Illustrator in Residence at Pinerolo

The sign beside the front door was a clue. Many magical owls would keep me company during my week's stay as Illustrator in Residence at Pinerolo.

And I would be sharing my bedroom with a bear and thousands of Australia's best picture books. How was I to sleep with so much reading to do?

In the evening I might watch some TV in the lounge, but who could concentrate when the walls were hung with original artworks by some of Australia's leading children's book illustrators? And what's more there were even more picture books to read in there, including the latest releases. I was kept very busy and up late at night.

And I could always pick up a book and find the original painting hanging on the wall in front of me. Here is Where Does Thursday Go? by Janeen Brian beside the artwork of Stephen Michael King. I was particularly impressed with how true to the original colour the print production was (photo does not show this.) Publisher Margaret Hamilton's fine eye for detail was evident.

Another nook in the lounge had books and artworks for sale. Pinerolo's owner Margaret Hamilton is the rep for Stephen Michael King's illustration sales.

Inspired by all that was around me I set to work with my pencil on character sketches and storyboarding for my picture book about a little girl and her grandmother. A common link binds them to one another and the grandmother to her past.

No internet, no distraction, no writing.

While above me hung the many awards of a successful career in publishing and championing children's books in Australia. Margaret Hamilton AM is a national treasure, a true lady and such a sweet soul. I feel so honoured and privileged to have had Margaret's mentorship during my week as Illustrator in Residence. You'll enjoy reading her interview on Kids Book Review here.

Margaret captured me hard at work. I found the late afternoon light the best. The longer daylight saving evenings were put to good use and my storyboard was very close to finished by the end of the week. Read the Pinerolo newsletter about my stay here

The colour and vibrancy of illustrator Julie Vivas' watercolours – one of my favourites.

I was very tempted to buy this grayscale watercolour by Stephen Michael King.

By reading through Stephen's notes it amazed me that he sometimes threw together a storyboard in  little more than a day!

Besides picture books, Pinerolo also has a wealth of reference books on children's books and illustration – perfect for anyone researching or studying.

With the clear eye and kind feedback of Margaret Hamilton, my picture book manuscript is ready to go, the storyboard is almost there and very close to being what I had imagined.

Thank you most sincerely to Margaret and Max Hamilton of Pinerolo Children's Book Cottage for your hospitality, support and care during my busy week in Blackheath. 

I loved spending time with you!

Pinerolo Children's Book Cottage

At the very end of a super busy month, which included a full weekend of launching my new release Snap Magic and two weeks visiting blogs for a promotional tour, I was tired and definitely in need of some 'me time' – time to reflect,  recharge, and revisit my picture book in progress. It was time for my visit to Pinerolo Children's Book Cottage.

Nestled on the edge of the historic township of Blackheath in the Blue Mts, Pinerolo was a sanctuary of creative bliss just waiting for me to explore its secrets. I was thrilled, overwhelmed with joy and very proud to have been chosen as one of the Illustrators in Residence this year.  

Pinerolo is owned and operated by Margaret Hamilton AM, a former award-winning publisher of children's books and now a picture book author herself – B is for Bedtime. I was excited to have the opportunity of being mentored by Margaret during my week's stay in the cottage. There's a lovely interview with Margaret Hamilton on the Reading Time blog of the CBCA here

My first afternoon in the cottage was spent settling in after seven hours travelling. Then I went for a walk around the extensive grounds, enjoying the mature trees and large flowering shrubs of azaleas and rhododendrons. Blackheath was holding its annual Rhododendron Festival that coming weekend – another reason I was pleased to have chosen springtime for my week's stay.

Beside the cottage a large Italian farmhouse transported me to a holiday in Tuscany and treasured memories of our time spent there with my young family.

But from the corners of my imagination Banksia men intruded, reminding me that I was in fact in Australia.

After a very comfortable sleep I had my breakfast on the little back veranda of the cottage.

And enjoyed the view.

While more children's stories and a reference to my first book Pond Magic entered my thoughts.

At the bottom of the garden a large pine (Pinerolo means Place of Pines) held counsel with a circle of magical pine stools. The perfect place for storytelling and listening.

Or perhaps just reading...

