So, the question is . . .

What is his song???

Takin' a breather

I took a few minutes this morning to paint something out of my norm. I really think it's valuable to take a breather from deadlines and just enjoy making an image. That's why we're illustrators, right? We love making good images.  Below is a quick painting from a photo I had sitting on my desktop. When painting from a photo like this, I try and find a way to enhance what is working well in the original image . . . while painting this, it was really relaxing. I felt kinda like I was getting a message. Though, I've never had a massage, but I can imagine what it's like: painting a small farm church at dusk. . . ?  :)

Website Update 2012

Hey hey . . . I have a website update to share. And a few new illos up on there as well. Hope you like what's up. :)

www.brandondorman.com

Axel the Truck

I was venting to my 6 year old son about how each day goes by so fast and before I know it, it's been a month or more since I posted last.  "Yeah Dad, I know, theses days are just like cheetahs!"

One of the projects that has caused these "cheetah days," is a new "I can read" series by Greenwillow Books called Axel the Truck.  The first two books are done . . . all 45 illustrations. I had a great time working on them. The only twist here, is that they are digital only.  The download is available for the ipad on itunes and for the Nook on Barnes & Noble.  And what's even more cool, is the second book is FREE for a limited time! Check it out. :)

Quick Sketch

Here's a quick sketch  . . . since I just noticed it's been over a month with no posts. :)

Later!

Horrorland Covers

Just thought I would post up a few Horrorland covers I did within the last year. I really enjoy working on all the Goosebumps covers.  I hope you like the artwork. In truth, the concepts for these are very specifically directed by Scholastic.  The team there is great to work with. :)

Greenwillow Books and I . . .

have been in search of a special character to develop some books around.  This was one of the sketches I did.  We've decided against a using a little dog character though.

Later!

Janitors

Here's a cover I did a few months ago for a new series by Tyler Whitesides, called Janitors.  Really fun story. Check out the trailer at the bottom. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB1VQJ2W6Yg

From Pirates to Prettiness

I know this is quite the jump; from pirates to a pretty portrait . . . but I like to mix things up a bit every so often. :)

Avast Me Maties! Today Be Da Day!

Today be da day that Cap'n Bones and his briny crew set sail!  My brand-new picture book Pirates of the Sea! hits stores today!

My goal was create a pirate book that was traditionally based, but showed as much as possible about what pirates encounter while at sea.  Honestly, I was caught off guard at how long the process can be trying to write a picture book in rhyme and using pirate talk. None the less, this book was a blast to create.

Just a few faqs:

- The writing process for Pirate's of the Sea! took about 6 months.

- Illustrating the whole book took about 4 months.

- For most of the writing and illustrating process the title was A Pirate's Life for Me! Until we decided we didn't want to tempt the sue-happy Disney Corp. 

- I think there are 23 different pirate names included.

- Originally the manuscript was about a pirate captain named Jack Batbone, who got a message from his crew that his days were numbered. Captain Jack took it as a mutiny letter and was prepared to walk the plank. Come to find out, it's birthday party for their Captain not a mutiny. This idea was liked, and I thought it was really fun, but with a little research we found that "birthday" books haven't sold that well historically. So, we still liked the pirate theme, but it was back to the drawing board.

My hope is that all those who open this book's pages can't help but crack a smile at least once.  I personally think the best way to share this story is out loud and in the best swashbucklin' pirate voice ye can muster. :)

Progress on Snow Angels

Here's a look at some progress with Snow Angels by Angel Randall. :)

While waiting

While waiting for a file to upload and save, this sketch was born. Nothing special, but if and when I have a few minutes I try to stay away from craiglist and seahawks.com and be productive. . .

