Haneen...taking shape.

In a previous post I mentioned Haneen,

a character I'm developing for a new book.

This is the look so far:

I'm really enjoying the process - this picture was entirely digital;

I did not begin with a paper sketch since it was a pretty simple image.

But the 'painting' part was so much fun!

Other pictures will likely have to be sketched on paper first.

If the author does not like it I still have a cute pic for my portfolio.

Crystal Forest

These pics don't capture it at all, but it was magical today.

All the trees were draped in crystals, 

and the sun came out for a bit set them all ablaze.

I only had my iPod, and it died in about a minute,

plus I was in a parking lot, not out in the woods

(which I could see at a distance and they were GLORIOUS)

but it was still very pretty!

The first one is a puddle :)

More flowers, and a new character

More flowers!!!

I'm liking the grungy brush effects I got.

This is the great thing about using programs 
like PhotoShop and Illustrator.

Although I have only the ancient versions (CS3)
there's still so much to discover and play with!

On the work front, I'm developing

a character for a new book.

Meet Haneen!

The book is by Ghada Alo.  

Some months ago I illustrated a story for her,

called I Love My Dad.

Now we're doing

I Love My Teacher!

Haneen is about 9, and she is the one taking

us through her day with her teacher.

We're still working on the look -
 this is just the 'first draft'.

No Ordinary Day

The outside is draped in snow - everything is white.

This drawing gave me something colorful to do :)

And another version:

City cousin, country cousin, and what happens when they visit each other

Discover issue 15

I visited the UK several years ago,

and although I saw London`s landmark buildings

I have no pictures of them. Not one.

So it was cool to draw them.

I think this is the first time I drew 

so much architecture for an illustration.

For the NanoBot

Midnight snow

Midnight snow.

We're not there yet,

but it's comingggg!!!

Also, I'm excited about being featured in Azizah again!

This time they will be publishing my painting,

Blue Drops:

as well as an illustration I made for them:

Can't wait to see it in print!

Discover magazine

Sacrifice story,

Eid al Adha

M&M's latest escapade

Asma Zaman, a lovely author from the U.K., 

wrote a book last year about

twin brothers Muhammed and Musa.

I illustrated it for her.

Now I'm working with her on the second book

featuring the twins, and I'm using a very different technique.

It's taking much longer, but I really like the look,

and I think the books will still flow together seamlessly.

A sneak into the colored pics:

I still need to fix the colors a bit

so that they're all the same,

but you get the idea.

More coming soon!

Discover Issue 12

Issue 12 is all about food.

One story was about food allergies.

I used Illustrator for this one.

Another was about how we sometimes want

more than we can handle, especially dessert.

I did this with PhotoShop.

Discover can be ordered here.

Do check it out!

Wrapped around a finger...

I've been working on a new book with author Asma Zaman,

with whom I collaborated on an earlier book featuring 

twin brothers Muhammed and Musa.

This new book is also about them.

And how they get into trouble.

The illustrations are a long way from being done,

but these are a few initial sketches I made:

I'm hoping I can do more soon!

Meanwhile, here's a ring a while ago,

using a bezel base this time.

I'm working on a technique that will allow me to

create the textured look I like, while minimizing frayed edges.

Hence the bezel - it keeps the textile work contained in the frame.

The bezel is from Michael's, but I'm hoping

to find something a little more ornate.

Still, it was great to work on something different.

This particular piece already belongs to a new owner.

More coming soon!

Funky fabric jewelry - Samara

I really enjoy working with fabric and textiles :)

And beads.

And whatever else I can find.

 Here I've used a bracelet remnant

and an old drop pendant stone.

They're both about 20 years old.

I've yet to give this piece a chain to 

complete it as a necklace.

Or it could be used as a brooch.