Thursday, January 22, 2015

Superhero Style



  I was fortunate once again to work with Red Chair Press in 2014. The illustrations for this book were completed in November.  Red Chair Press puts a lot of heart into their books and each one carries a specific message to help kids navigate a confusing and sometimes hostile world.
  This guide to dealing with bullies provides some tools to transform even the most intimidated kids into voices of truth and justice. At least we can hope.
 Zack is a mild-mannered kid (just like you) who becomes a protective champion when he witnesses a kid being bullied.  His superpowers are simply what all kids can access themselves: words and the courage to speak them.  And oh yeah, he does get to fly around wearing a cape and rainboots and multiply himself for dramatic effect.
  This book gave me the chance to work with character development, staging and movement. It was especially fun getting into the poses.  Figuratively speaking, of course.
 Here are some scenes from the 23 page reader.

 





More zipping around ensues... and then...



 Here he goes again multiplying himself...



 A bit of behind the scenes process:


 I began all of the pages as traditional drawings:  graphite pencil and white pencil on toned paper. This established the underlying values. And it meant I could work on them out on the porch on nice days.


Plus, I like having the physical artwork. Who knows... maybe I can sell these. Anyone interested?



 I scanned the art and lightened the tone and tinted the greys to a warmer color. 



Here I began adding photoshop color and a sky layer for the cover. I was digging the moody dystopic look of this but ultimately the designer, Jeffrey Dinardo, and I agreed it needed to be brighter.



 I compared both versions. 
The first sky looked too much like evening. He wouldn't be avenging bullies at night !
 After all, he's a kid (just like you).

Like all good books there is a happy ending...














3 comments:

Mike Blake Studio said...

Two posts in a week, WOW! (reminds me I need to update mine. Sigh...)

Regarding your artwork...it is such a joy to look at (as usual). Wonderful characters, rendering of details, and use of colors.

I am always surprised by your work. For one thing your style and methods are so unique, yet you do them so well. For another, I love your combined use of traditional and digital. You seem to marry them together seamlessly. I wish money wasn't so tight, because I would love to own some of your sketches! :)

Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Debbie:
I am the author of this book and AM SO LUCKY you agreed to illustrate it. You are amazing and I love, love, love the art. Thank you!!!

wiley

Debbie Palen said...

Thanks for your appreciation, Mike and Wiley!
Wiley, what a treat to find you here! I'm tickled that you love the art and took the time to tell me. It was fun. Thanks for authoring a great book! I hope that it will be very popular. Maybe we will get the chance to work together again in the future.