Happy Valentine Day

 Happy Valentine Day 

Happy women's Day / Mother's Day

Happy Women's Day / Mother's Day  

Frogs Under the Moon

Day 21 of INKTOBER "Drain"

 

Day 21

of

 INKTOBER

 "Drain" 

Frogs are on the move "The Process"

 

Starting line and color study

 

 

finished line and color study 

 

 

First attempt

 

First attempt part 2

 

 

First attempt part 3 realizing maybe not what I am looking for.

 

First attempt part 4 100% sure not happy

 

Second attempt

 

 

Second attempt part 1 Happy!

 

Second attempt part 2 watching it crash and burn

 

Second attempt part 3 Cant let go trying to make it work

 

Second attempt part 4 its over will restart in the AM

 

 

Finished Artwork third time is the charm 

Mr. Sporn

 

In 1989 an animation company based in NYC adapted

"The Story of the Dancing Frog"

by Quentin Blake

 

Directed by Michael Sporn

of

Michael Sporn Studio

 

The talent that was working for Michael's studio was amazing.

I always felt privileged to have met and work side by side with so many talented artist.

 I still have friends in the field, its no longer the same now most work is done from home. The days of the studio seems to be a thing of the past.

(sad)

One year ago today I received a phone call Michael past away this morning.

His long fight with cancer was over.

I lost someone very special that day , you are missed Mr. Sporn.

   

 

   

Illustration Friday "SWAMP"

"SWAMP"

At the

 Spirogyra Literary/Illustration Agency

Mr. Green Swamp

was overwhelmed by his slush pile.

 ________________________________________________________________

New books that came in the mail

In the last couple of weeks I received two out of the three books I was hoping to receive in the mail.

The first book is “Photoshop CS5 in easy steps” this book just made my life a little bit easier, I used the CS2 version to help me understand how that program worked; so it was a no brainer when I realized that this newer version changed enough that it took me an (1) hour to find how to cut paste and resize a head from one body to a new body then I couldn’t remember how I did it. Frustrating!

The other book that just came in the mail is “The Great Song Book” illustrated by Tomi Ungerer I was introduced to Mr. Ungerer artwork through Michael Sporn’s blog post the book is out of print but I was able to buy a copy from a used book dealer.

Sides note: I bought both books from Amazon web site; I have read and was told in the past how some people have had problems with their customer service to this date I have not. On the books I have illustrated sometimes thing are wrong like my name misspelled or no book cover artwork both I don’t understand how that happens but it does. I was told that “Amazon will fix it when they feel like it” well not really true you contact them tell them what is wrong and they fix it within three days. I have sent them the book cover artwork or the correct spelling of my name and it is taken care of simple! I have also had questions on orders I placed and have had nothing but good response from the people I have spoken to.

Illustration from Ferdinand Frog's Flight

The third book I am still waiting for is “Ferdinand Frog’s Flight” this is the last book I illustrated with 4RV Publishing and I am still waiting to see what the finished project looks like. If I can swing the cash there are a couple of contest I would like to summit it too but I’m not going to spend money on purchasing copies of the book if I don’t know what the end product looks like.  

The illustrations in this post are from the “The Great Song Book”  I have taken them from Michael Sporn’s Blog or “Splog” post (click me to link)

Frog’s Then & Now

As I still wait for my copies of “Ferdinand Frog’s Flight”

it has given me time to reflect on how far I have evolved as an artist.

 I had to dust off a very old portfolio for this first frog/toad it was done back in the 80’s; it also shows off my sense of humor the title is “Toad Stool” pen and ink with water color and color pencil

Toad Stool

The next one is a frog I never drew I just colored it, the title is "The Dancing Frog” it was an animation project done back in the day at Michael Sporn Animation Studio.  see (Clip)

.

The Dancing Frog

The third I must of done around 2004/05? Not sure also pen and ink with water color (Tree frog) this one was once part of a stock art company I did a little work for.

Tree Frog

 

The fourth “Who Let the Frogs Out?” illustration done in 2007? for Stories for Children Magazine.

Who Let The Frogs Out?

 Also from Stories for Children Magazine "The Surfing Frog" 2009/10?

The Surfing Frog

The sixth is from “The Giving Meadow” picture book I illustrated for 4RV Publishing in 2010

The Giving Meadow

And of course Ferdinand himself who wants to fly

 if the picture book looks anything likes the PDF I have seen it should be stunning to look at.

Ferdinand Frog's Flight

Ferdinand Frog's First Flight

Coming out very soon!

"Ferdinand Frog's Flight"

written by Marvin Mayer

illustrated by "ME" Stephen Macquignon

published by 4RV Publishing

It is about a little frog in a big pond that has even bigger dreams. 

A wonderful story that I enjoyed working on it very much

  more detail to come when it is officially released