November 21, 2014 8:53 am
Today I invited The Girllustrators, Austin-based kidlit artists, to guest blog for PiBoIdMo, so you’re getting THREE inspirational essays—by Emma Virján, Caitlin B. Alexander and Marsha Riti—for the price of one. (And they’re all FREE, LOL.) I recommend following these talented ladies on Twitter @Girllustrators.
Up first: Emma Virján!
WHAT THIS STORY NEEDS IS A PIG IN A WIG started with this doodle of pig snouts.
Sketches of pigs started to fill my notebooks.
After many drawings, I determined pig needed a name. I named her Pig.
It was also determined that she needed a wig.
I drew Pig wearing many different wigs.
I loved Pig in all of her wigs (still do) but this one became my favorite.
The story of Pig and her wig started to take shape. Work began on a manuscript.
The words “on a boat” kept cropping up and I started drawing images of Pig near a boat.
Sometimes I only drew the boat. The boat always had a pig snout on the bow.
The first of many thumbnails were created.
So began the real work of the images and words becoming a picture book.
Revisions happened. Drawings were scrapped and new ones were drawn. More revisions happened and eventually What This Story Needs Is A Pig In A Wig was finalized.
It’s amazing to think that a black and white doodle of pig snouts, drawn while on the phone with a client, became the inspiration for a character and a story.
And the endpapers.
Emma J Virján was born under an Aries moon on a Wednesday, her dad’s bowling night. This explains her attraction to hardwood floors. She likes to draw, work in her garden and often lets her dog sleep on the couch. She makes her home in Austin, Texas where she spends her days as an illustrator and graphic designer.
She is the author-illustrator of Nacho the Party Puppy, Random House, 2008, and the forthcoming What This Story Needs Is A Pig In a Wig, HarperCollins, May 12, 2015.
You can visit Emma Virján at Emmavirjan.com and follow her illustrative moods on Twitter @EmmaVirjan.
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Next is Caitlin B. Alexander!
Being an illustrator, my concept for a story grows in tandem with my visual ideas. I look at children’s books that I admire, both old and new, and take note of what draws me to them. Is it the overarching message? The color palette? The scenery? What medium did they use for the art, and what kind of characters did they use? The art or writing may not resemble my work, but something about it can still inspire me. I have a massive collection of books that I turn to frequently.
I am somewhat of an overly-organized person, so I make all sorts of bubble charts and graphs, with ideas sprouting into other ideas. Some of these are just images I would love to incorporate into a story, like a sailboat, and others are larger concepts. Eventually, with a lot of scribbling, listing, doodling, highlighting, and sample-writing, I come up with a rough idea or two that can be explored further. It reminds me of a slab of clay that has barely taken shape, but has a lot of potential.
I wish I could say that I know what perfect and repeating formula works for getting a book published, but there are probably few people who do. The rest of us just create things that we love, and keep learning, making mistakes and trying new things. If we’re lucky, we’ve hit the right combination, and someone else has fallen in love with the idea as much as we have.
Caitlin B. Alexander is an illustrator based in Austin, Texas with a particular love for dry-brush gouache painting. Both her life and work are heavily influenced by the aesthetics of the 1940’s, ’50s and ’60s. She fancies herself a collector of memories as much as a collector of things, andenjoys bringing this sense of nostalgia to her audience.
Clients include: Spider Magazine, Ladybug Magazine (Cricket Media), Geneologie, Texas Board of Tourism, Dallas Child Magazine, Bearded Lady Screen Prints, Austin Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, PERC Coffee, The Kloud Agency, What’s Up Annapolis? Magazine
Visit Caitlin’s website at cbaillustration.com, follow her Tumblr at cbaillustration.tumblr.com and Tweet with her @cbaillustration.
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And now…Marsha Riti!
Because I consider myself an illustrator first and foremost, the way I approach storytelling is a bit different than a writer. My inspiration comes from sketching and playing around with materials.
I’m currently working on a dreamy story about a girl, a rabbit, and the moon. This story came about from playing around with loose watercolor techniques and other materials.
Then I started playing with character sketches.
I love to thumbnail out ideas. Tara Lazar has a great thumbnail guide on her website and so does Debbie Ohi.
Here’s a small sample of a double-page layout.
And here’s a finished spread.
This process naturally lends itself to wordless storytelling, but I don’t want to limit myself. If the story needs words, then I’ll supply them. If it does not, then so be it.
One other place I find inspiration is this quote below from a Blake poem titled “Night.”
“The moon like a flower,
In heaven’s high bower,
With silent delight!
Sits and smiles on the night.” ~ William Blake
My husband and best friend Adam happened across it while reading “Songs of Innocence.” Adam is another source of inspiration. We have wonderful conversations about life and philosophy that are always giving me new ideas.
Marsha Riti is a children’s book illustrator from Austin, Texas. She has been a member of SCBWI for a number of years, and is also a co-founder and member of a female illustrator collective called the Girllustrators. She is currently illustrating a chapter book series for Simon & Schuster, The Critter Club, and is represented by Teresa Kietlinksi of Prospect Agency. And she’s got a wicked sense of humor.
Tara featured Marsha in a “Portrait of an Aspiring Illustrator” in March 2009.
View Marsha’s artwork and latest projects at marshariti.com and follow along on Twitter @marshariti.
Emma is giving away a NACHO THE PARTY PUPPY book and tee!
And Marsha is donating two books from THE CRITTER CLUB!
These prizes will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for these prizes if:
Good luck, everyone!
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: PiBoIdMo 2014, Picture Books
Tags: Caitlin B. Alexander, Emma Virjan, Girllustrators, Marsha Riti, Nacho the Party Puppy, The Critter Club, What This Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig
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3 girls, 3 different processes. Thanks for sharing, Girllustrators!
By Nadine Gamble on November 21, 2014 at 9:02 am
Loved the different artistic styles. Bravo fellow Texan gals!
By Margie Moore on November 21, 2014 at 9:02 am
Thank you ladies. Great inspiration for different process ways to create.
By Jeanine Potter on November 21, 2014 at 9:04 am
It’s so interesting to read how the story making process works for others. Thanks Girllustrators for sharing this great post.
By Doris Stone on November 21, 2014 at 9:06 am
Ahhh! So Much Inspiration with these posts. I am not an illustrator by any means but I think I will start doing some sketches to help me flesh out my story ideas better. Love the bubble idea too…I think in tandems as well so excited to incorporate this into my thought process!
By tanyakonerman on November 21, 2014 at 9:07 am
YaY Girlustrators. So nice to cyber know you. Beautiful art. I knew about Tara’s thumbnail but had forgotten about it. I needed the reminder. Thanks for sharing.
By Robyn Campbell on November 21, 2014 at 9:07 am
I enjoyed your illustrations. Love those pig snouts!
By Tina Cho on November 21, 2014 at 9:07 am
Inspiration is like a well that never runs dry.
By Pj McIlvaine on November 21, 2014 at 9:08 am
I love the bubble thoughts, forgot about that one. Thanks for the reminder. Off to make bubbles…..
By Louann Brown on November 21, 2014 at 9:09 am
Loved the post! Thank you.
By DaNeil on November 21, 2014 at 9:10 am
Fantastic postings today! I can’t even make a decent stick figure, so I’m in utter awe of all three of you. Thank you for sharing your processes!
By Laurie Theurer on November 21, 2014 at 9:10 am
Wow! Such inspiration! Austin is so Scbwi networked!
By Donna Warwick on November 21, 2014 at 9:12 am
I enjoyed reading how each of the Girllustrators arrive at their satisfying endings.
