In the Mud by Jason Kirschner

I haven't posted on this group blog in a while. I've been off in the "dayjob" world and my fellow bloggers have been kind enough to deal me out of the rotation for a bit. (I mixed metaphors. I know. I'm ok with it.) But it's my turn today, and since we all know that I consider this blog the closest I get to therapy, I thought I'd share what's on my mind.

I have recently been taking a break. Not only from this blog but from creating kidlit altogether. Since the end of the summer, I haven't really written or drawn anything that could potentially end up as a book of any sort.  I was tired and I felt I was spinning my wheels but getting nowhere. I started a new season of tv at "dayjob world" and told myself I just didn't have the time but I think I was making excuses. I think I was just a bit burnt out. I doodled a bit here and there and wrote down random story ideas or plot points but nothing really constructive.

And then October rolled in. I forced myself to try Inktober as a way to start drawing daily again. Now I would consider myself a pencil guy. I draw with pencil on cheap paper and mostly color my stuff digitally. Ink doesn't really enter into my process. Plus, I've tried Inktober before and never gone further than 8 or 9 days. But it seemed like an escape ladder out of the small muddy pit of not-drawing I'd dig for myself. I don't know why it was muddy-- that's a mystery to me too.

SO...Inktober day 1, I posted something I wasn't entirely happy with but I felt an ounce of satisfaction at having completed something. I made a decision to do no erasing or digital doctoring.
"Don't be fussy," I found myself saying as a mantra.  Day 2, I started to try to explore the different things I could do with the few ink pens I found in my bucket o' art supplies. Maybe a teensy bit more satisfying.

Day 3.

On day 3, the prompt reminded me of a character I had written a picturebook manuscript about. It was the project I was spinning my wheels on earlier this summer. Day 3 was the turning point for me. On day 3,  I decided to make my Inktober about the bunnies in the book I wanted to finish. I christened it "Bunntober."

It started to be fun to visit the characters each day. And the ink became fun too. I got a few more markers and pens at my local art store. Now I could do grey washes with Copic wide markers and really teeny details with Micron pens. I still did my layouts in my very comfortable Prismacolor pencil #943 and then inked over it. The prompts gave me aspects of the characters to explore that I hadn't yet and the ink somehow made the drawing fun again because I got semi-finished sketches that did, but also didn't, resemble the work I was familiar with.

And people were commenting and liking my stuff. I wasn't an Inktober star like fellow D2PB'r Mike Ciccotello but I got a bunch of new followers and some really lovely comments. I know that's not why we make the art but encouragement is always lovely.  Most importantly, I think I've dug my way out of the pit and I'm ready to start my dummy. I've actually already started roughing out some pages and I think I might be finishing the finals in ink!

Day 24.

Day 31.

Day 25.

Day 27.

I guess this is a super duper, barely coherent, long winded way to say...if you're stuck in the mud, try something new.  A new medium, a new color scheme, heck...sometimes just a new sketch pad or a sharpened pencil might be the answer. It just might help you climb back out of the mud. Geez --there's the mud again. I'm going to go wash my hands.

Day 9.

BTW, if you haven't checked out the amazing work people have posted as part of Inktober, you really should. Superstar Mike Ciccotello is on Instagram @ciccotello and if you want to see more of my #bunntober experiment, you can find me on IG at @jkirsch118.  Our other D2PBrs are posting art on social media too...check out the links in their profiles.

By day, Jason is an emmy nominated set designer for television, with credits that include Harry, The Meredith Vieira Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and The Late Show with David Letterman. By night, Jason is an author and illustrator of children's books. You can find his debut picture book, Mr. Particular: The World's Choosiest Champion on shelves in bookstores everywhere. See Jason's work, both illustrations and set designs,  at www.jasonkirschner.com . Follow him on instagram @jkirsch118. 

Inktober to me, by Mike Ciccotello

What's Inktober? (from Jake Parker's site)

Every October, artists all over the world take on the InkTober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. I created InkTober in 2009 as a challenge to improve my inking skills and develop positive drawing habits.

