jessicaevans915

Cover Reveal

Here’s the final cover for the book I just finished illustrating: NOT FINISHED YET, by Sharon Garlough Brown. Available for pre-order at IVP Kids or Amazon.

Have you ever seen a duck swimming smoothly on a pond? It glides along gracefully, but beneath the water, its feet are paddling like mad. Visually simple to the eye, complex below the surface. A manuscript can be that way too. If the narrative consists of two people having a conversation, it may appear toContinue reading “Stormy Emotional Story Arc”

1-2-3. A post about process.

Here’s another peek into my book illustration process. Here’s a very rough sketch from my first pass at the manuscript. This was for the art director’s eyes only. This way I could make sure I’m on the right track early without investing too much time into each drawing. If I have to completely pitch thisContinue reading “1-2-3. A post about process.”

Remembering

The little girl in this illustration is trying to remember something. I can’t post all the illustrations I finish, but this one was extra fun! #NotFinishedYetBook by Sharon Brown is coming out from InterVarsity Press in 2024. #watercolor#kidlit#kidlitart#childrensbooks#childrensbookillustration#childrensillustration#process

Painting Process

I’m rolling right along with the #NotFinishedYetBook illustrations. Here’s a shot of the early stages of the painting and a bit of video with me painting an eyebrow.

Guest Artist

YOU GUYS!! I’m a guest artist on a drawing show! Justin Hatcher is amazing! I’m so excited about this show! https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7079919101795581952

Déjà vu and Deadlines

As I was finishing a color/texture background for the book I’m currently illustrating, I suddenly had a sense of déjà vu. I’ve seen this before. Somewhere. I’ve MADE this before! My family saw it too. We all recognized its similarity to a fun little illustration I rendered over 20 years ago for the Appaloosa JournalContinue reading “Déjà vu and Deadlines”

Antique Fixative

Pretty sure this is the workable fixative I used in college (we won’t mention how long ago THAT was. Ahem.) But I need to work another layer on this piece, so here we go… #NotFinishedYetBook by Sharon Brown (release date, 2024 by IVP Kids ). #illustrationprocess #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #workablefixative #grumbacher

Down-sizing

Now that I have my color script established, I’m getting ready to put paint on paper. Yay! But my Arches, bright white, 300 lb, cold press paper is too big for the gator board I’ll be stretching it onto. It’s a bit fussy to get out the Exact-o knife, so…

Color Script

The sketches have been approved for the book I’m illustrating! The next step is a color script. I chose a color palette based on the Van Gogh paintings on the art studio’s walls in the book. Coming up: prepping to watercolor! #NotFinishedYetBook by Sharon Garlough Brown (release date, 2024 by IVP Kids). #illustrationprocess #kidlit #kidlitartContinue reading “Color Script”