By shiela fuller on November 21, 2014 at 9:12 am
Great post. Being a novice illustrator, I love to see into the mind of fellow illustrators at work. It’s fascinating that some start with images and work back to the words.(Up until now, I’ve been an either/or kind of creator: images or words….this inspires me to incorporate more). Thanks a bunch Girllustrators!
By Cindy C. on November 21, 2014 at 9:12 am
As I consider myself an illustrator first, it’s surprising how few images there are in my idea book. I need to doodle more! Thanks, Girllustrators!
By marcimcadam on November 21, 2014 at 9:14 am
Great way to start the day! Thank you for your posts!
By Nancy Ramsey on November 21, 2014 at 9:19 am
this is so cool! I love seeing how illustrators picture a book.
By Sue Heavenrich on November 21, 2014 at 9:20 am
Thanks ladies! I love to see the different approaches to story.
By Cheryl Mansfield on November 21, 2014 at 9:20 am
It’s so interesting to see how an artist approaches a book. The process is pretty foreign to me so I am thinking I’ll give it a go.
By The World Is My Cuttlefish on November 21, 2014 at 9:21 am
Loved reading about the different ways each of you creates a book. And fantastic illustrations! Many thanks!
By Rebecca Colby on November 21, 2014 at 9:21 am
Not being an illustrator, and having the drawing skills of an elementary student, I still found this post helpful. It reinforced the idea of using thumbnails to work on my stories. Thanks.
By Jim Chaize on November 21, 2014 at 9:21 am
I loved the post and all the sketches.Thanks for sharing.
By Michele Prestininzi on November 21, 2014 at 9:24 am
This post is up on the wall for inspiration! Thanks for sharing your processes!
By dsi1nyu on November 21, 2014 at 9:25 am
Thanks for the great post- it was interesting to see how you each approach projects!
By Nat Keller on November 21, 2014 at 9:27 am
Thanks for the inspiring post, you three. I love pig snout endpapers more than words can say. 🙂
By rgstones on November 21, 2014 at 9:28 am
It’s interesting to learn how illustrators work and get ideas. Thanks.
By Rick Starkey on November 21, 2014 at 9:32 am
I loved seeing the story process from the illustrators side. It’s nice to know that different approaches work for different people. Thank you for sharing!
By Heidi Yates on November 21, 2014 at 9:33 am
I love the perspective of the artists and I wonder if I can be more open to my artistic side… I hope so!
By Deirdre Sheridan Englehart on November 21, 2014 at 9:33 am
What looks like fun must also be lots of hard work at times for you illustrators… How clever you all are! …And what would we PB writers be without you? Thanks!
By Barbara Cairns on November 21, 2014 at 9:34 am
A party puppy and a pig in a wig?!? I MUST read these stories!
By Kimberly Sprinkles Cowger on November 21, 2014 at 9:37 am
Lisa Connors
You ladies have inspired me to start doodling. Thank you!
By lmconnors on November 21, 2014 at 9:39 am
It is so interesting to to see how illustrators’ creative processes work. Thanks for sharing!
By Celeste on November 21, 2014 at 9:39 am
A lot to study here – fascinating. Thank you three times over!
By Cathy Ballou Mealey on November 21, 2014 at 9:40 am
Ha– one if my ideas was Pigs in Wigs—probably a scratch off, now!
By Doris Fisher on November 21, 2014 at 9:41 am
Wow all that talent and inspiration in one blog!! Thanks to all of you for your sharing, my blank page will now be sullied with some of my doodles!
By Margaret Flint Suter on November 21, 2014 at 9:41 am
WOW I’d love to be an artist when I grow up.
By Dee Knabb on November 21, 2014 at 9:41 am
I felt that all of the posts were great fun to read.
By Alice Fulgione on November 21, 2014 at 9:46 am
Such talented ladies! Thank you for sharing your process and inspirations!
By Annie Cronin Romano on November 21, 2014 at 9:47 am
Thanks trio. Though you didn’t talk about it, I’m guessing that you have each other (and other Girlustrators?) to bounce your ideas around with too? How lovely!!
By hmmmmm on November 21, 2014 at 9:47 am
Great look at the illustrators process for seeing a story, Girillustrators. My fav quote? ” I come up with a rough idea or two that can be explored further. It reminds me of a slab of clay that has barely taken shape, but has a lot of potential.”
By kathalsey on November 21, 2014 at 9:49 am
I love a picture post! But every post brings us closer to the end of the month-and I don’t look forward to the end of the month!
By Freckled Daisy Creations on November 21, 2014 at 9:55 am
Interesting to see how an illustrator’s story comes together. Great post, ladies!
By pathaap on November 21, 2014 at 9:56 am
Oh, how I wish I could draw! My hat’s off to you talented ladies!
By Juliana Lee on November 21, 2014 at 9:57 am
It’s great that a book started with a doodle of pig snouts! Maybe I should tap into the power of doodling.
By Jacqueline on November 21, 2014 at 10:02 am
I have branded myself as a non-illustrating writer and these three ladies have not only created ENVY in me, but a sense of possibility as well. I think many of us are visually artistic but can’t draw. There are so many mediums out there and more to be discovered, maybe by a “non- illustrator” like me! Thanks, ladies. Wonderful posts!
By pattywaymedic on November 21, 2014 at 10:06 am
Thank you for this throuple of fun posts!
By cravevsworld on November 21, 2014 at 10:10 am
Wow! You ladies have so much talent! Glad you are inspiring each other.
By Traci Sorell on November 21, 2014 at 10:10 am
I think I may ask Santa for colored pencils. 😉 Thanks for the inspiration x 3!
By Jodi Moore on November 21, 2014 at 10:10 am
Thank you Emma, Caitlin, and Marsha for sharing your talents and inspiration. Love the illustrations.
By Naana Kyereboah on November 21, 2014 at 10:14 am
Thanks for the inspiration!
By Sarah T on November 21, 2014 at 10:15 am
Fun post filled with very talented illustrators!
By ManjuBeth on November 21, 2014 at 10:17 am
Love this triple post! Thanks-
By Lisa Robinson on November 21, 2014 at 10:17 am
As a writer, I always appreciate learning about an artist’s process, and these three different ones are intriguing.
By Susan Cabael on November 21, 2014 at 10:18 am
Your pig snout inspiration is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
By Carolyn Rohrbaugh on November 21, 2014 at 10:19 am
Oh, the places you can go with a doodle! Fun post x 3.
By Nancy Armo on November 21, 2014 at 10:19 am
Thanks for letting us in on your different styles. I love hearing about them. Gives me something new to try. Beautiful work from all of you too!!!
By Tracey M. Cox on November 21, 2014 at 10:19 am
Great post Girllustrators! Thanks!
By Doreen E. Lepore on November 21, 2014 at 10:20 am
So much great information in this post!
By Heather Thurmeier on November 21, 2014 at 10:20 am
Thanks for this peek into your process, Girllustrators!
By Susan Halko on November 21, 2014 at 10:23 am
Great talent and techniques and y’all are in my neck of the woods, too! :0)
By Donna L. Sadd on November 21, 2014 at 10:23 am
This all sounds like a ton of fun! 🙂 -Lily Stejskal
By storyfairy on November 21, 2014 at 10:29 am
Ladies, you are inspiring and so talented! Thanks for sharing how art can lead to a wonderful story. 🎨
By Joyce Tucker on November 21, 2014 at 10:30 am
It’s always fun to see the process of another illustrator! Thanks for sharing, ladies!
