Out of the Paintbox

Thanks Joan! It was a fun assignment--I really enj...

2012-02-03T14:14:07.793-08:00

Thanks Joan! It was a fun assignment--I really enjoyed working on it, although the spider research was a bit icky. The particular one in the story is big, ugly and it jumps!

Thanks Joan! It was a fun assignment--I enjoyed working on it, though the spider research was a bit icky! The spider I illustrated was big, ugly and it jumps! (but no one was hurt in the story!)

Beautiful work, Diane. Congratulations!

2012-02-03T12:27:50.074-08:00

Beautiful work, Diane. Congratulations!

Hi Mary Ann, I always enjoy hearing Steven's w...

2011-09-02T12:59:59.701-07:00

Hi Mary Ann,
I always enjoy hearing Steven's words of wisdom!Thanks for the comment!

Thanks Kathleen! And Yes Mary Ann! Hurray for inex...

2011-09-02T12:53:25.955-07:00

Thanks Kathleen! And Yes Mary Ann! Hurray for inexpensive brushes (and art store sales)--it did make me feel better about using them when more than one of these amazing artists mentioned using them too...

Hi Dolores, There wasn't as much discussion ab...

2011-09-02T12:36:35.059-07:00

Hi Dolores,
There wasn't as much discussion about drawing as painting (except for his definite fondness for 2B pencils! But oh what he can achieve with a pencil!

I'm so glad to hear other artists feel the sam...

2011-09-02T06:39:44.558-07:00

I'm so glad to hear other artists feel the same way about inexpensive brushes. I, too, have been wanting to try underpainting in water-based medium. I'm going to have to give it a try.

These are all really good points.Thanks for sharin...

2011-09-02T06:37:29.060-07:00

These are all really good points.Thanks for sharing.

Great post!

2011-09-01T20:47:11.662-07:00

Great post!

Did Jerry Pinkney mention why he uses so much grap...

2011-09-01T13:53:40.816-07:00

Did Jerry Pinkney mention why he uses so much graphite in his paintings, one of his trademarks? The business about Paul Zelinsky's "medieval technique" sounds fascinating. Thanks, Diane, for bringing a little bit of the conference to us.

Yes, I always come away re-charged. I learn somet...

2011-08-22T23:15:56.427-07:00

Yes, I always come away re-charged. I learn something new every year.....

Thanks for sharing your conference experience, Dia...

2011-08-13T10:07:22.054-07:00

Thanks for sharing your conference experience, Diane. One of the best things about these gatherings is the wonderful collection of inspired (and inspiring) quotes.

Thanks Joan! I haven't read "The Penderwi...

2011-07-29T00:50:17.531-07:00

Thanks Joan! I haven't read "The Penderwicks" yet but I will look for it now!

Thank you so much for this wonderful post, Diane. ...

2011-07-28T12:42:52.078-07:00

Thank you so much for this wonderful post, Diane. I'm always intrigued by these glimpses of your life growing up and am itching to learn more. I hope you and Barbara write the Browning version of "The Penderwicks" once you've finished your mystery novel.

Thanks Dolores, The Faire is a great place for ar...

2011-07-01T10:41:17.515-07:00

Thanks Dolores,
The Faire is a great place for artists and writers to find inspiration--as well as a wonderful place to just relax and have fun!

I used to love to go to the Renaissance Faire, too...

2011-06-15T15:13:33.389-07:00

I used to love to go to the Renaissance Faire, too, Diane. Not only was it a chance to immerse myself in what seemed like another century, time and place, but I just loved looking at the costumes as well. People, both on staff and visitors, who took the time to dress up also seemed more than willing to be photographed. And I loved to shoot pictures (which I also used occasionally as reference for illustrations). I didn't know you and your sister worked there. I will look at my old photos and see if I find you two in my pictures.

What a wonderful photo. I love her style. I agre...

2011-06-15T08:52:06.371-07:00

What a wonderful photo. I love her style.

I agree, ideas come from everywhere -- they're all around us. We just have to tune in.

Just stumbled across this post . . . I attended th...

2011-05-25T10:31:12.568-07:00

Just stumbled across this post . . . I attended this, too, and wow, your portraits are amazing!! Thanks for sharing and for the recap, Diane!

Cheers, :)
Rita

Wonderful post. Such an interesting insight into C...

2011-05-22T12:24:43.752-07:00

Wonderful post. Such an interesting insight into Charlotte Bronte's writing -- that she was able to infuse her writing with the eye of an artist. I'd never seen any of her art before. It seems she captured something of her sister Anne's character in this portrait.

I was sorry to miss the event too. What a great id...

2011-04-22T09:56:30.850-07:00

I was sorry to miss the event too. What a great idea to use this accessible technology for personal projects, like diaries. Thanks so much for the great information, Diane.

The EBM could use from flashing red lights for sex...

2011-04-21T19:23:59.333-07:00

The EBM could use from flashing red lights for sex appeal.
Sincerely,
Dull Appeal

Diane, I'm so glad you're spreading the wo...

2011-04-21T16:11:16.661-07:00

Diane, I'm so glad you're spreading the word. I fell in love with the technology when I saw Paige Gutenberg--the Espresso Book Machine at the Harvard bookstore--a year ago. For anyone who's ever tried to find out of print books, this machine is a terrific resource. And, as you said, even for authors who prefer to publish in the traditional manner, there are times when you might want to create a book for a smaller, more personal audience and you don't have to pay a fortune to do it. Book lovers should all come see this machine in operation.

I wanted to to this but couldn't make it. Than...

2011-04-21T15:11:37.253-07:00

I wanted to to this but couldn't make it. Thanks for the overview, Diane!

I really enjoyed interviewing Frank. What a multi...

2011-04-05T21:04:26.534-07:00

I really enjoyed interviewing Frank. What a multi-talented person!

I love that he carried his sketch book with him ev...

2011-04-02T15:55:01.840-07:00

I love that he carried his sketch book with him everywhere. I have a son who does that, and I can't wait to show him this interview. The illustrations for Quacky Baseball are fantastic. Thank you both for this interview.

What a fascinating background. You're right, F...

2011-03-31T12:47:21.652-07:00

What a fascinating background. You're right, Frank really is a Renaissance man. Thanks Diane and Frank, for such an interesting interview.