Less than a week until...

Storystorm 2019!

This is my third year participating, and every year I come up with a flurry of new picture book ideas!  Some of the ideas are interesting, some of the ideas are ridiculous, and some of the ideas are ridiculous enough to make them interesting.  But, no matter what sort of ideas I come up with, the challenge is always fun!

And, to help keep me on track as I turn those ideas into full fledged stories

and picture book dummies, I am signing up for... 

Creative Every Day 2019!

Illustration Friday: Winter

B is for Binkwee!

This week's Illustration Friday theme is "winter".

To see more of my illustrations, please click here.

To see (twenty five!!!) previous Illustration Friday posts, please click here.

Illustration Friday: Chef

Illustration Friday - Chef

When I first started the blog, I used to participate in the Illustration Friday challenge.  It was always a lot of fun to try and interpret the theme for the week and to see how other artists interpreted it too.

I've been wanting to get back to the blog, so when I saw that the theme for this week's Illustration Friday was "Chef" I knew that I had to participate!  If I'm being totally honest, I already had this illustration spread completed, but I thought it would be the perfect way for me to ease back into 

Illustration Friday AND blogging.

(If you're interested in seeing some Illustration Friday entries 

from many moons ago, you can click here.)

Summer Starts...

...Now!

It's officially summer!  Even though the drawing, painting, and story-creating continue, I've decided to take a blog vacation... When I return, I hope to have LOTS of fun new things to share.

See you in September... 

Challenges

** UPDATED 6/4/2018 **

(I will continue to update this list as I find more challenges.)

I was recently looking to see if there were any new art challenges to try this summer, and stumbled upon the #kidlitsummers hashtag... It is a fun (but relaxed) challenge that "draws on" summertime memories from childhood.  It runs from June 1st - August 31st, but there aren't any strict deadlines or rules... It's perfect for my unpredictable summer schedule!

Since I thought you might be looking for a challenge too, and because I thought it would be handy to have all of the art challenges (that I know of) in one place, I have created the following list:

#kidlitsummers

(created by Lily Williams)

This Instagram and Twitter based challenge only has 3 "rules":

1. Draw your favorite summer memories from being a kid.

2. Post them online with the hashtag #kidlitsummers

3. Share images any day from June 1st - August 31st.

Index Card A Day

(created by Daisy Yellow)

"A creative challenge, not a competition.  

Make something on an index card every day for 61 days. That's it."

This challenge runs from June 1st - July 31st.

(You can see some of my past index cards here.)

Doodle-a-Day

(created by Rhianna Wurman @ellolovey)

An Instagram based challenge with daily drawing prompts.

This challenge runs year round (prompts are updated each month).

Creative Every Day (and Art Every Day Month)

(created by Leah Piken Kolidas)

Creative Every Day is a relaxed year long challenge to stay on track being creative (in some way, any way) every day.  There are check-ins and optional monthly themes.  In November, the challenge is kicked up a notch with Art Every Day Month (AEDM).  "The idea is to bring more creativity into your life, not to make you feel overwhelmed, pressured or guilt-stricken."

Illustration Friday

(IllustrationFriday.com)

A weekly illustration challenge with a new theme to illustrate each week.

Artist can submit illustrations to their online gallery.

(You can see some of my past Illustration Friday posts here.)

Colour Collective

(@Clr_Collective)

A Twitter based challenge.  

"A weekly challenge where you make work based on a single colour.  Colours announced on Saturday; post your work Fri at 19:30 GMT."

Animal Alphabets

(@AnimalAlphabets)

A Twitter based challenge.

"Weekly challenge based on a letter.  Post together Mondays 19:30 GMT"

(A new alphabet is just starting - the theme is "extinct animals".)

Lucky Draw Challenge

(created by Fabi Santiago and Sheena Dempsey)

An Instagram and Twitter based challenge.

"2 themes = 1 illustration"  (A mash-up of 2 randomly chosen themes.)

New themes are chosen weekly and are due on Wednesdays.

IF draw a week

(created by anouk.adel.art)

An Instagram based challenge with a new theme and guest host each week.  New topics are posted every Sunday.