By eliseparsley on November 21, 2014 at 10:35 am
This so rocks! All of it. The 32-page layout mockup is a tool I couldn’t live without for conceiving, art-making and writing. Love seeing how each one of you works!
By Erin Nowak on November 21, 2014 at 10:36 am
Fun to hear from three talented illustrators. Thanks for sharing your work and processes.
By rowenarae on November 21, 2014 at 10:38 am
Awesome to hear different perspectives.
By Meghan Daniels on November 21, 2014 at 10:39 am
Such a fun group of women! This was a lovely post, thank you! And pigs are my favorite animal! -MK O’Keefe
By mkokeefe on November 21, 2014 at 10:41 am
Thanks for sharing your processes!
By Joseph Miller on November 21, 2014 at 10:42 am
A “behind-the-scenes” look is always interesting to me. Thanks!
By Tom Barrett on November 21, 2014 at 10:42 am
Thanks for sharing girls! Its great to see things from an illustrators perspective…or in this case 3!!
By cartwomey on November 21, 2014 at 10:46 am
I love this! Great inspiration!
By thislittlebirdie on November 21, 2014 at 10:48 am
I admire the work of illustrators so much!! I wish I had the talent – beautiful work, all 3 of you!!!
By kjfoote on November 21, 2014 at 10:49 am
Cool! I loved looking into all three very different and fascinating processes.
By lindaschueler on November 21, 2014 at 10:56 am
Such different approaches from my own. Gives me a lot to think about…
By Mary Worley on November 21, 2014 at 10:59 am
Very creative! Thanks for the inside look 🙂
By Stephanie Geckle (@SPGeckle) on November 21, 2014 at 11:01 am
I love to see other illustrator/writers’ processes! Yours is inspirational, though a lot more organization than I’m used to!
By kevanjatt on November 21, 2014 at 11:08 am
Three different ways of doing, of creating. Love it… Wish I could draw so well. Fascinating to see how you can reach a similar aim in three different ways.. Thanks
By Isabelle Barth on November 21, 2014 at 11:08 am
Great inspiration, ladies! Love seeing your process.
By Susie on November 21, 2014 at 11:08 am
Wonderful, inspirational posts…all 3 of them!! I like how ideas can come out of doodles or in all 3 cases professional drawings! I doodle often and laugh at my sketches as I am not considered an illustrator…. But I don’t let that stop me….heeeheehehee! Thank you for sharing your time with us!
By Kelly Vavala on November 21, 2014 at 11:10 am
Thanks for a peek (three peeks, actually) into your creative processes. I love seeing how the art comes together.
By Debbie Austin on November 21, 2014 at 11:11 am
Thanks for the reminder on using the thumbnail guide, will push thru that slow stage. Wow to three talents in one post!
By The Styling Librarian on November 21, 2014 at 11:11 am
What a talented bunch! Thanks for the insight into your varied processes. So interesting!
By Lori Alexander on November 21, 2014 at 11:16 am
Thanks Tara for including illustrators! What a great post.
By loriannlevyholm on November 21, 2014 at 11:23 am
It occurred to me today (revelation really) that in day to day conflicts/issues etc. I tackle the conflict with a mind mapping type of process but as of yet I’ve never actually tried using that technique to develop or process a story. I’m intrigued by the possibilities. Thank you all for sharing your processing techniques as they made me think about mine and now I have another tool to use.
By Julie Durr on November 21, 2014 at 11:24 am
Thank you all for letting us peek into your creative worlds and for sharing your inspirations- so helpful. Today I’m going to dig into one of my favorite books and look more closely at the artwork, not just the words.
By carolynscombs on November 21, 2014 at 11:27 am
You all make me want to break out the crayons! 🙂 I am not an illustrator. I do admire your beautiful work! Thank you all for a peek at your process.
By Janie Reinart on November 21, 2014 at 11:29 am
What a fun post! Also, I love the picture with Marsha and the knife. Hilarious!
By jngallaher on November 21, 2014 at 11:31 am
Three times the creativity 🙂 love it! Thanks ladies for an inspirational post.
By Dawn Young on November 21, 2014 at 11:33 am
Wow! The inspiration and talent are just dripping from this post!
By LovableLobo on November 21, 2014 at 11:33 am
Fabulous! I wish I were an illustrator!
By kpbock on November 21, 2014 at 11:35 am
It’s helpful to writers to know how illustrators work. Thank you.
By Sydney O'Neill on November 21, 2014 at 11:37 am
Thank you so much Emma, Caitlin and Marsha. It’s interesting to get three different perspectives.
By daynesislendesign on November 21, 2014 at 11:37 am
Very inspirational! Thank you!
By vickireinhardt2014 on November 21, 2014 at 11:38 am
I enjoy hearing how illustrators process their stories. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
By Patricia Toht on November 21, 2014 at 11:45 am
Oh how I wish I had the talent of these ladies!
By Christine Michaela Sharpe on November 21, 2014 at 11:45 am
Thank you for sharing your process! It’s always inspirational to see how other illustrators form compositions and concepts.
By BHandiboe on November 21, 2014 at 11:56 am
I’m totally unfamiliar with the idea of doodling my way into inspiration–I’m a words person–but I just might try it! I really enjoyed all three of these posts.
By deborahholtwilliams on November 21, 2014 at 11:58 am
Thank you for sharing all three of your inspirational and helpful processes.
By LaurenKerstein on November 21, 2014 at 12:08 pm
I never thought to use a highlighter to connect ideas in a bubble chart. I’ll have to try it. Thanks for all the great ideas.
By Carol Nelson on November 21, 2014 at 12:09 pm
I love how each of these illustrators had completely different ways of thinking and working, yet each has something valuable to offer us! Emma’s Pig in a Wig process made me smile. I could totally relate to Caitlin’s book collection (I have one for inspiration too!) & loved the highlighter idea, & Marsha just sucked me in with those rich paintings! I am going to look for the thumbnail articles right now!!! Thank you!!!
Michele Katz
By creationsbymit on November 21, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Marsha, Caitlin and Emma I love your work.
By Nina Haines on November 21, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Oh. My. Goodness. I LOVE this post. You three ladies are amazing!! I just love hearing the processes illustrators use. What an honor it must be for an author to have any one of you illustrate their work! Each one of your posts just made me smile – we authors SO appreciate you!! Thank you for bringing our words to life and for letting us into your world for just a bit with this post.
By Susie Sawyer on November 21, 2014 at 12:22 pm
What this post needs is… nothing! Thanks to all three awesome illustrators for giving me a peek into your creative process.
By JEN Garrett on November 21, 2014 at 12:24 pm
It was a pleasure to see how an illustrator starts with art to create a story. Thank you ladies.
By Sandy Powell on November 21, 2014 at 12:26 pm
I love when books have endpapers that correspond with the story. Those pig snouts are adorable!
By Jennifer Sommer on November 21, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Such inspiration! Thank you.
By Zainab on November 21, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Thanks for sharing your creative process, Ladies! Loved the tips and hints. Blessings of success to all of you.
By Cathy Biggerstaff on November 21, 2014 at 12:31 pm
Thanks for sharing your artistic approaches to creating picture books!
By Janine Johns on November 21, 2014 at 12:32 pm
thanks for the post. I enjoyed learning how illustrators work on a book.
By l8k8 on November 21, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Love to see other illustrators work in progress – and the fact we got three in one is awesome. Thanks Tara and the Girllustrators!
