Billie B Brown 16: The Copycat Kid

 

A brief post on the 16th book of Billie B Brown series, "The Copycat kid" . Mika, a new Japanese student joins Billie's class and Billie is appointed to be her buddy.

Illustrating this book reminded me of when I immigrated to New Zealand with my family 22 years ago. I really hated everything about being Japanese, I just wanted to fit in and be a kiwi, so I tried so hard to hide my japanese-ness (impossible really). I was 8 then, I didn't copy anyone's outfit but I did copy friend's essays (only during primary school!!)... while I let them copy my math answers and let me do their art works. A fair deal I thought at the time. 

 

Cover Rough

Billie and friends checking out the new student

Mika and Billie's introduction

Billie not so happy about being Mika's Buddy

Go Girl 11: Birthday Girl

 

A rather a late post on the May release of 11th book in the Go Girl Relaunch series "Birthday Girl" written by Meredith Badger and published by Hardie Grant Egmont. Today is MY BIRTHDAY so maybe today is the perfect day to be posting about this???? :)

Big 30th for me! Feeling very old.....

Go Girl relaunch series are re-release of the old Go Girl series, which has been a really successful hit by the young girls. So Hardie Grant Egmont decided to republish the series with a totally new look, ie. re-illustrated by ME, and they have been releasing new titles since 2011. Above was the original illustration used for the cover of this book.

 

Using the original image as a reference, reading through the book and with the guidance of the lovely editor  here are the work process for the new cover illustration.

Once the cover is approved I moved onto the internal illustrations. Below are some roughs.

SCRS 2nd Anniversary Hop

 Welcome to the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps 2nd Anniversary Hop! I can't believe that it has already been two years since Sparkle has selected me to illustrate for her stamp company. I love illustrating the 8 characters we've came up with together, seeing them being released monthly and used to create wonderful cards and crafts by the talented stampers!

Not only are we here to help Sparkle celebrate 2 years of SCRS, but we are also officially releasing 4 new SCRS images this month -- Birthday Cake Emily, Festive Rin, Party Time Oliver, and Your Highness Lucy. They are ALL available in the store NOW!

We have assembled an all-star lineup consisting of our Current Design Team, DT Alumni and Guest Designers. If you happened here by chance, you are in the right place...the hop starts HERE -- please see the complete list below.

What's a hop without prizes? We've hidden TEN single stamp prizes along the way and one lucky winner will win the ENTIRE July release! All you need to do is leave some love at every stop along the hop. You have until 11:59 PM EST on Sunday to leave comments for a chance to win! Winners will be announced on the SCRS blog on Monday. Good luck to all and Happy Hopping!

Lastly, above is a little "Happy 2nd Anniversary" illustration I came up with using the four new releases. Below are their rough stages!  

Lily Chases Lost Dreams

I have been putting blogging off a bit now I have so many books that has been released during the past months to announce! Today I'm featuring the 5th book in the "Lily the Littlest Angel" series "Lily Chases Lost Dreams", written by Elizabeth Pulford and published by Scholastic.

I enjoy illustrating the Lily series as I can bring in more elements of fantasy into my illustrations, unlike the "real" worlds of Billie B Brown or the Go Girl series. Of course I enjoy working on all series, but it's nice to get variety of themes, even within the young girls series, as I can poke into different parts of my creative mind to come up with images.

 

 Like for almost all the series books the covers are completed and sent to 

the publishers before I actually get to read the manuscript. 

For this cover I was briefed for "Image featuring Lily and the box of dreams". 

Above are two roughs I came up with.

 Inked and coloured! 

This was sent through to Scholastic and their talented designer put the 

rest of the cover together :)

 Usually about a month later I receive the manuscript and brief for the internal illustrations.

 

Meet Ella and Bella. The mischievous twins!

And couple more images I enjoyed doing :)

Especially Angel Freddy Fingaling. 

He appeared in the 3rd book as a bus driver. 

Check out his funky flower phone! 

Lastly I am happy to announce that Scholastic has released two Bind ups for Lily books 1 & 2 and 3&4!

Sparkle Creations May Preview: Mama Charlotte

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps has previewed their final May release yesterday with Mama Charlotte stamp!All new stamps are now available to buy from the SCRS store! Sparkle is giving away Mama Charlotte to one lucky winner, to find out how follow this link!

As you can see I started off with a sitting image but for the final design Sparkle requested for a standing Charlotte :) Check out some of the lovely creations by the talented design team!

Simonne Clay

Alice Werts

Kerri Michaud

Another exciting news! I just came back from grocery shopping just before and I was so happy to find this in my post box!

I designed this Tshirt for SCRS when they took part in the CHA 2012 Winter Conference & Trade Show. Printed is Lucy integrated with the Sparkle Creations Logo.

Check out this post I wrote previously, it shows the work process for this image!

Billie B Brown 15: Pocket Money Blues

A rather belated update on some of Billie B Brown series' new releases. First up is the 15th book in the series "Pocket Money Blues!"

As usual I have a soft spot for Billie. I just love illustrating her. Reaching the 15th book is such a privilege, every new book I try to bring in some sort of continuity from the previous ones (repeated wardrobe, Noah slowly growing etc) it really does make the Billie world become alive!

Above is the primilary sketch and the initial colouring of the cover image. As you can see some changes were made to reach the final design.

Above: a rough that was never used..

In stead adjustments were made as below.

Billie works really hard in this book, with a lot of support from Jack, to earn enough pocket money to buy something she really wants. I suppose this concept is something most people go through in their childhood, but since I lived on a farm (no shops and nowhere to buy anything) I was very scared of the idea of spending money. Everytime we went into town to buy something it was a family occasion and I remember mum getting frustrated as both my sister and I could never decide on what we want, whether it be buying new clothes or buying new schoolbag.

The very first time that I used a eftpos card was when I turned 18 and left home for university. I must say I was very very nervous. Everyone expects you to know how to make a transaction, for me it was like when a child moves on from playing houses with plastic cups and imaginary meals to suddenly preparing a real dinner for four in a real kitchen. And money is a serious deal and I was very careful not to press the "wrong" button, as if I will blow something up or lose everything in my bank if I have pressed something wrong. sheesh

Anyway I was very happy when I received this new Billie package in the post! Billie Money Box! There's 8 Billie books inside it too! I haven't seen it here in New Zealand so I'm assuming this is only sold in Australia. I will write about the other Billie release next time!

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps May Preview

Gosh how time fly by. Sorry for being absent from my blog space, been rather swamped with work!

Anyway, its time for Sparke Creations Rubber Stamps' monthly preview. For those who don't know I illustrate the rubber stamps for the SCRS store and each month Sparkle (the lovely owner) releases two new stamps. And her talented design team showcase their craft skills using the new stamps!

Today SCRS is previewing Expecting Emily stamp! Sparkle is giving away a stamp to one lucky winner so follow this link to find out how! All new stamps will be available to buy on Saturday 12th May 2012.
In the mean time check out some of the beautiful cards the design team has come up with!

Amber Hight

Danielle Lounds

Naomi Gong

Now I am feeling guilty as I have missed last months' preview! I hope it's not too late to showcase Ballerina Ruby and Baseball Oliver stamps! Both available from the SCRS store!

And check out some of these cards created by the talented craft makers! It so inspiring seeing how my black and white line drawings are transformed into colourful cards!
You can check out more at SCRS Facebook page!