Jim Bob Drawing Show

(created by Bobby Chiu and Jim Bryson)

A weekly Instagram based challenge where topics are pulled from 2 jars:

1 adjective + 1 noun = 1 drawing

(They have a YouTube channel where they share their drawings every Thursday.)

Draw This!

(SCBWI.org)

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators monthly art prompt.

(Members have the opportunity to share their work in the online gallery.)

Build A Portfolio Challenge (#BAPC)

(created by #kidlitart: Rubin Pingk, Diandra Mae, Blythe Russo)

Created by the same people who host the weekly Thursday night #kidlitart chat on Twitter, BAPC is an annual art challenge with monthly prompts to help illustrators build their portfolios.

(Click here for the official rules and prompt list.)

Finish the Scribble

(created by Sheena Monahan @3yroldscribble)

A monthly Twitter based challenge.

"A 3yr old's scribble posted on the 1st of the month!  Finish it and tag with #3yroldscribble.  Post on the last day!"

Scribble Picnic

(created by Michael MacVean)

"A weekly art meetup to engage and encourage each other, exploring the same theme each week.  Choose your preferred platform and join us there!"

Childhood Week

(created by Beatrice Blue)

"Childhood Week is a 2 week event distributed in 2 separate weeks along the year: One for Summer, one for Winter.  The main goal is to remember and show each other our childhood with either paintings, photographs, anything fun!" 

(Click here for the official rules and prompt list.)

Inktober

(created by Jake Parker)

"31 days, 31 drawings" (in INK)

Mermay

(#mermay)

I'm not sure who was the first one to start this challenge... In May, artists devote the month to creating a new mermaid themed drawing each day (and labeling it with #mermay).  There are always many prompt lists if you're looking for ideas.

And last, but certainly not least...

The weekly challenge that I helped create 7 years ago...

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY

(created by EVA and Me!)

Paint Party Friday is a relaxed weekly challenge for painters (of all types) to check-in, share works in progress, and/or finished paintings.

These are all of the art challenges (that I know of).

Please let me know if I've missed any!

Happy Creating!!!

2018: 132-138/365

(Smiley face emoji courtesy of Tyler.)

As an artist, I love to tackle projects that take me out of my comfort zone.  So, when my sister asked if I would help her paint her car ("Major Tom"), I was very excited.  If you know me, then it should be no surprise that I will paint on just about anything... Stevie's car was just an oddly shaped, mobile canvas.  From far away, it looks like it's been tie-dyed, when you get up close it looks like a galaxy, and from every which way it looks like fun on wheels!

If you're interested in reading more about my amazing sister, Stevie, you can check out some older posts HERE, HERE, and HERE.

(And, here is a portrait I drew/painted of her.)

2018: 125-131/365

In my last post I mentioned that I took part in the Illustrator Challenge at the New England SCBWI Conference.  The theme of the challenge was Fairy Tale Mash-up, so I created "Swinederella": a combination of Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs, and a dash of Little Red Riding Hood.  It was created using pencil, watercolor, and Photoshop.

Since I love seeing how other artists create their art, I thought it would be fun to share images of my process from start to finish...

1. Thumbnail Sketch

2. Character Design

3. Clean Sketch

4. Watercolor Washes

5. Black & White Underpainting

6. Starting to Add Color

7. Final Image (after many, many layers!)

I'm still figuring things out in Photoshop, but I have a feeling that I'm really going to enjoy this way of working!

2018: 117-124/365

Wow... this week flew by!

Photo courtesy of my sister, Stevie.

The weather was finally Spring-like, and I definitely took advantage of it... I had a great time helping my sister paint her truck
(but that is a story for another week).

This week, I promised to share more about my trip to Springfield, Massachusetts...

Art by Priscilla Alpaugh

While at the New England SCBWI Conference, I took workshops with Dan Santat, Josh Funk, Russ Cox, and Sara Zarr.  I listened to amazing panels and speeches with incredible authors and illustrators including Jane Yolen, Rita Williams-Garcia, Amy Reed, and Matt Phelan.  I listened, learned, and talked about books.  I volunteered, participated in the Illustrator Challenge, met with an editor, had books signed, and made a lot of new friends.  It was a very full, very fun, and very inspirational, weekend!

It would be impossible to share everything, but here are my top takeaways from NESCBWI 2018...

 Nothing is more important that being good.