By angelapadron on November 21, 2014 at 12:36 pm
How lovely to be treated this morning with inspiration from three talented illustrators! Many thanks!
By Mary Jane on November 21, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Pig snout end pages, bubble charts, and Blake — oh my, thanks for today’s inspiration and helpful hints of how your stories begin and take shape.
By Lori Dubbin on November 21, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Thanks for sharing. I now dig Pig in a Wig!
By danielledufayet on November 21, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Thank you for sharing your talents with us! Illustrations make a PB the fun way to spend time.
By kathyh1121 on November 21, 2014 at 12:46 pm
As an Illustrator,I found that really inspiring, thanks!
By Claire O'Brien on November 21, 2014 at 12:52 pm
I love seeing how illustrators work. I was fortunate enough to be in a critique group with three fine illustrators and it influenced how I thought about my picture book manuscripts, even though I am not an illustrator.
By Judy Cox on November 21, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Thanks for the great post(s). As a writer, I’m learning more and more how important it is to hang out with illustrators and try to think more as they do — visually — when telling stories . . .
By Christy Mihaly on November 21, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Wow, ladies. Such talent. Love it, a “three in one” inspiring post. Thanks!
By Debra Shumaker on November 21, 2014 at 12:57 pm
I took delight in the beauty and creativity contained in this post this morning. Thank you!
By Andrea Poppleton on November 21, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Loved these essays, thanks for sharing.
By Nicole Turner on November 21, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Love the pig snouts, story boards, work spaces, sketches, ideas…thanks for showing us the visual parts of your process.
By Anne Lei-Yeung So on November 21, 2014 at 1:10 pm
Love seeing these books blossom from doodle-buds. Wonderful!
By kateywrites on November 21, 2014 at 1:12 pm
As a (totally) non-illustrator, I found it fascinating to see how a story can evolve from doodles. And I forgot about using word bubbles to brainstorm. Will have to give that a try this month!
By Bethany Roberts on November 21, 2014 at 1:14 pm
As a writer, I always welcome insight into how illustrators work. Thank you for bringing us three different perspectives!
By tpierce on November 21, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Thrilled to be hearing from illustrators, especially after recognizing some from other social media platforms! Thank you for letting us take a sneak peek at your process 🙂
By Jessie on November 21, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Three posts in one was a nice surprise today. I really enjoyed getting three different authors perspectives on creating a picture book. It was interesting to see how they go about creating a book. Each is different, but there is something to learn from all three. Thank you for sharing this post. I enjoyed reading each of your thoughts and ideas.
By Ashley Bankhead on November 21, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Great posts, Ladies! 🙂
By Ashley Bohmer on November 21, 2014 at 1:21 pm
It is always so neat to see how ideas start and are transformed. Thanks for the great post ladies.
By Bonnie on November 21, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Love to see how others approach writing and illustrating and seeing how random thoughts can morph into picture books. Thanks ladies!
By Celeste Elbert on November 21, 2014 at 1:29 pm
Headed to twitter to follow now! Thanks!
By Cassandra Federman on November 21, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Great to read/see the illustrator side of pb creation!
By Amy Harding on November 21, 2014 at 2:03 pm
Thank you all for sharing your process and your beautiful art !
By Mary Warth on November 21, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Thank you, ladies, for the illustrators’ perspectives! Pig noses! Dummies! More dummies! Thumb nails!
We all should keep doing what we love, for sure.
By Natasha on November 21, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Thanks for sharing your process!
By Laura Bellina on November 21, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Totally fascinated by all three – but I REALLY wanna know what the story is with Marsha and that knife! Yikes!! 😀
By Joanne Sher on November 21, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Wow!!! Thank you for letting us in your world to see how your writing process is done. It was informative and remarkable. It seem to me to be so simple and fun. Thank you again!
By melsul09 on November 21, 2014 at 2:26 pm
An amazing Trifecta! Thank you for showing the process and your inspiring drawings, beginnings to illustrated books.
By Pam Miller on November 21, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Thank you Emma, Caitlin, and Marsha for sharing your inspiring methods of writing and illustrating. Texas may be known as the Lone Star State… but it has “many stars” that shine within it! Thanks for sprinkling your sparkle for all to enjoy.
By Rita Allmon on November 21, 2014 at 2:30 pm
Enjoyed the triple post! Thanks sharing your work in progress.
By Therese Nagi on November 21, 2014 at 2:48 pm
Pig in a wig, oh my! What a great idea! Too bad Emma’s already done that — well, not too bad for Emma. Kudos to her! But too bad for me — although I would never have thought of it without Emma having already done it. BUT, thanks to Emma, Caitlin and Marsha writing about their process, I was struck with a great NEW idea. Thanks, Girllustrators!
By jhayslett on November 21, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Time to play with art! Awesome! Thank you, Emma, Caitlin, and Marsha for the inspiration. Marsha, my daughter LOOOOOOVES Critter Club! 🙂
By Carrie Charley Brown on November 21, 2014 at 2:50 pm
You are all so talented! Thank you for your posts and inspiration, it was wonderful to see the procedure of your illustrations/stories.
By Jabeen on November 21, 2014 at 2:52 pm
Thank you for sharing your insights!
By Jan Milusich on November 21, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Thank you so much! i was feeling uninspired today and read this around lunchtime. Now I am convinced I won’t have to skip a day in the challege.
By Leslie Raith on November 21, 2014 at 2:58 pm
I loved hearing your varying processes. I’m definitely going to try doodling even though I’m not an illustrator as a way to unlock some ideas.
Thank you Emma, Caitlin & Marsha for the inspiration!
By mariagianferrari on November 21, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Thank you all for sharing your processes. We all see the pictures in our heads, but aren’t brave enough to attempt drawings. I loved seeing how you formulate your stories. Helps bring home the bacon. Okay bad joke, but I had to think of something. HeHe
By Marge Gower on November 21, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Love the 3 posts. Love to see other illustrators writting. Thanks a Lot!!!
By Maria J Cuesta on November 21, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Thank you all for sharing your sketches and processes. It was very fascinating to watch the illustrative process. Very insightful.
By Maria Marshall on November 21, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Lots of people are telling us to doodle…. I’m so glad we don’t have to hand in doodling and rough drafts with manuscript submissions! LOL…. but I’m trying to give all these great ideas a whirl!
By orthodoxmom3 on November 21, 2014 at 3:11 pm
First off, thanks Tara! for bringing these 3 talented individuals to us today. And to Emma, Caitlin, and Marsha: you’re awesome and inspiring. Have take-aways from each of you that really really resonated with me. An incredibly helpful post. Marty McCormick
By Marty McCormick on November 21, 2014 at 3:13 pm
A trio of such talented ladies! I look forward to getting copies of all of your works. Thank you for the inspiration!
By Dianne Burch on November 21, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Many thanks to Emma, Caitlin, and Marsha, for opening up your world for picture book writers to experience. Each process is truly instructive.
By Anne Bromley on November 21, 2014 at 3:17 pm
This is so inspiring! I love being able to see the process of an idea turn into the finished process. Loved this!
By Karen A on November 21, 2014 at 3:20 pm
Thanks for the ideas and the inspiration, Emma, Caitlin, and Marsha! I’m going to try out your processes.
By gabisnyder on November 21, 2014 at 3:23 pm
Love all 3! Thank you, love me.
By Michelle O'Hara Levin on November 21, 2014 at 3:27 pm
I love seeing the different processes. I’m not an illustrator, but I now have a desire to doodle pig snouts! Is that a pig lost in space? Can’t wait to read about the pig in a wig. Umm, what is your story question/thematic statement?
