SCBWI NY Metro Illustrator Boot Camp on Character Creation

The NY Metro Illustrator Boot Camp on Character Creation was fabulous. This is the first one I attended for this chapter but I felt at home as soon as I walked in.

My sketches were critiqued by an art director and she asked that I continue to develop more expressions and stated that my poses were good. Also, I began some color studies in class and will finish them
soon. I really learned about the Schwartz and Wade book line. They are definitely aimed at the bookstore and library market. Perhaps I will submit my pb biography to them down the road when it is ready.

My portfolio crit with Harper AD went well. She seemed to like the pieces that everyone likes. She also pointed out a few that need tweaking. She loved a new one I did that belongs in my fractured food project. Perhaps that will be my next postcard?

Lastly, we all were blessed to hear Peter McCarty's speech on how he comes up with characters. He is so funny and real and so are his characters. He really identifies with them on both a child and grown up level. And they are so true to life.

He said he often takes a year to finish the art. And it shows. Exquisite.

I love these workshops because you always come away with new ideas, ways of looking at things and of course, improvement.

Looking forward to the next one.

Two more sketches

And two more. Can't wait to see what the Art Director says. I'm sure she will suggest a lot of changes.

I decided to do an urban/contemporary version of Hansel and Gretl, and to make the witch a funny baker and the mother a bad cook.