Brandon Dorman

So, the question is . . .

2012-01-30T11:17:00.000-08:00

What is his song???

Takin' a breather

2012-01-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

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

2011-09-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

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

Later!

Horrorland Covers

2011-07-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2011-07-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-04-26T09:38:00.001-07:00

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

2011-04-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

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

While waiting

2011-04-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-07T14:01:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-09T07:56:00.000-08:00

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

The Golden Fleece

2011-01-26T10:46:00.000-08:00

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

Over the past little while

2011-01-17T11:11:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

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

It's Time . . .

2010-12-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

for a new post.

He looks like an Albert . . . no?

Shiver me Timbers! Here it be!

2010-11-12T16:20:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-10-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

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

Scumble

2010-06-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2010-06-24T11:33:00.001-07:00

I get a little more realistic.

Pirate Picture Book

2010-06-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

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. . .

2010-06-03T15:20:00.000-07:00

Not really sure how this one came about.

10 minute break from work

2010-06-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

A quick Saudi guy

2010-05-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

Remember when . . .

2010-05-20T02:52:00.000-07:00

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. . . .

2010-04-30T10:55:00.001-07:00

No Virus Stands a Chance.

2010-04-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

No much out-foxes the Fox.

2010-04-12T06:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I am

2010-04-07T08:10:00.000-07:00

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

Who's Up Fo A Party?

2010-03-22T18:20:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2010-03-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

Pirates.

Photoshop Sketch

2010-03-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

13th Reality Cover

2010-02-26T08:29:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T14:20:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

Another sketch

2010-01-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

Nothing in particular. Just another sketch. :)

Concept sketch

2010-01-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

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. :)

7 weeks and going strong!

2009-12-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Sweater has been on the Best Seller's List for 7 week straight! Have a Merry Christmas!

My Missing "The"

2009-12-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

I have received quite a few emails and comments on about the missing "the" in Santa's Stowaway. Yes, sadly (while in China being printed) one of the "the's" was abducted from the first printing of Santa's Stowaway. However, I've received word from my publisher that we've rescued the poor "the" and it will take it's place once again in the story as Santa's Stowaway is up for reprinting. Yeah!

Elf Dude

2009-12-02T10:01:00.001-08:00

In the spirit of the Christmas season here is a little elf dude. :)

Scooter Lady

2009-11-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

What if the lunch lady scooted around on a little scooter?

Fablehaven 5

2009-11-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

And it's out!

Why A Witch Kicking a Pot?

2009-11-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

Just because!

Inside Story

2009-10-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

So, on Wednesday I was privileged enough to participate in SCBWI's Inside Story held at Third Place book in Lake Forest WA. It was a great event to get to mingle with fellow illustrators, librarians, teachers and booksellers. The local Examiner had a little to say about it here.

The Christmas Sweater

2009-10-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

So, I have another Christmas book coming out. Today, The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck, is out in stores. Glenn has a promo on his site for it, check it out here.

This was a fun one to work on. Not sure how I have two Christmas books coming out this year, but hey, we did it. :)

Inside Story

2009-10-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

This coming Wednesday, Oct. 28th I'll be participating in the SCBWI's Inside Story at Third Place Books in Lake Forest, WA. It's a great opportunity to show off my three picture books I've done this year. If you're a librarian, book seller, teacher and or media person it would be great to see you there!

Just another sketch

2009-10-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

Here's something just sketched up.

Halloween Is Here!

2009-10-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

It seems appropriate to start off October with a post about Halloween. Last year my first Halloween book came out, Halloween Night, and I received and email from a mother with a picture of the pumkins her girls had carved. Anything look familiar? It's always fun to get emails from readers!

Santa's Stowaway

2009-09-17T21:50:00.001-07:00

Alrighty, I think it's about time I got this exciting news up on the blog. Next week my first picture book that I've both authored and illustrated hits the shelves! It's called Santa's Stowaway. I think the 22nd is the offical date.

I wrote Santa's Stowaway as a classic Christmas story that hopefully gives it's readers the "warm fuzzies" over and over each year.

I've updated the site to help get the word out. Hope ya like it.

Later!

Anyone got a tag line?

