Thanks for sharing so much about your process. It was fascinating and inspirational. I'm excited to read this book (even though all my kids are now teens)! I love being outside on gray days, and I especially love walking in the rain!
I love the way you use your color palette to craft a sense of wonder and beauty that contrasts perfectly with the overcast sky!
Thank you! In a perfect world I'd never have to take the story past the thumbnail stage, where all the book is right there on one page. Which is why I draw comics, I suppose...
Thank you Grant for this nostalgic journey into your process and picture book creation. It instantly prompted my mind to wander backwards in time to those days of boredom that evolved into something so special through neighbourhood exploration. Your illustrative style is gorgeous and heartwarming
That means a lot, Heather. Thanks! The feeling of nostalgia is a big part of reading and creating picture books for me. I want the story to be a true place that one can revisit again and again - just like a good memory.
Yes, I often feel I can't be creative WITHOUT some kind of constraint: whether page dimensions, color scheme, or some self-imposed writing structure. Trying to choose from hundreds of shades of colored pencil and marker, I feel like I'm lost in the color wheel. So I bought half a dozen pencils of the primary colors and supplemented with a bunch of cool and warm grays. I was also inspired by THE STORM by Akiko Miyakoshi which has an excellent limited palette.
Thanks for sharing so much about your process. It was fascinating and inspirational. I'm excited to read this book (even though all my kids are now teens)! I love being outside on gray days, and I especially love walking in the rain!
I love the way you use your color palette to craft a sense of wonder and beauty that contrasts perfectly with the overcast sky!
Thank you Jason! I appreciate the message and hope you enjoy the book.
I like the sound of this very much - what a great message to spread! I enjoy spending time at my local urban river noticing the small things...
Thank you, Jane!
The wonderful thumbnail sketches make it look like a Sketchography journal
Thank you! In a perfect world I'd never have to take the story past the thumbnail stage, where all the book is right there on one page. Which is why I draw comics, I suppose...
So looking forward to reading this one! The way you talk about it reminds me of my own childhood days of exploring on my bike.
Thank you, Rebecca! Glad it evoked those memories.
Thank you Grant for this nostalgic journey into your process and picture book creation. It instantly prompted my mind to wander backwards in time to those days of boredom that evolved into something so special through neighbourhood exploration. Your illustrative style is gorgeous and heartwarming
That means a lot, Heather. Thanks! The feeling of nostalgia is a big part of reading and creating picture books for me. I want the story to be a true place that one can revisit again and again - just like a good memory.
Yes, I often feel I can't be creative WITHOUT some kind of constraint: whether page dimensions, color scheme, or some self-imposed writing structure. Trying to choose from hundreds of shades of colored pencil and marker, I feel like I'm lost in the color wheel. So I bought half a dozen pencils of the primary colors and supplemented with a bunch of cool and warm grays. I was also inspired by THE STORM by Akiko Miyakoshi which has an excellent limited palette.
Glad to hear that! Yes, you are an artist, as is everyone who takes an idea from start to finish. Hope it continues to inspire you.