By Mary McClellan on November 21, 2014 at 3:45 pm
Yay for Girllustrators!! Love this and the template was extremely helpful for me as I’m forming my very first picture book. Thanks!
By Erika Hitchcock on November 21, 2014 at 3:47 pm
What fun the three of you must have together! Thanks for the interesting posts. Go Girllustrators!
By Sherry Walz on November 21, 2014 at 3:53 pm
Interesting post about how artists conquer, and succeed.
By Jenifer McNamara on November 21, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Love to see the illustrative process. Thanks for sharing.
By Daryl Gottier on November 21, 2014 at 3:59 pm
happy to see fellow illustrauthors share their wisdom! doodle power!
By Daniela Weil on November 21, 2014 at 4:00 pm
Thanks to all 3 of you. Triple the post today and loved hearing about three different wasy to approach a project.
By lindamartinandersen on November 21, 2014 at 4:04 pm
You go, Girllustrators! This is a great illustrator perspective and process post. I appreciate being able to see the thumbnails, sketches, and doodles that inspired your projects. For some time I shared a studio with two other women. We still get together even though we no longer share our space. I wish each of you success in the children’s book world.
By M Lapointe Malchik (@imartytweet) on November 21, 2014 at 4:07 pm
That was a fun and informative tour. Thank you.
By jdewdropsofink on November 21, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Oink! Oink! The three of you have loaded us with valuable resources. The Girlustrators are powerful artists who have empowered “newbies” with amazing thoughts on doodling and illustration process. Thank you.
By Sandie Sing on November 21, 2014 at 4:17 pm
Thank you for all the wonderful visual inspiration!
– Lynn A. Davidson
By Lynn on November 21, 2014 at 4:22 pm
Thank you for the post – the illustrator process is a great perspective.
By Cindy Greene on November 21, 2014 at 4:24 pm
Thank you to all three of you. I had a lot of fun seeing your pictures and reading how they come about.
By Dorothy Wiese on November 21, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Three for one – what a deal! Not being an illustrator, I enjoyed seeing how the pictures/drawing come to life. Neat post!
By Debra Daugherty on November 21, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Thanks for posting. It’s always nice to see an illustrator’s writing process!
By Sandi Lawson on November 21, 2014 at 4:49 pm
I love your pig in a wig drawings! There may be hope for me as an illustrator yet! Thanks for a great post.
By kariail2013 on November 21, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Great post! Thank you for the inspiration!
By Sheri Dillard on November 21, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Thanks for the great inspiration today!
By rmcg14 on November 21, 2014 at 4:59 pm
A lot of useful and inspirational advice here – thank you ladies 🙂
By Cat on November 21, 2014 at 5:05 pm
Nice fresh perspectives here. Thanks!
By Julie Murphy on November 21, 2014 at 5:13 pm
I LOVE THIS! I love seeing the world and idea-finding through the eyes of illustrators. Ladies, all of your art is LOVELY! Thanks for sharing your diverse processes 🙂
By Marcy P. on November 21, 2014 at 5:16 pm
It’s great to seeing the beginning of ideas from illustrators’ perspectives and I know some of you in Austin!
By Gloria Amescua on November 21, 2014 at 5:28 pm
I am always struck by the diversity in writing and illustrating.
By teresa m.i. schaefer (@TMISchaefer) on November 21, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Three unique ladies and three unique processes. Thanks for sharing them with us. I appreciate your time and inspiration. Will be checking out your web sites.
By Beth Blee on November 21, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Triple-header! Super fun. I think EVERY story needs a pig in a wig! And I also think I need to draw more. Definitely.
By Genevieve Petrillo on November 21, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Loved the peek at writing books from an illustrator’s point of view. Thanks!
By Sandy Perlic on November 21, 2014 at 5:44 pm
So interesting. I loved reading about the process for these three ladies. Thanks a bunch.
By Cathy Breisacher on November 21, 2014 at 6:03 pm
It’s magical how a simple idea or image blossoms into a beautiful picture book. Super fun post! I think I’ll try to draw some ideas!
By donnacangelosi on November 21, 2014 at 6:03 pm
It is so interesting to see how an illustrator’s process works, as compared to a writer’s. Thanks for sharing.
By Janet Halfmann on November 21, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Ok, I’m off to doodle pig snouts!
By Stephan Stuecklin on November 21, 2014 at 6:16 pm
I like to draw and although I’m not an illustrator, I’m going to try drawing for inspiration. Thanks for sharing your processes 🙂
By Theresa Love on November 21, 2014 at 6:19 pm
This post makes me want to take art lessons!
By kathydoherty1 on November 21, 2014 at 6:35 pm
Love seeing other people’s dummy books.
By colleen kosinski on November 21, 2014 at 6:41 pm
Love the wig! And, I’m intrigued by the idea bubbles. I’m going to try this as a way to get thoughts down before they float away! Thank you so much!
By Virginia Law Manning on November 21, 2014 at 6:42 pm
I love learning about the way folks process. Thank you X3.
By Shirley Timberlake Fadden on November 21, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Happy baby, Marsha!
By Josh Funk on November 21, 2014 at 7:06 pm
Thank you Marsha, Caitlin and Emma. Your posts were so great and make me want to get out there and draw! It’s great to see what other people do.
Marsha your drawings remind me a bit of a local illustrator friend’s drawings (Akemi Ito), but the finals look so much different (don’t kill me for saying that)!
Caitlin I could learn so much for you about organization. I’m always somewhat organized, but in a completely chaotic way.
Emma I love your story! It’s so great how the smallest doodle can turn into the best idea ever.
Thank you all!
By Dani Duck on November 21, 2014 at 7:11 pm
I think I want to hang out in Austin, TX! Thanks ladies!
By katmaz2012 on November 21, 2014 at 7:20 pm
I love, love, love reading about other illustrators and their process! I going try the bubble idea generator. Thanks for sharing your work!
By Carrie O'Neill on November 21, 2014 at 7:25 pm
I feel grateful to be able to read about each artists ideas. It really is so helpful and a treat.
By Kaye Baillie on November 21, 2014 at 7:26 pm
Pigs and wigs and doodles and dummies. Thanks so much for three times the inspiration.
By mona861 on November 21, 2014 at 7:51 pm
Note to self: Think like an illustrator!
By Carrie Finison on November 21, 2014 at 7:53 pm
These were all interesting. It’s always interesting and enlightening, listening to illustrators.
By Cindy S on November 21, 2014 at 7:57 pm
I love seeing how illustrators create. And I love how story can come in so many different ways (phone doodling works for me, too!) Thanks for the triple dose of awesome!
By Laurie L Young on November 21, 2014 at 8:14 pm
Wow, I loved seeing three different creative processes from these super creative ladies! So much fun! Thanks, Emma, Caitlin, and Marsha!
By Holly Ruppel on November 21, 2014 at 8:27 pm
Great seeing three different artists’ creative processes!! Thanks!
By Jill Siegel on November 21, 2014 at 8:31 pm
I loved hearing how each of you approaches finding and developing a story… Just goes to show there’s no one way to put your finger on a pig in a wig!
By jshaklan on November 21, 2014 at 8:42 pm
Thinking like an illustrator, this will help with creativity, thank you for sharing.
By Jennifer Huls on November 21, 2014 at 8:53 pm
Not one, but three new-to-me illustrators and authors. Bliss!
By KJ Bateman on November 21, 2014 at 9:05 pm
I loved seeing picture books laid out as thumbnails. the talent shown in this post is amazing and so humbling for me–something for me to aspire to! Thank you for sharing!