2009-09-15T08:53:00.001-07:00

A while ago I posted a small B&W illo ( Snorer ) and garnished it with a one line tag line. Thought I would see what one-liner those of you who check the blog out would add to this.

Let's see what'cha got!

Pingo's Big Debut

2009-08-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

Alright! Today is the official publication date for Pingo! Both Brandon Mull and I are super excited to see this book out for everyone to enjoy. I know Brandon Mull is signing copies at the LDS Booksellers Association Convention today. Wish I could be there as well, however I'm finishing up the art for J. Scott Savage's next Farworld book, Land Keep; yet another great read from Shadow Mountain.

Go Pingo, go!

Small Town Church

2009-08-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

Here is something a little different. This cover was for a warm-n-fuzzy story.

Textbook Cover

2009-07-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a text book jacket I did a bit ago. It was fun one to paint up.

Later!

Clip from the sketchbook

2009-07-02T10:14:00.001-07:00

The Uke

2009-06-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

While in Hawaii we stopped by a small shop that sold ukuleles. After a very enthusiastic sales lady and $150 price tag, I was the proud owner of a such an instrument. . .

I can play 5 songs now. So, my son got Happy Birthday ukulele style. :)

Someone is watching . . .

2009-06-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

Just a little sketch.

Pingo is out!

2009-06-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

Online that is. . . . I just ran across this! http://pingobook.com/

You can view every wonderful inch of the book! I hope you all enjoy it!

The Karate Kid

2009-06-01T22:57:00.000-07:00

Mister Miyagi was my mentor as well . . . Hawaii was awesome.

Sketchitysketchsketch-sketchums!

2009-05-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

Pingo!

2009-05-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a spread from Pingo. You can see another on my site. It hits bookstores the first week of August!

Sketchy-Doodle

2009-05-23T09:51:00.001-07:00

Haleakala

2009-05-15T12:21:00.001-07:00

My wife and I visited Maui's Mt. Haleakala yesterday. Pretty sweet view. . . .

Later!

Nothing In Particular

2009-05-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

This wasn't for anything in particular. I started three cone shapes and a couple hours later . . . whala! This is what came out.

Later!

Quick Study

2009-04-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a 15 minute study I did to loosen up. It's crazy how stuff like this helps. Kinda like warming up before playing basket ball (though, I will admit I paint better than I can play ball).

Later!

Few Updates

2009-04-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

Just made a few updates to my site. Not a major change, but a few newer projects and a hint at my picture book coming out for Christmas. Yeah!

Later!

PINGO!

2009-04-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

The last few months have been super busy. One of the books I finished up and am excited about is Pingo . I teamed up with Brandon Mull on this one. It's a funny story about a boy who tries to ditch is imaginary friend as he gets older. However, this imaginary friend won't go quietly.

I think it releases in August. Here's a link to pre-order. :)

Last week the awesome people at Deseret Book sent over the proofs. It's always fun to see this stage of whole process.

I'll post some of the spreads as it gets closer to the release date.

Later!

Sketching Around

2009-04-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a little piece I sketched up while trying to break in a new Photoshop brush. Later!

Bedroom Walls

2009-04-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

Back in High School I loved to make images, and nothing has changed. I asked my parents if I could spray paint my bedroom. To my surprise they said "yes." I just about passed out from the fumes.

I did hundreds of drawings at this little table sitting on two kiddy chairs stacked on top of each other. It's crazy to see what can happen in ten years.

I got my hands on a airbrush and went to town.

Later!

FABLEHAVEN 4 Interior

2009-04-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

Just a look at one of the Chapter Heads I did for the 4th Fablehaven book.

Goosebumps Horrorland

2009-03-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a few of the covers I've done for the new Goosebumps Horrorland series.

Later!

Another Experiment

2009-02-04T13:40:00.000-08:00

A little sparkle to the day

2009-01-19T11:27:00.001-08:00

Just got a note from Igrid Law, the brilliant author of Savvy, that the cover of Savvy was voted "favorite book jacket of 2008" by Publisher's Weekly! It always adds a little sparkle to the day when there's fun news like this.

Just as a heads up, I'm currently working on the jacket art for the sequel to Savvy. Hopefully it will compliment the awesome story once agian.

Later!

