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

A quick Saudi guy

Remember when . . .

tying your shoes was a giant accomplishment? Yeah, I can't either. :)  This is a sketch I did while waiting patiently for a very large file to upload to Simon and Shuster's ftp site.

Arrggh. . . .

No Virus Stands a Chance.

No much out-foxes the Fox.

Sometimes when I am

sitting at my desk and just can't come up with any ideas, I feel like this . . . :)

Who's Up Fo A Party?

Tomorrow is the long awaited Fablehaven Book 5 release Party.  Shadow Mountain and Brandon Mull are have quite a show planned.  So if you're anywhere near Cottonwood High School in Murry Utah, come on down, or up, or over. There's no admission. It'll be in the auditorium at 6:30 tomorrow ( the 23rd ).  Promise you won't be disappointed.

See you there!

I Just Can't Get Away From . . .

Pirates.

Photoshop Sketch

13th Reality Cover

Here's a cover I just got done working on for Jame's Dahner's The 13th Reality. Cool? It was fun to do :) It was a bit of a rush ( when I say a rush, think, 2 days ) because I did a completely different cover over a much more reasonable schedule, but as fate would have it the 1st cover went all the way to the top and was thrown out -- well maybe "thrown out" is to harsh because I think the plan is to use it inside, but it was decided that we needed a different direction.  I'm grateful to the Shadow Mountain team that they asked me to the second cover. Often if the 1st get's the axe, the publishers will throw the baby out with the bathwater and hire a different illustrator.  So, thanks for the second chance Shadow Mountain.

Later :)  

Hairball

I've had a few emails and questions about how I paint.  I do all my work now in Photoshop along with a lot of sketches. One of these days I'll do a tutorial, if there is any interest out there? . . . one of these days. :)

And another

Another sketch

Nothing in particular.  Just another sketch. :)

Concept sketch

I was trying to come up with a little character for a story I have bounding around in my head.  This is what came out.  :)