illustration #1.

So we’re week 5 into the 12 week challenge and I decided that what I was working on just wasn’t in my heart.  So I’ve switched gears and I will be illustrating a series of pieces that I’ve had on the back burner for a while.  Really these pieces are designs that will be sold as prints and cards for now.  Perhaps they will develop into  something more later on.

OK so everything is still in its rough stage blah!  I’m having a little bit of a struggle with my lines.  I started sketching my girls and ended up trying a thicker line and now I’m confused with how they should look.  I really liked my bully and tried the same method on my girls but for some reason it was looking really off. But looking at them side by side…  I think now I’m steering away from my original plan…

Here’s my “bully”, this guy is part of a school yard scene in the making.  I didn’ t realize how difficult this was going to be.  As much as I love this style, I know its nothing new and what I’m trying to relay just doesn’t wanna come out of these hands of mine.

Today I completed my OSGM for Zero2illo, it was tougher than I thought but I did.  And I didn’t realize how helpful something like this would actually be.  After sitting and thinking about my goals it became clear to me how easy achieving those goals can be when you know what your end result will be.  Check it out.

Illustrator, Justin Segal, has this great IF design he did for linked.  You can view his image here, my daughter Rylan loved the image so much she decided to draw it ( she’s 4) check out her version.  I wanted to thank Justin for inspiring Rylan today!

Since I’ve joined Zero2illo, I’ve been having a blast talking to fellow illustrators and learning about how to take the next step to becoming a professional illustrator. I started scanning in all my doodles and I’ll be posting or trying to post, my daily doodles. You can check them out here for now but I’ll also be posting them on my blog.

Find more photos like this on Zero 2 Illo

So as an update to my post about the excitement of this 12 week challenge, I’ve given myself the time to really think about what I really want to do.  I love children’s books.  I’ve always had a passion for illustration, but I never gave myself the opportunity to really work with it. I’m a doodler at heart, and I love LOVE art. I can’t wait to share with everyone the adventures and artwork I produce during this challenge.