Leo Espinosa (illustrator) - Video demo

 

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Leo is a fantastic illustrator and in this video with the Society of Illustrators he talks about some of his process for illustrating "The World Belonged to US" written by Jacqueline Woodson.

Dig this? Check out my last inspiration board

Art vs Artist 2023

 

Been awhile since I did one of these. I tried to quickly pick some recent drawings , projects, or paintings that I like. Some of these are client work, but some are personal.  Top to bottom, left to right.

1. Read Poster 5

2. Alejandria Fights Back/ La Lucha de Alejandria by Rise Home Stories Project/ Leticia Hernandez-Linares

3. Fairy Big Sister

4. Character from We Are Yoga/Somos Yoga by Jill Guerra

5. Me

6. Illustration for In Dance Magazine

7. Ethnic Studies In Every School 2

8. Cover of my book Fresh Juice/Jugo Fresco

9. Dr Muriel Petioni-Blk history month

Dig this? Check these out:

Meet The Artist

Art Vs Artist 2020

Collage of Character 2020-2022

Art Vs Artist 2018

Inspiring Artist - Bea Gifted

 

Just found the website of this incredible artist named Bea Jackson (Bea Gifted). Wow! Stunning digital and traditional illustration. I don't know much about her but I really love how she draws and paints, especially how beautifully she illustrates Black children. Ugggh, so good!

If you're not familiar with her please go check out her website and follow her on Instagram! I'm sure you have seen her art in picture books but if you havent here's one! "Parker Looks Up" :)

Here is an interview with her where she talks about her long career in the arts working in comics, editorial work, children's books, and more. 

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What's this? This is where I share inspiring artists that have been inspiring to me in my work sometimes directly and other times indirectly. I just discovered Bea's work but some of the folks I share I've seen over the span of many years. Here are some others to check out:

Cymone Wilder- Typographic artist and designer

Elizabeth Catlett - Sculptor and fine artist

Olivia Fields- Illustrator, cartoonist

Helen Mingjue Chen- Illustrator, concept artist

Wow, as I mentioned above please follow and support her work!!! Again here is her site.

I Am The Subway- Kim Hyo-eun

 

I just checked out this book from a nearby library and I'm in love with the style of art and the story. It was originally published in Korea but has just been translated to english by Deborah Smith. Wow what an incredible picture book. I love how the title credits are introduced after the story begins. I love Kim's hand drawn traditional media style. 

GET THIS BOOK

Some more pages from the book:

Check out this book trailer

Dig this? Check out this post about Asian American owned bookstores

Sam! Cover Art Tools

Hey readers. My name is Rob and I'm a kids book author and illustrator. This is a throwback to the cover design for the book "Sam!" written by poet/parent Dani Gabriel, published by Penny Candy Books, and illustrated by me.

Here are the initial sketches I came up with. One with a scene from the book, and two new ones. 

They chose the 1st idea and this being a relatively quick process I went straight to a refined sketch of that which you see here. For the sketch I typically use a non photo blue pencil, a ruler, a #2 pencil, and an 11" x 17" piece of paper so I can draw the back together as a layout.  

Once everyone signed off on this I use my light box to trace the sketch using a Prismacolor black pencil.

 

 Then I add color using a large flat brush to lay down a wash first then I build up the color slowly from light to dark using the medium flat, the round, and the fine liner . 

I use a bunch of watercolor brands to find the right colors. These are some of them.

When you paint with acrylic or gouache you can layer light over dark, but with watercolor its much harder so you must use light colors first, then darks. This is what. the painting looks like once I've finished. If you get a chance, read the book. Share it with families and check out some of the other books Penny Candy publishes HERE.

Dig this? Check out this post about the cover art of Alejandria Fights Back/ La Lucha de Alejandria

Inspiring Artist - Zeke Peña

 

Zeke Peña is an incredible artist working in traditional fine art, and digital illustration. I don't remember which piece brought me to his work but I love it. The rich colors, the realism and the exaggeration. I love how his work portrays all types of people and how he tells a story through visuals.

Zeke has worked on a bunch of books! Picture books, comics, and middle grade covers. And I suspect we'll be seeing a lot more illustration and some writing coming from him soon. In addition to book work you can tell he really digs working with the community on art projects that puts their stories first.

Here you can see a video presentation where he talks about some of his work.

If you dig his work go check him out at www.zpvisual.com

And the last inspiring artist I shared was Gabby Zapata and Bisa Butler

My book was banned!