Tottie and Dot Blog Blast

          This is Tottie...                                      and this is Dot.

They have their own book where they live... side by side.                                                                                                    

Tottie and Dot are the creation of author/illustrator team, Tania McCartney and Tina Snerling. And today we are part of the Blog Blast celebrations across the web as we join Tania and Tina in launching this adorable picture book into the world. Grab a spot on the picnic rug.

Marshmallow tea, anyone?

Look who we have here! We're so lucky today to have snaffled a few moments with illustrator, Tina Snerling.

Hi Tina! Did you have far to come today to sit Under the Apple Tree with us?

Not at all. I recently moved to a beautiful acreage just outside Brisbane, complete with chickens and a vegetable patch, which has been my dream!                           

Sounds wonderful! I loved your illustrations in An Aussie Year. When did you first start drawing?

I have been drawing as far back as my memories go. When I was little, I was obsessed with paper. Back when computer paper used to have the perforated edges and holes down the side! My Mum used to get the used paper from her work and I thought it was like Christmas come at once.

Ah, you're younger than me! The earliest drawing I still have is on butcher's paper. What's the earliest drawing you can remember doing?

I won a 'young artist' award in grade 1! It was an illustration of a spring garden with bunnies I believe!!!

How adorable. I guess it was in crayon. What’s your favourite medium now?

Digital Illustration. I also enjoy pastel, but don't get to do it enough!

Are there any illustration techniques or styles you would still like to try?

I have been drawn more towards watercolour lately - I would love to work more in this medium in the future. I am also experimenting with papier mache, photography and digital illustration combined in the one image - it's very time consuming but so exciting to see it all come together!

I'm guessing you've been inspired by other illustrators. Who are your favourites?

M. Sasek, Oliver Jeffers, Sanjay Patel and Charley Harper.

It's always interesting to hear about illustrators' backgrounds. What training did you undertake to become an illustrator?

I originally undertook studies in fashion and textile design, where I got to experiment a great deal with still life drawings. Being challenged to draw models and poses in minutes before the next pose taught me to really understand posture, positioning, and the human form. I found this translated extremely well when trying to capture characters in children's book. After my studies, I became a children's clothing and textile designer; this is where I really have fun and hone my skills on digital illustration. I have also undertaken studies in graphic design and multimedia, where I learnt invaluable skills when it came to creating book layout and design.

That certainly would've given you a good foundation for a future in children's book illustration. What’s next for you?

As well as illustrating my third book with Tania McCartney, let me just say that we will be working together for some time to come! Stay tuned!

We're looking forward to more from you both! Where can we see more of your work?

My website is currently under major construction (typical of a designer to leave their work until last) but you can see my work at the following;

http://www.tinasnerling.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.scbwi.org/members-public/tina-snerling

And lastly, where would you go right now if time and money were no object?

France - it is always France! A French château with a beautiful outlook for inspiration, complete with a little French bakery down the road.

Sigh, me too!

To visit other blogs on today's 'Tottie and Dot' Blog Blast see the schedule here.

A New Friend for Marmalade Blog Tour

Illustrator Heath McKenzie is visiting! 

We're celebrating the release of A New Friend for Marmalade, the sequel to the hugely successful ‘A Year with Marmalade’ by author Alison Reynolds. Heath and Alison's new picture book together revisits best friends Ella and Maddy and sweet little Marmalade, their ginger tabby. I'm really looking forward to hearing all about it.

Also before we start, there are some terrific prizes to win on this blog tour. Details at the bottom of this post.

Hi Heath.
You’re now a regular here ‘Under the Apple Tree’ so I thought I’d give you your own virtual coffee mug for when you visit. Grab a spot on the rug and let’s enjoy the warm rays of autumn sun. At least it’s sunny here today on the Gold Coast.

Congratulations once again on another terrific collaboration with the fabulous author Alison Reynolds. 

The Five Mile Press

How much harder or easier was it working on a book where you already knew the characters, style and book design? Did you make the decisions of where the page turns would be? And where the beautiful typography would be placed? I remember last time you had to work within the words.