By danielle hammelef on November 21, 2014 at 9:14 pm
What a fun post! Makes me wish I could draw. Thank you for sharing.
By klmcmorranmaus on November 21, 2014 at 9:23 pm
though I am an author (not, but wish I was, illustrator), I often think visually. I may try to do thumbnail illustrations w/my pitiful stick figures for a story or two to see how that works. Thanks for all the fun, inspirational tips!
By Heather Pierce Stigall on November 21, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Loved seeing all of your processes! Thanks a bunch for sharing!
By Kathryn Ault Noble on November 21, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Interesting post with 3 different perspectives. Thanks!
By Christine M. Irvin on November 21, 2014 at 9:59 pm
Great to hear about 3 different ways that illustrators find their muses. I am not artistic in the slightest, but I think I should take another look at those doodles I made while I was on the phone the other day….
By Jane Heitman Healy on November 21, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Thanks girllustrators! I now want to draw away the night.
By Jon Blauvelt on November 21, 2014 at 10:01 pm
I envy you Girllustrators–you have such a group of fun, talented, inspirational women in one group. Thanks for giving us a peek today!
By Pat Miller on November 21, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Wow. I would love to spend a day with each of them.. What talent. What creativity. I love rhyme, so I especially loved the Pig story.
By Sherri Jones Rivers on November 21, 2014 at 10:32 pm
today’s idea will have to start with a doodle or a sketch if only I could draw but I am going to give it a try thanks girllustrators
By Sharon Giltrow on November 21, 2014 at 10:37 pm
I loved your post.
By Ann Bentley on November 21, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Ahhh – to be an illustrator …. I am a writer, but definitely not an artist – loved reading about that beautiful process of illustrating. I do imagine certain pictures as I write – just wish I could do them! Thank you for sharing your inspiration ladies!
By Vicki Wilke on November 21, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Super fun and inspiring to see the illustrators’ processes!
By Shari Schwarz (@csschwarz) on November 21, 2014 at 10:43 pm
These posts make me think maybe I should try doodle brainstorming my stories, even though I can’t draw.
By hethfeth on November 21, 2014 at 10:52 pm
Thanx for validating my process of “drawing on Ideas” !
By Stephen Martin on November 21, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Thanks for sharing your processes. I love that they’re all different though there are some similar key points. I’m also an illustrator just starting to think about writing.
By Mishka Jaeger on November 21, 2014 at 11:09 pm
I love hearing how others get their inspiration and ideas…and then follow through with their own process, tailored to their way of doing things. I appreciate your generous sharing, ladies…you are a trio of talent, to be sure. 😉
By viviankirkfield on November 21, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Thanks so much for sharing the ways you each pull a story together. I loved the poem by William Blake ~ and the little girl with the rabbit is adorable ~ I also nabbed those templates. (thanks Tara and Debbie Ohi – Debbie’s great, very giving as well – not sure how I missed those on her site ~ and you’re great too, Tara! 😀 )
By Tracy on November 21, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing
By Hélène Sabourin on November 21, 2014 at 11:17 pm
It was interesting seeing how three people developed their ideas.Sounds like a great group in Austin. Thanks !
By Claire Vita on November 21, 2014 at 11:21 pm
I loved seeing how a picture book idea comes into being from an illustrator’s perspective! Thanks for sharing!
By Maria Bostian on November 21, 2014 at 11:27 pm
I’m triple inspired! Thanks!
By Janny J Johnson on November 21, 2014 at 11:32 pm
Such an interesting peek into your process. And yours. And yours. A trifecta peek. Thank you. And you. And you.
By Dana Murphy on November 21, 2014 at 11:45 pm
Thank you for all the inspiration!
By Joan Kassmann on November 21, 2014 at 11:47 pm
!Emma, Caitlin y Marsha, Las Girllustrators de Austin, Texas, sus ilustradores son excepcionales! Gracias. ~Suzy Leopold
By Prairie Garden Girl on November 21, 2014 at 11:54 pm
Great inspiration!
By rmcg14 on November 22, 2014 at 12:11 am
Great advice! Love that pig in the wig.
By Jessie Oliveros on November 22, 2014 at 12:16 am
These posts make me want to take some art classes… not to illustrate my books but to be able to doodle with more then stick figures. I loved all your sketches and how the process created a story. Thanks 🙂
By Karen Lawler on November 22, 2014 at 12:30 am
Always amazed to hear about how illustrators think and create. 😊
By Keila Dawson on November 22, 2014 at 12:54 am
Thanks for letting us into your process!
By Deborah Patz on November 22, 2014 at 12:57 am
You’ve all made me want to run to get my sketchbook! Even the quick sketches are terrific!
By Linda Baie on November 22, 2014 at 1:23 am
Proving the maxim ‘To each his own…process.” How important, and rewarding, to discover your own way to work your dreams into a story. This was a delightful exploration of three wonderful storytellers’ hearts. Thanks ladies.
By SevenAcreSky on November 22, 2014 at 1:33 am
Very neat to hear from all of you – thank you!
By tphumiruk on November 22, 2014 at 1:44 am
To think a doodle could become a book.
By sherry alexander on November 22, 2014 at 1:52 am
Thumbnails, and bubble charts and pig snouts, oh my! So many avenues for inspiration. Thank you, Girllustrators!
By sardyhar on November 22, 2014 at 1:58 am
Appreciate the 3-for-1 post! Triple the fun, triple the inspiration!
By Julie Hampton on November 22, 2014 at 2:55 am
Great to the power of 3!
By Kira Kia Fruit Nims on November 22, 2014 at 3:19 am
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! And Emma and Caitlin!! Excellent posts ladies! Wonderful advice and beautiful work! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
By mbeaversillustration on November 22, 2014 at 4:02 am
My favorite post so far! I love looking at illustrator’s sketches from inspirational doodle to finished spread. Magic!
By Yvonne Mes on November 22, 2014 at 4:16 am
Wonderful art and love the posts. Thank you!
By CJ Lucas on November 22, 2014 at 5:46 am
Wonderful posts! The different approaches are a great reminder that there is no “right way” to create. Thanks for the encouragement!
By billiesgirl on November 22, 2014 at 8:12 am
So much fun to see a book developed from visual inspiration. Love Austin SCBWI!
By QuinnC on November 22, 2014 at 9:40 am
Love this post….amazing illustrators! Makes me want to draw and doodle and paint!
By Rebekah Hoeft on November 22, 2014 at 10:06 am
Oh, to think in pictures! Thanks for sharing your processes.
By laura516 on November 22, 2014 at 10:31 am
Thanks to all three illustrators for their generosity of time and inspiration!
You have turned my attention to the potential for my amateur watercolor works and photography images as potential story-starters!
I love the piggy endpapers and Nacho Pup seems like quite the party animal!
By csheer18 on November 22, 2014 at 10:41 am
Great post Girlustrators!! Wonderful pictures. It reminds me to start sketching for inspiration.
By Kathy Cornell Berman on November 22, 2014 at 11:04 am
It’s so illuminating to see how a story grows from illustrator’s perspective as opposed to a writer’s – and this is from a writer who wants to illustrate (who even knows if that’s possible, but i’ll keep trying). Plus, my daughter’s current fave is Critter’s Club, so I was extra excited to read about Marsha’s process. It’s great how this competition helps my mind “see” from so many new angles… i’m so thankful. Now… I have to go and think up my next idea!
