ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ IMPERFECT

©Ginger Nielson

Well, really, nobody's perfect.  But I am sure Nelson will find a way to create a more perfect order in this chaos.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ SAFARI

This illustration is larger. To see the entire view click on the image.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ CULTIVATE

Just as we cultivate our gardens, there are other important friendships to cultivate.

©Ginger Nielson 2011

One more from the dummy...

For the dummy I like to keep the sketches rather loose.  I may want to leave a lot of the line work in this one as well.  The thick and thin lines add so much movement to the piece.  This is one half of a double page so there is no text needed here.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ BENEATH

I need to recycle this week because I loved the subject and this illustration

 makes me wish I could do the same and it is so much fun to share.

Next to being able to fly I think I would love to be able to breathe beneath the waves.

©Ginger Nielson

Fall Post card mailing... coming soon

©Ginger Nielson 2010

I decided to create a post card for my fall mailing based on the acrylic painting I made for the NYC library exhibit. I'll try to post a finish in a few days. *:)  On the back of the card I will place the rules for
"how to ride a dragon ~ 101."

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ STAR GAZING

Once upon a time we lived near a hill that gave us a wonderful view of the night sky.  We had only to walk out the door and a few steps then up the hillside.  With our telescope we could spend hours searching the night sky for our favorite constellations.  The most brilliant stars would take our breath away. Even in the colder winter months we were drawn to that hillside.

IlLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ LINKED

©Ginger Nielson

One of the things I like about Illustration Friday is the neat challenge each week brings. And along with it a chance for me to think beyond whatever project on which I am working. This weekly subject brings a break in the concentration of an assignment. I think of it like a recess at grade school. This is a chance to see what will happen if I play with a new idea.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ MUDDY

A little late this week... but definitely very muddy *:)

©Ginger Nielson 2010

I have been working to finish a picture book for Stemmer House Publishers. And while I was in the midst of it my older wacom tablet began to behave badly. Why? Well after 5 years of heavy use the overlay became very scratched up from the pen nibs which were wearing down.

I had to choose between getting a CINTIQ much earlier than I could afford or trying out the Wacom Intuos 4. I chose the latter and I am delighted with the new large tablet. It is sleek, large enough for me to be happy with, and even has little lighted keystroke buttons. So if I press a button I actually Know what it will do. The new pen is a joy as well. It comes with a holder that has a secret compartment for the pen nibs...ten in all. My favorite is the black and white tipped one. With the new tablet and the pen it really feels like your brush or pen is gliding across real paper. MMmmmmm what a nice addition to a digital artist's supplies*:)

Another reason for my decision, my Macintosh screen is much larger than the cintiq, so I rationalize that I will be more at home with the tablet ... at least for now.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ FOCUSED

©Ginger Nielson 2010

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ SKINNY

©Ginger Nielson 2009

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ WELCOME

Of course the Welcome Mat is always out!

Behind every tree...

©Ginger Nielson 2009

Behind every tree lies a secret. Some are more interesting than others.

If you have a good enough imagination you will find those secrets. But will you be brave enough to continue the adventure? Will you be imaginative enough to see what others cannot?

Sometimes you just can't sleep

I spent so much time being awake thinking of this image, that it was the first thing I did in the studio today.
I am sure that happens to many of my illustrator friends. You just can't let it go and it nags at you until you
give the image some time. Here is the rough sketch and the image.

©Ginger Nielson 2009

READING IS COOL

Although this has a timely message, I am going to be doing a series of Fantasy illustrations. This is the first...more to come.

© Ginger Nielson 2009

WORN II ~ WHAT NOT TO WEAR

Think I finally have this one ..

©Ginger Nielson 2009

I did decide I wanted to paint the final sketch for this one...but will most likely keep the other illustrations in sketch or line form for the finished dummy. This may or may not be a "good" thing, but right now I have got the TIME to work on this. Illustrators out there will know what I mean for sure. *:)

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ CLIMBING

Oh No! She's after me again. If I can just make it to that Lily Pad, and CLIMB up, I can paddle away from her. Watch out Fish!
Here I come!

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ PRETEND

Did you ever PRETEND to be sound asleep once your parents tucked you into bed?

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ SUGARY-( the Pettifour-Pinafore )

Ameila and her grandma spent the whole morning creating sugary pettifours. They were having a lot of company for a special luncheon.

     " I wish I could eat just one or maybe two and then serve our guests, 

 because if we serve them all, they look so good that there won't be any left."
     "I know, and that's too sad isn't it." said grandma. 
      Ameilia thought for a while.
     "I know, we can share them! But, before we do I must have just one!"
     Amelia's grandma smiled and  let her choose the perfect one and then she said,
"I have an idea Amelia. Let's paint some designs on your pinafore. Then you will always have a SUGARY reminder of what we baked today."
    " A delicious idea!" exclaimed the child, and together Ameilia and her grandmother painted delightful designs on her pinafore.

  " What a nice way to remember this day!" grandma hugged Amelia and they carried the tray of sugary delights into the dining room to wiat for their guests.