Hard work develops talent.

 Practice & push yourself.

Learn from others, but don't compare yourself to them.

 Explore, evolve, & try new things.

and...

Don't be afraid to take risks!

2018: 110-116/365

This past weekend, I went to the New England SCBWI Conference in Springfield Massachusetts.  My days were jam-packed with learning, inspiration, and fun.  I am still processing all of the information I received from the incredible workshops I took (I will definitely post some highlights next week).  But...

In the meantime, I wanted to share some photos from a trip my friend Dee and I took to The Dr. Seuss Museum.

It was so much fun to get a glimpse into the life of Theodor Geisel... I really enjoyed looking at his work space, seeing his original art, and reading letters he wrote to family and friends.  It seems pretty obvious that the man known as

Dr. Seuss would be funny, but I never knew just how clever and fun he really was!

(More from my trip next week...)

2018: 109/365

As I sit looking at the Spring snow out my window,

I wonder if May flowers will ever really arrive...

Even though my friend Christine has assured me that warmer weather will be coming soon, I thought I might have to take matters into my own hands...

Luckily, I remembered that I know how to make my own flowers!

(I even created a tutorial so you can too.)

Hopefully I'll see some flowers (or even the grass!) soon...

But in the meantime, it's good to have a back-up plan!

2018: 108/365

Happy Banana Day!

2018: 107/365

(And, the snow keeps on falling...)

I don't think whoever coined the phrase,

"April showers bring May flowers."

meant snow showers.

Ugh.

2018: 106/365

Cinderelephant

I'm back!!!

It's hard to believe that it was a Spring break.  Snow and ice would definitely suggest otherwise... But that's a story for another day.

The illustration that I was working on before my blogging break reminded me of a Cinderelephant painting I did (shown at the top of this post).  And, since today is also "Save the Elephant Day", I would like to share a variety of elephant art that I've created over the years...

(See the start to finish process pics here.)

(Find out about this painting's unusual inspiration and see the process here.)

I hope you found this post as fun as I did...

(I didn't remember how many elephants I've created over the years!)

You might think that I've had my fill, but seeing this actually makes me want to make more elephant art in the future!

2018: 88-105

Binkwee says...

Hoppy Spring!

(I'm taking a blog break, but I'll be back soon.)

2018: 87/365

Creating washes and textures the old fashioned way...

With brushes and paint on watercolor paper!

2018: 86/365

A larger, more developed version of the thumbnail sketch from last week.

(Drawn in... Photoshop! Yay!)

2018: 82,83,84, & 85/365

I'm learning!!!

2018: 81/365

A new thumbnail...

I was playing with new ideas and fresh perspectives today.

There is still a lot of work to be done, but I think I like this one better!

2018: 80/365

I re-drew yesterday's thumbnail a little bit larger

and started tinkering with placement and sizes. BUT... 

While I was working on it, I decided that the overall composition 

was just okay... a little boring, if I'm being completely honest.  

So, tomorrow I think I'm going to see if I can come up with something better... Stay tuned!

2018: 79/365

It starts with a very rough, very small thumbnail...

2018: 75,76,77 and 78/365

The latest pieces.

To find out more about my altered puzzle project, please click here.

2018: 74/365

(French Toast)

Throwback Thursday...
Originally posted on March 15th, 7 years ago!
(My love for puns never wavers!)

2018: 73/365

The mirror image of 3.14 is PI.E.

Coincidence?

I think not.

Happy Pi Day!

2018: 72/365

In honor of my sister Stevie's birthday, I thought I would take a break from the puzzle pieces to share a painting that I did of her a while back

(but never posted).

2018: 69. 70 & 71/365

Altered Puzzle Pieces 4, 5, and 6.

4:  Thinking about the amazing Margaret Atwood talk I attended on

Friday night (and "The Handbag's Tale")

5:  Inspired by MY favorite handbag that was created by the very, VERY talented Liz Potter of Bolsa Bonita.  I receive SO many compliments about the bags she makes... They're real conversation starters! 

(She also made the squirrel bag I shared a couple of months ago.)

6:  In honor of International Fanny Pack Day!  Now, if only Liz Potter would start making fanny packs... That would be AWESOME!!!

To find out more about my altered puzzle project, please click here.