–Jake Parker

This year, at the end of September, I posted on my Facebook and Instagram account about the tools I’d be using for Inktober, 2016. I wanted to show you a little more about my process and what Inktober is to me. 

Last year, I invested a lot of time each day, coming up with an idea, sketching said idea, and finally, completing an inked illustration. I like to be efficient with my available time. We all have busy schedules, family obligations, child care, a full-time job, or even looming deadlines. Everyone's schedule is different, but what time do these busy schedules leave for an art challenge like Inktober?

Here's one way to go about it, and it very well may give you some good ideas for other projects.

I decided to spread out the work. One night in early September, I took 31 sheets of Strathmore Mixed Media 400 series 14x11” paper and drew an 8x10” outline centered on every sheet. This would be the paper for the final inked illustration.
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8x10" pencil outline on 14x11" Strathmore 400 series Mixed Media Paper

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Another night that week, I paged through 642 things to Draw (Chronicle) and picked from their prompts. I wound up swapping out a few to form my final list.

Next, I started creating rough digital illustrations on my iPad Pro of each prompt. This took some time, but I broke it up over a few weeks, leading up to October. There is nothing wrong with being prepared.
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Catalogue of digital illustrations created on the iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil in Procreate

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Finally, I printed out all of my illustrations and I was ready to begin. I have a slim LED light board that I use to ink on. I tape the digital illustration on the light board with the 14x11” paper on top, and then start inking. I usually ink at night during the week and whenever I have chunks of time on the weekend. 
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Printouts of digital illustrations

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Overall, I don’t look at this challenge as creating an ink drawing every night as stated by Jake Parker. As I said before, I need to be efficient. I am about a week ahead of schedule. In order for me to succeed, I need to utilize whatever time I have and keep working. By working that far ahead, I can prep for other things I have going on, RUCCL (RUTGERS UNIVERSITY COUNCIL ON CHILDREN'S LITERATURE) on October 15th, and I can finish up two picture book dummies for agency submission shortly after the Rutgers conference. 
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Final inked illustrations

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Like last year, I will pull from these Inktober illustrations to create new portfolio work. I'm planning a solo exhibit with my best work from Inktober 2015 and 2016. And best of all, I'll be using the 2016 Inktober illustrations as story prompts for creating new picture book ideas.

To me, it’s not just about keeping up with a 31day challenge, it’s about nurturing those ideas into something bigger and making the most out of the body of work. If you ever thought about participating in Inktober, I highly recommend it. It's worth the effort. If you want to follow along with my progress find me on Facebook and Instagram. Check out my tool list below.
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Some of the tools I use to ink

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Here are a list of tools I've be playing around with this year. These aren't absolutes when you pick tools, just items that I like using. Every artist has their preference. This might provide some guidance, if you want to try some pens out, but don't know where to begin. By using different tools multiple times, you learn what is comfortable, what needs work, and what you absolutely despise. 

• Zebrapen - disposable brush pen, size - fine and medium
• Sakura,Pigma Micron - size - .005, .01, .02, .03, .05, .08, 1, brush
• Sakura,Gelly Roll Classic Gel Pen, size - medium point, white
• Faber-CastellPITT Artist Pen - Indi Ink SB, size - (Soft brush .05-5mm)
• PilotMetropolitan Fountain Pen, size - fine and medium nib
• Waterman52 Fountain Pen, size - semi-flex nib, fine
• Ink- For the fountain pens - Platinum Carbon - black, waterproof
• Ink - Forbrush - Higgins, Black India ink
• Paper- Strathmore 400 series Mixed Media, size - 11x14" pad
• Winsor and Newton Series 7 sable brush 

Website:  Ciccotello.com 

Facebook:  The Art of Mike Ciccotello 

Twitter: @ciccotello 

Instagram: @ciccotello 

Marketing... it's not a dirty word - by Mike Ciccotello

I love creating stories and illustration, but luckily for me, I also love marketing. Yup. I said it. 

I LOVE MARKETING!

I really don't need a caption for this.

Embrace marketing. It doesn't have to be coupon pack mailers, or cheesy radio ads, and it should NOT be instantaneously telling people about your book as soon as they like one of your tweets.

You're probably marketing your work right now and you didn't even realize it.