 

You know, I've seen other books get banned and I'm always surprised because these are books about people of color, Black folks, or queer folks. It feels like you life is being banned. I'm not queer, but I have queer family and friends and it feels like they're being banned. It also feels like they don't want their kids to "know" something. If the books were causing actual harm to people, or preaching hate I'd feel different. But often, the books are simply illustrating stories that haven't been told before and that is scary. To them.

Well I've been sitting with the news that my book "One of a kind, like me/ Unîco Como Yo" -a bilingual picture book about a boy who wants to be a princess" was banned in a North Carolina school district. And it feels different when it's your book. But, we're not backing down. In fact we're trying to get it to more kids and families. PLEASE support your local LGBTQ organizations rather than lashing out towards parents who are scared of difference or having real open minded conversations with their kids.

Want to read the piece the author Laurin Mayeno wrote? ARTICLE LINK

Orgs in North Carolina you can support:

Youth OUTright , Campaign for Southern Equality, Equality North Carolina, Southerners on New Ground, and the Transgender Law Center

And some good news!!!! 

Yeah we like that y'all. This San Diego organization lead by two moms who have queer kids is making sure more schools have access to kids books that reflect them in the stories. Can I get a hell yeah?! Watch the Video  HERE!

Shout out to Gender Nation!!!

Feature in Mother Mag

 

Yo, so this happened! I posted this on social media but wanted to mention it here. I am mentioned as one of 30 Black children's books illustrators. I am pretty juiced about this because it is nice to be acknowledged for your work every now and then. I know there are tons more illustrators out there and a bunch of cats I know who are super skilled. But, I accept this recognition and it feels good to share it. Thank you Mother Magazine. 

Please go to their site and read the post. It has a bunch of really talented veterans and new artists in it. Some of which I've actually met in real life. Like for real for real. Haha. 

You can check out other features or interviews here.

Character Collage 2019-2020

What up everyone. It has been awhile since I uploaded a character collage; like since 2018. But you know what, my wife and I had a daughter in 2018 so I did not have the time to do as many character drawings. In fact the majority of what you're seeing above I started to draw back in November of last year (we got childcare). This set of drawings is all done in dark blue colored pencil because I felt like switching it up from my normal style and using one color. This helped make it faster and helped me make work that's suitable for middle grade and picture books. Alright, please check these out out!

Left to right, top to bottom: 1. Ride 2. Fix it or Trash it 3. Photo 4. Jet Boil 5. Rollercoaster 6. Jump 7. Bandsaw 8. Protest 9. Haenyeo 10. Donny & Jalil 11. How's it sound? 12. Pack your bag 13. Argue

You can see the previous collages here too: 

2017-2018

2016-2017

2015-2016

2014-2015

2013-2014

2012-2013

2009-2012

If you are interested in more information about any of the characters, want to work with me, or interested in a print just email me at info@robdontstop.com

Short story 26 - First Protest

Saturday morning. Uncle George told us we were wasting our time. "Hardly anyone shows up at them demonstrations!" he said. But I know hella people are gonna show out today. Jeanie never been to a protest before so Judy, my sister, and I are taking her. And we're gonna enjoy ourselves while doing it. Today might not change politicians minds but I hope Jeanie will see that she isn't the only one who don't support another foolish war. I can see the folks gathering up the street now.

Funny I was already planning to draw this short story. But being that the idiot POTUS is trying to declare war on a country that the US government has had its claws in for over half a century its fitting to post it now. Stay woke folks. History repeats itself and we've seen this show before.

Here's the last short story: Haenyeo

Some more close ups....

Sam! Book Release in El Cerrito

Hey! The first book release party for Sam! is coming. On Tuesday September 17th in El Cerrito California (North of Berkeley/Oakland) me and author Dani Gabriel will be sharing this incredible story with you. Please bring your children, family, and book lover friends to hang. I look forward to seeing you.

For more info about the book please visit Penny Candy Books

Here is the link for the Bk Release Location

Sam! Cover reveal!

This is the cover for my new book "Sam!" written by poet/author Dani Gabriel and published by Penny Candy Books! 

So excited to share the cover with you all. You can read a little bit more about the book on Here We Read. Go check it out and stay tuned to Penny Candy Books. You can preorder the book now too.

Total Pages: 36 pages
Publisher: Penny Candy Books
Publication Date: September 10, 2019
Recommended Ages: 8-12 and up
Pre-Orders: Available for Pre-Order Now!

Video: Bean and Cheese Taco Birthday

I illustrated this book 6 years ago. How quickly time flies. I just happen to come across it recently on youtube read aloud by Kristina Brown.