By Elle Kwan on November 22, 2014 at 11:21 am
Coming in late, not sure if I’m allowed to comment,- but here goes….
A nice process post. Nifty visuals.
By Nancy Colle on November 22, 2014 at 11:22 am
I am so inspired by looking at the ilustrator’s work and thought processes and their scribblings into the final process or outcome. Gives me new ideas from the scribblings I make when sitting at those restaurants with poster paper on the table and crayons. Maybe I could add pictures to a story instead of just the text, but after going to SCBWI conferences I think I’ll
Just write stories.
By Sheri Rad on November 22, 2014 at 11:35 am
Love the variety of approaches of this combo. Wish I could draw. I can’t wait to bubble chart a story I’m working on. Hit me just at the right moment! Thanks,
By cantsing1 on November 22, 2014 at 11:48 am
As a writer, I love learning more about the illustrators’ process. Thank you for this peek into your world.
By Amanda Smith on November 22, 2014 at 11:49 am
Three fabulous reads… I’m sending the link off to my illustrator’s group right now!
By Aidan Cassie on November 22, 2014 at 12:10 pm
I love the emphasis on playfulness! I really want to win Nacho the Party Puppy! That sounds like so much fun! 🙂
By Lindsay Bonilla on November 22, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Awesome insight into the illustrator’s process — thanks!
By Lizabeth Pirstl on November 22, 2014 at 12:45 pm
You’re right, these are truly inspirational. I appreciated each and every one of them. I wasn’t quite sure about the knife though. But then, I guess we can’t all own a grade school paper cutter, huh.
Great job girls. Thanks.
Lynn
By zebrakitchens on November 22, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Fantastic! The blogs have been inspirational, motivational etc etc etc!!!! 🙂
By seschipper on November 22, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Lots of inspiration here! Love learning Emma’s process, Caitlin’s bubble technique, and Marsha’s wordless storytelling.
By Romelle Broas on November 22, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Three brilliant creatives. Each a different process. All gifting the world with their talent. Thank you, ladies for giving us a peek into your artful process!!!
By Lori Mozdzierz on November 22, 2014 at 3:10 pm
I love getting the illustrator’s perspective since I have almost 0 drawing talent, it helps me understand the whole process more.
By Jenna Woloshyn on November 22, 2014 at 3:31 pm
My favorite!!! I am totally inspired, thanks to you gals :>)
By Patricia Saunders on November 22, 2014 at 4:40 pm
Three wonderful posts in one! The inspiration is flowing. Thank you!!
By Maria Oka on November 22, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Very inspiring, helpful and motivating post! Thank you!
By babybluesnowflake on November 22, 2014 at 6:21 pm
It was fun to read about three different creative processes. Love the smiling- with-knife photo, Marsha!
By Melanie Ellsworth on November 22, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Oh how I wish I could illustrate like you gals! I am but a writer. Great post!
By Micki Ginsberg on November 22, 2014 at 6:41 pm
I enjoyed your post. Looks like you have fun. : )
By Amy Houts on November 22, 2014 at 7:03 pm
thank you ladies!
By Anita Banks on November 22, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Really cool to see the process in action. Beautiful work by all of the above. Thanks for such a wonderful post!
By jeanjames on November 22, 2014 at 8:22 pm
Great post! I love the idea of a pig in a wig.
By Janet Smart on November 22, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Oh, how did I miss this post..what a glorious conglomeration of artistic inspiration! So glad I found the email msg and came over. 🙂
By teresarobeson on November 22, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Thanks, ladies – a trifecta of inspiration!
By Tracy Molitors on November 22, 2014 at 9:21 pm
It’s fun to hear about illustrator’s processes. Thank you.
By Michelle Cusolito on November 22, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Great inspiration! Thank you!
By Erin O'Brien on November 22, 2014 at 10:39 pm
I love to write it out in the pages, though I avoid the thumbnails being visually artistically challenged…but not all the time 🙂 Sometimes my lousy drawings make me laugh and come up with more ideas
By erikammon on November 22, 2014 at 11:47 pm
Tri-thanks to a tri-dose of inspiration! Tri-terrific!
By Penny Parker Klostermann on November 22, 2014 at 11:51 pm
Stunning!
By Zach Ratcliffe on November 23, 2014 at 12:17 am
This really makes me wish I could draw.
By AlenaT on November 23, 2014 at 12:25 am
Lovely posts! Thank you all.
By Kathryn Cunningham on November 23, 2014 at 2:46 am
I really enjoy reading from the illustrator’s viewpoint. And thank you for the sample story board.
By ducks33 on November 23, 2014 at 8:40 am
Thank you Girlustrators! I really enjoyed each of your process, looking forward to your posts on Twitter!! 🙂
By Donna Rossman on November 23, 2014 at 9:39 am
Great post. Thanks.
By Karen Brueggeman on November 23, 2014 at 9:47 am
Thank you for sharing your personal creative journeys with us!
By Anna Levin on November 23, 2014 at 10:53 am
Beautiful work, ladies! Thanks for sharing!
By marciecolleen on November 23, 2014 at 11:03 am
“And a birthday hot dog five miles long!” Our copy of Nacho is about to lose it’s hot dog flap after millions of readings, so this really is a great prize. I enjoyed learning about each illustrator’s approach.
By Lauri Meyers on November 23, 2014 at 11:07 am
Inspiration overload! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
By tanjabauerle on November 23, 2014 at 11:50 am
Totally inspired by these incredible illustrators!
Pigs with wigs… brilliant!
By Stacey Shubitz on November 23, 2014 at 12:22 pm
Thank you so such an interesting post!
By Elizabeth Brown on November 23, 2014 at 1:06 pm
Thanks ladies!
By Lisa Ventrella on November 23, 2014 at 1:29 pm
Wow. I can’t wait to read these books.
By Jessica Miller-Nims on November 23, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Makes me wish I could illustrate! Thanks for the great post.
By June Smalls on November 23, 2014 at 2:37 pm
I loved seeing your illustrations and learning about your process!
By kirsticall on November 23, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Thank you ALL for sharing! The pig snouts and pigs in wigs are hilarious!
By Ann K on November 23, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
By Shari Della Penna on November 23, 2014 at 5:23 pm
Very very nice entires ‘Girllustrators’! I am fortunate enough to have a couple of very talented illustrators in my children’s writing group. Their approach to story telling is so unique and the drawings alone provide such inspiration. One just participated in an event called ‘Inktober’. She blew me away with the variety of sketches she came up with every day in October. I think she blew herself away as well and has so much more confidence now. I have such respect for the three of you and my pals. The illustrations can make a break a story and clearly each of yours illuminated yours… like crazy! Woulld love to see them all. 🙂
By Pauline Johnson on November 23, 2014 at 5:55 pm
Thank you so much for charging your process and wonderful sketches.
By Tarryn Lean (@TarrynLean) on November 23, 2014 at 6:55 pm
Thank you!
By nicolezoltack on November 23, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Oh what fun they are, thank you for your post. Very informative.
By Mark A. Bentz on November 23, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Brain and eye candy, all of it. Thank you!
By Karen Calloway on November 23, 2014 at 10:30 pm
Thanks ladies for your great posts! Triple the inspiration! 🙂
By lbouck09 on November 24, 2014 at 12:00 am
Wow, a triple post and loved them ALL! What I especially love is seeing, side-by-side, the differences in how 3 illustrators approach their work. Thanks, ladies! 🙂
By writersideup on November 24, 2014 at 12:02 am
LOVED seeing how you as writer/illustrators work on a new concept. Being a writer/illustrator myself I can sometimes feel like it’s a bit overwhelming. (No leaving the details to the illustrator… I am the illustrator.) Thanks for your insight and being basically being amazing. 🙂
By Meridth Gimbel (@Meridth_Gimbel) on November 24, 2014 at 12:08 am
I love getting insider tips from the minds of illustrators! And the art is just amazing! Thanks, ladies.