Every time you enter a contest, attend a conference, and get a portfolio review, you are marketing. Yes, you are still honing your craft, but at the same time, you are promoting you and your work. You are showing people what you create, who you are, and getting your name out there. By doing this consistently, people will start seeing your name and work, over and over, which leads to familiarity. Repetition is a good thing, as long as it's done in moderation. 

My entry for the NJ Library Association, poster contest.

Try to find a balance between creating great work and getting it our there. Don't just do the marketing, that would be putting the cart before the horse. And don't be scared to share the work you create. You don't have to share everything, but try to share something. 

Recently I hit a creative block while rewriting one of my manuscripts. In order to keep working, I tried my hand at some short term projects while I took a break from my manuscript. I entered a couple contests and applied for a conference. I was able to share the imagery on social media and feel the accomplishment of completing a short term project. Illustrators have a lot of opportunities to do this and they don't cost a dime.

My entry for SCBWI Draw This, for July. The prompt was, Admire.

Drawing challenges - share on social media with proper hashtags. 
These are ones that I know of.
pinch punch post, sketch dailies, daily doodle, finish the scribble, scbwi draw this, inktober, and illustration friday.
(Please mention some more challenges in the comments.)

Contests - see if you are allowed to share your entry on social media. 
This year I submitted to SCBWI Art Spot, NJ Library association's poster contest and 3x3.
(If you know more contests, please mention them in the comments.)

Blogs - research blogs that take submissions from illustrators and will promote your work.
I'm a regular contributor at AllTheWonders.com, but I have also been invited to show work on Kathy Temean's blog, Nerdy Chicks Write - Kid Lit Summer School and Tara Lazar's blog Pre-PiBoIdMo.
(If you know other blogs that take regular submissions, please mention then in the comments.)

By putting all of this effort into yourself and your work, you're building your brand.

That may sound business-like, so we don't have to refer to it that way. Let's say, you're putting your best foot forward to promote what you love doing.

Website:  Ciccotello.com 

Facebook:  The Art of Mike Ciccotello 

Twitter: @ciccotello 

Instagram: @ciccotello 

Building my Portfolio - by Mike Ciccotello

In June of last year, I attended my first NJ SCBWI conference. I had never been to a children's literature conference. As an aspiring children's book illustrator, I knew it was important not to show up empty handed. I gathered some work that was remotely related to picture books, and ventured out with an open mind. I went with the intention of absorbing as much as possible. To my surprise, I was able to purchase a one-on-one with an art director. I also had a sit-down with an agent and a scout. It was more than I could've hoped for. I received critical feedback that I could build on.

From last year's portfolio

Shortly after that conference, I started researching more information about picture book portfolio content. I was trying to apply every rule and opinion I heard. It needed: interior, exterior, animals, children, diversity, nature, city, lighting, color, black and white, etc. My head was spinning. I wasn't thinking about my illustration. I was only thinking about a checklist. I wasn't having fun.  Are those items important for a portfolio? Yes, of course, but I was going about it the wrong way. I decided to start creating new work by participating in an illustration challenge called, Inktober. If I could create 31 pen and ink illustrations in one month, I could pull from that and create finished work to put in my portfolio. I thought it would be fun way to let some ideas develop.

From Inktober 2015

I was able to complete the challenge, and I had a bunch of work to show for it. (click here for my inktober images) I have used those images to develop new characters, environments, and stories. Completing that challenge also put me into a mind frame to continue creating new work on a regular basis. I'm not suggesting that a challenge is the answer for everyone, but you should be having fun while you are creating. Create things that interest you. Draw in a style that you enjoy. 

From this year's portfolio

Here we are, a little over a year later. I'm gearing up for my second conference at NJ SCBWI. I have a new portfolio of work, and a somewhat clearer view as a developing illustrator in children's literature. I know that I will continue to learn and change my portfolio, and that's a good thing. Evolution is an important part of the process. I can't wait to see where it takes me. (click here for my current portfolio)

Website:  Ciccotello.com

Facebook:  The Art of Mike Ciccotello

Twitter: @ciccotello
Instagram: @ciccotello