Dooooodle

2009-01-15T12:09:00.001-08:00

Isn't doodling just the best thing ever?

FABLEHAVEN 4

2009-01-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to help get the word out about book 4 in the Fablehaven series, I thought I'd post the cover. Though there are a lot of dragons in the book, we went with this huge hydra on the cover. It was a blast to paint! I think it releases in March.

P is for Pirate

2008-12-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

It's about time I posted something, huh?

Did this as I was exploring a new set of characters for a pirate story. Done in Photoshop.

Later!

A Good Look

2008-10-29T22:10:00.000-07:00

Be Glad your Nose is on your Face

2008-10-14T12:15:00.001-07:00

Here's a plug for my latest book I did with Jack Prelutsky. It officially was released in bookstores today (though I think it has been out in some for a week or so).

My illustrations aside, this truly is a great book. Jack's poems are fantastic. Much of his greatest poetry can be found here. One of my favorites is The Frummick and the Frelly.

One thing that most don't know; while Jack and I were doing a joint presentation in Seattle last year, I got up and drew a picture based on what the children there described. While I was up scribbling away, Jack sat back and wrote a short poem about the weird looking creature. You can find The Zubble on page 92.

Here's a link to order on Amazon.

Enjoy!

AL

2008-09-26T12:40:00.001-07:00

FARWORLD

2008-09-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

I want to give a shout out for J. Scott Savage's new release FAR WORLD.

I was privileged to illustrate the jacket art and interiors. This is definitely going to be a series to keep tabs on as there will be 5 books in all.

Snorer

2008-08-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

Pete

2008-08-12T11:43:00.001-07:00

Football Is Coming!

2008-07-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

Though a fan of most sports, I would have to say football season is my favorite. And living near Seattle for most of my life, I proudly proclaim my allegiance to the Seahawks. I consider myself one of the many "12th men", even if most of my contribution comes from my own TV room.

First preseason game is coming up in about a week!

Choir Boy

2008-07-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

I thought this choir boy had a cool look. . . .

Gramps

2008-07-21T16:50:00.001-07:00

Who wouldn't want a trunk instead of a nose?!

Trunkboy

2008-07-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

What if we were born with elephant trunks instead of noses??

Lil' Study

2008-07-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Sneak Peak

2008-06-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

Like I promised, here are a few spreads from BE GLAD YOUR NOSE IS ON YOUR FACE. The 200 pager I worked on with Jack Prelutsky.

The OK

2008-06-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

I received the ok to post some of the work I did for BE GLAD YOUR NOSE IS ON YOUR FACE! I should post it shortly. In the mean time here are a few sketches I've doodled out this last week.

Later!

Ol' Monkey Breath

2008-05-27T23:40:00.000-07:00

Uncle Bill

2008-05-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

Be Glad your Nose is on your Face

2008-05-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted, and as many notice, I'm really not very consistent with my posts or comments. But this last month I have a valid excuse. For the last 5 weeks I've been literally consumed by one book. BE GLAD YOUR NOSE IS ON YOUR FACE. It's about a 200 page book with 113 poems by the poet laureate Jack Prelutsky. Yes, the very same who authored, THE WIZARD. In this wonderful compilation, I illustrated all 113 poems; some with simple spot art and others with full spread paintings. Even though the time frame was wild and crazy, this was an awesome book to work on. I think the release date is set for this October. It also comes with a CD of Jack reading some of the poems along with games and activities inside.

As soon as I can get the ok, I'll post some previews.

Later!

Goosebumps on Today Show

2008-04-22T23:38:00.000-07:00

Last year I started working on a new series of GOOSEBUMPS books. You know, the scary kids books that get boys to read! The renowned and bestselling author R.L. Stine has come out with GOOSEBUMPS HORRORLAND. For about ten months I've had the privlege of painting 12 new covers for some of the old GOOSEBUMPS titles along with those for HORRORLAND. This morning on the Today Show, First Lady, Laura Bush hosted R.L. Stine as they talked about the series. I'd been given a tip that they might print some large posters to display in the background of my covers, but in the end they just showed a few snapshots, but heck, my artwork on national television . . .?! I'll take it! Check out the clip here.

humm. . . .

2008-04-20T23:10:00.000-07:00