By RaChelle Lisiecki on November 24, 2014 at 8:48 am
Loved hearing how your ideas form. I long to illustrate some day! 🙂
By authorshannonanderson on November 24, 2014 at 9:16 am
Awesome posts and fun pics!
By jenswan90 on November 24, 2014 at 9:26 am
Love illustrator process posts. It’s a whole other world!
By Laura Purdie Salas on November 24, 2014 at 9:41 am
this is wonderful…thanks for sharing!
By katiemillsgiorgio on November 24, 2014 at 10:43 am
Thanks for the chance to win a prize!
By kdveiten on November 24, 2014 at 11:46 am
Great post! I loved seeing how each of you worked on a new idea, taking it from concept to finished picture book. Thank you for sharing your process.
By saputnam on November 24, 2014 at 12:32 pm
i love bubble charts and graphs, I will be using more of these! Thanks for the great post!
By Michelle Church on November 24, 2014 at 12:44 pm
As an illustrator myself it was so fun to see how you each work on the beginnings of a new story. Great post!
By Joan Waites on November 24, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Great to see how illustrators approach picture books. Thanks.
By Shirley Menendez on November 24, 2014 at 5:28 pm
Girl Power!
By Matt Tesoriero on November 24, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Enjoyed reading how each one processes the work. Great post!
By shirley johnson on November 24, 2014 at 8:04 pm
Fun to see all three processes.
By Laurie J. Edwards on November 24, 2014 at 8:18 pm
Emma, Caitlin and Marsha: I loved hearing how your ideas developed through the art creating process! Thanks!!
By rdvanhorn on November 24, 2014 at 10:27 pm
All three of you are amazing. I admire artists so much. Great post!
By kmshelley on November 25, 2014 at 11:34 am
Three amazing, inspiring posts.
By Priya on November 25, 2014 at 4:13 pm
What a clever post! Thanks for sharing such talent!
By Barbara Cairns on November 25, 2014 at 4:29 pm
I absolutely loved seeing the three different ways that these authors approach a book project. It just solidified for me that there is no one way to do it. I also loved seeing the thumbnails.
By Janet Bailey on November 26, 2014 at 12:09 am
You girllustrators are fabulous! I’d love to hang out and paint with all of you! Thanks for the inspiration, and for sharing your art which is always great fun to see.
By wendymyersart on November 26, 2014 at 2:33 am
Loved the illo tips
By calisue on November 26, 2014 at 3:26 am
Wow, gorgeous work! I’ve been wondering about the safety of posting my own works in progress. Thanks for the inspiration!
By BLAHM on November 26, 2014 at 12:11 pm
I love hearing about the craft of writing from an illustrator’s point of view. Three POVs are even better!
By Amanda Hopper on November 26, 2014 at 3:31 pm
As a writer I loved the insight into your processes. I think I could do something like this with photographic art. Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to get my daughter who is studying design to read this blog.
By pearlz on November 26, 2014 at 8:34 pm
What an awesome post! I loved it! Thank you girllustrators! 😀
By Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards) on November 26, 2014 at 9:09 pm
3 posts in one!! Thanks ladies.
By Dawn on November 26, 2014 at 10:18 pm
I love seeing the process and how it all unfolds. Many thanks!
By Megan Freeman on November 27, 2014 at 5:12 pm
I love that you ladies tweet together. What a great idea! Thanks for the layout guide. I had one, but this one is more helpful.
By Nancy Kotkin on November 28, 2014 at 4:42 am
LOVE this post!
By artistadonna on November 28, 2014 at 7:44 am
Enjoyed your post. Thank you for the thumbnails. I’m printing it now.
By KASteed on November 28, 2014 at 4:44 pm
^^what they said. Thanks for ALL this inspiration!
By LL on November 28, 2014 at 6:09 pm
Amazing talent. Thank you for posting about your processes and offering such amazing prizes. Congrats on all your success!
By Jamie Deenihan on November 29, 2014 at 12:16 am
Three inspiring posts! Thanks for sharing your insights!
By Jill Tadros (@PopTheWall) on November 29, 2014 at 10:48 am
I’ve noticed a lot more excellent picture books about or with pigs, though my friend Swinebert (a pot-bellied pig himself) points out there’s a BIG gender gap with more female pigs than male. I hope that balances out a bit over time. Nevertheless, he’ll be stoked to know about another cool pig book!
As am I.
By Taurean J. Watkins on November 29, 2014 at 10:49 am
There is nothing I love more than pictures of other illustrator’s work spaces and processes. I loved this post!
By natalie15 on November 29, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Great triple-post. Thanks.
By Donna B on November 29, 2014 at 7:11 pm
Loved seeing how illustrators develop their work.
By majanecka on November 30, 2014 at 1:31 am
Getting a peek behind-the-scenes is super helpful! I love all this art. Hooray for cool girllustrators!
By Marissa Walsh on November 30, 2014 at 3:25 pm
Loved learning about your process! Great work, all three of you!
By John Strong on November 30, 2014 at 4:53 pm
Thanks so much for a fab triple dog post!
By Andi on November 30, 2014 at 5:35 pm
The paintings, the studio photos, the walls, the bookcase, the sketches, and all three of you, your words, and your paintings again. I’ve shared in a gift. Thanks for the sharing, your wordcraft, and again, your paintings.
By Heather Hatch on November 30, 2014 at 6:51 pm
I’ve got to get that book now. great read!
By Jason Perkins on November 30, 2014 at 7:58 pm
Thanks for sharing the idea generating process from the illustrator’s POV.
By carolmunrojww on November 30, 2014 at 9:22 pm
I wish I could draw. I loved looking at all the sketches morphing into stories.
By Nini Engel on November 30, 2014 at 9:49 pm
I love the way illustrators show how they work and what their process looks like. It’s fascinating and inspirational at the same time.
By Colleen Kelley on November 30, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Dear Emma, Caitlin & Marsha, It is such joy to read about the artside of children’s picture books. Thanks for the peek inside your worlds & the smiles.
~ j a n annino
By bookseedstudio on November 30, 2014 at 11:37 pm
Love reading about the process from the illustrator side! Thank you!
By Caroline on December 1, 2014 at 12:42 am
wow! thanks so much for sharing how you work (:
Lovely stuff!
By lymartinez on December 1, 2014 at 1:04 am
Inspirations can come from anywhere, it’s all on where you let it lead you. Thanks for this!
By Kelly Parker on December 1, 2014 at 1:11 am
Thanks to you all ! It was great to see how you work.
By lisakwillard on December 1, 2014 at 1:27 am
Loved this post, writing a story from a doodle
By winemama on December 1, 2014 at 12:25 pm
The growth of the idea … I love it! Thanks so much for sharing your process with us. All the best in the year ahead.
By stephseclecticinterests on December 1, 2014 at 3:14 pm
I love hearing from illustrators!
By Emily Goldstein on December 2, 2014 at 2:21 pm
Very inspiring Marsha, Emma, and Caitlin! Thank you!
By Kelly Russell Jaques on December 5, 2014 at 6:13 pm
I love seeing the process for different illustrators and writers– Thanks guys!
By Nat Keller on December 24, 2014 at 6:54 am