Well, I’ve been super busy lately. When that happens, nothing gets posted on the website at all. But today I’ve got a bit of a breather while I wait on feedback from a client, so I’m setting up some posts.
I illustrated a short graded reader for Learning A-Z titled My Treehouse. Here’s the spread for the wrapped cover on that one. The first page is the same image, but a cropped version showing just the right-hand side of this scene.
Here’s a drawing of a slice of blueberry pie.
So, I’m working on a series for my portfolio in my spare time. It revolves around the girl on the right and her middle school friends. She was also in the selfie pic I posted earlier.
I hesitated to put this one up now, before I’ve finished more of the series, because it’s pretty negative and the series isn’t supposed to be negative.
I was kind of in a mood when I drew it.
I promise she’s not normally a kid that gets in fights.
This was just a really bad day for her.
The next one will be more pleasant.
I promise.
I actually chose this pose to show some action, to show the two figures directly interacting with each other in a realistic pose, to show angry expressions, and to oppose the stereotypes that only boys ever fight.
Here’s a portfolio piece I’ve been working on. I am ridiculously proud of the hands, in particular.
One last image for the Petting Zoo commission for Learning A-Z.
A second image for the Petting Zoo commission for Learning A-Z.
Here’s the first page of a Petting Zoo commission for Learning A-Z. I think the pigs were the most fun to draw. I managed to put at least one in each of the three images for this set. I particularly like the one reaching for the bottle on the right.
This commission only had two images. So, here’s the second of the Moving Day set for Learning A-Z. The boy is packing up his room. Looks like he’s a Yankees fan.
Another commission for Learning A-Z. This one is a family packing up their living room and kitchen, getting ready to move.
One problem with this scene was that they wanted both rooms to show, but in a portrait-oriented image. So, I decided to make this house a front-to-back split with a short stairway between the two levels. That let me put the two rooms one in front of the other, but with the kitchen a half-story higher so as to increase the height of the image and keep the living room from blocking it.
It’s done entirely in one-point perspective. Everything except the people and a few curves was drawn with virtual rulers.
It’s probably a small mid-eighties tract home, judging by the layout. One that’s been updated with wood floors and new appliances. But the kitchen is still too small and it doesn’t have a dishwasher. I’d move too, if I were them.
One last winter fair illustration commissioned by Learning A-Z.
Karen B. Jones - Illustrator 