More Than Just a Book

One of the many great books I'm working on presently is Snow Angels, written by Angel Randall. Though the setting is covered in snow, the book tells a warm story of two girls who help others. But the background behind this children's book is what really pulls at the heart stings. The author, Angel Randall is from Utah and near one year ago her doctors found a cancerous brain tumor.  At the time, the doctors told her it was terminal and gave her 6 to 9 months to live. But last week my wife and I were blessed to meet with her and her family.  In just a short time, we easily saw how angelic she really is. It is a true honor to be illustrating her picture book. 

   

BYU Football Team - Thursday's Hero  

Just Draw

In our house cupid has been run out by two little boys that weld Nerf guns.

The Golden Fleece

Heres a look at a repackage I did for Aladdin. :)

Over the past little while

I've had a great time working on a book series called Pals in Peril.  Here is a look at the most recent of the four jackets I've illustrated.  Much of what makes these books so fun to illustrate are the stories. The brilliant author Tobin Anderson, packs so much action, humor and all-out craziness in these books there is never a shortage of cover ideas.  The only challenge  is choosing which amazing scene to use. :)  This is one of the most recent jackets we finished. 

Thought I would

share this painting I did from the most recent Christmas book The Forgotten Carols. Merry Christmas!

It's Time . . .

for a new post.

He looks like an Albert . . . no?

Shiver me Timbers! Here it be!

Wow! I honestly can not believe this day has come. This afternoon at 12:32 I sent Greenwillow Books the final piece of art for my new picture book Pirates of the Sea! I am like, tingling. I am super excited about this book!

For the last 2 months I have been painting as fast and furiously as possible, continually working late in to the night until I could not hold my eyes open any longer (I thought about trying the toothpick thing, but that's a little risky). And then today came.  I'm done. Whoa. Crazy!

This is my second picture book I've both authored and illustrated. So, it's all on me baby. No blaming some other stinky writer if it crashes and burns. But it won't (I hope).  How can it? What better recipe is there out there than a picture book about Pirates?  

It releases the first part of May 2011.

Still going on Pirates!

I think when this book is finally all wrapped up, I'll have had my fill of salty sea-dogs - at least for a while. :)

Row and row and row!

Since Greenwillow posted this spread on their blog I'm assuming it's ok to share here.  This is one of the spreads from Pirates of the Sea.  My pirate picture book I'm painting fast and furiously!

Falcon Quinn Book 2

Just wanted to post the cover art for the next Falcon Quinn book.  It was a fun one to do.  It's a great read with lots of cool monsters. :)

Later!

Pirates on the Brain

So, with the Christmas book wrapped up, I'm in full fledge pirate book mode.  My oldest son now answers many of my questions with "Argh matey!" Sometimes that is a "yes." Sometimes it's a "no." And sometimes it's an, "I don't want to answer your question or request." 

We've all got pirates on the brain.

A Picture Book Summer

I must say this is a summer I will never forget.  Two days ago I sent in 15 paintings (done in 6 weeks) for a picture book written by Michael McClean, I have another picture book due in 8 weeks, last week returned from a wonderful experience at the world renown Mazza Museum for picture book art, Just got a manuscript for a picture book about a snowman, and last, and the most important off all, have begun filling our family book of pictures with those of our newborn son.  No, two wasn't enough, we needed 3.  He is being buttered-up by his older brothers so that in the future they can show him the proof that once, a long while back, they were all nice to each other. We are so blessed to have this new addition to our family.

Horrorland Covers

 

Here's a couple more recent covers I did for the Goosebumps Horrorland series.  Currently I'm working on 4 more.  Later!

Scumble

A while back I did a cover for Savvy by Ingrid Law.  It was a Newbery Honor book.  This is the cover art for it's companion Scumble.

Every once in a while . . .

I get a little more realistic.

Pirate Picture Book

I'm super excited to be finally gearing up to illustrate a pirate picture book that I've written.  It won't be out until next year , but here is a drawing I did a while back in anticipation of the book.  Not sure if there will be a character like this or not, but we'll see!

Later!

more from the sketch file. . .

Not really sure how this one came about.

10 minute break from work