Hi Angela.
Each book tends to present it's own challenges so while on the one hand, having now designed all but one of the characters, things like that were no longer an issue - however, returning to an established illustration style can be tricky as I need to get back into that mindset and way of working...and sometimes I may've found ways to improve on a technique I'd used in the past but have to revert to an older way to be in line with the series - as was the case with Marmalade! Plus, given this story largely happens in the one location, finding consistent ways to maintain the line art/sparse colour style without getting too repetitive is a challenge.

Concept sketch for the front cover

I'd never thought of that. Of course ‘A New Friend for Marmalade’ introduces the new character Toby to the tightly bound friendship group. Toby’s enthusiasm to be part of the fun is adorable, even if he does inadvertently cause the story conflict. Did the decision to begin the story immediately within the sandpit evolve after reading the text or after first roughing out a storyboard? 

I guess stories I'm given to illustrate always evolve after reading the text as that is where it all begins - and ideas tend to (hopefully!) start flowing as I read. So this definitely began evolving whilst reading the story...particularly with an awareness of the established world and being conscious of figuring out how best to work within that.

When Toby asks to join the cubby house play on the second page spread I notice two things: he is scooting in the opposite direction to natural page flow; and his associated colours are red (cape) and blue (scooter). Were these conscious  colour choices? As a visual reader this tells me something is about to happen to the girls’ pink cubby set-up. And it does!

Good question! I think he really only became red and blue to provide a nice colour balance against the sandpit and tree...the blanket, from memory came in a little later. The red and blue was not a conscious decision...and as for the pink blanket - I'm always hesitant to apply pink to girl situations however, there are logical times and places!

Yes, and it's complementary to the green tree foliage too.

Rough sketch and layering of artwork combined

As for going against natural page flow - I guess I figured it still flowed in the correct direction given we start on the girls before moving across to see Toby enter. I'm often working oblivious to various general rules of layout! Then on occasion, an editor will make me switch things about!

“Ella shrugged and Maddy sighed… Marmalade peeped out in surprise.”

Final artwork

The text is beautifully spare, allowing room for what I call ‘Illustrator Licence’ – space to imagine. Your illustrated juxtapositioning of gentle girl activities (building a pink cubby, decorating the sandcastle city with flowers) versus boisterous boy antics (scooting and cartwheeling through the middle of it all) reminds me of my childhood growing up on the orchard surrounded by an older brother and too many boy cousins. I could really feel the girls’ frustrations!

What made you decide Toby’s efforts to play would interfere with the girls right from the start? Did you base Toby on anyone you know?

From memory, this was all borne out of discussion with the editor and possibly thoughts from Alison as well. Plus, given as the story unfolds, Toby ultimately proves to be a valuable member of the group, to have him seem anything but earlier on helps add a little extra punch to the conclusion. 

In all honesty, Toby's actually based on the girls, oddly enough!! I always try to maintain everyone's look within a particular world so that they all look like they belong together so to speak, not necessarily in a hereditary family sense but just in keeping with the look of the 'world' as it were. So I designed Toby largely from cues picked up in the original designs of the girls! There are many times where characters have been based on actual people but not this time!

Alternative concept sketch for cover

For me, the characters’ expressions throughout the story are priceless! The sprinklers page is my favourite (my brother would’ve done that sort of thing on purpose) and Ella’s face when Toby turns on the tap cracked me up. This strength of expression through the characters’ eyes, mouths and hands heightens the drama and emotions of the story. Heath, (personal question, I know) do you use a mirror to capture these facial responses? What is your secret for nailing each emotion time and again?

There was a time when I had a mirror on hand! However, it's actually been quite a long time since I've used one! I do find I'm often aware that I'm inadvertently making a particular face while I'm drawing it sometimes - which would be entertaining for anyone wandering in at the time!

Alternative concept sketch for cover

Ha ha, I'd love to see that!
I belong to a group of illustrators who meet once a month in Brisbane - Brisbane Illustrators Group. Many of them will be reading this post. Do you have any advice for them? What are your favourite mediums/tools of the trade? Which Wacom do you recommend?

Really, the simplest advice is often best - just keep at it! I've never perfected illustrating and I doubt I ever will. It's really the journey that counts as I try new styles and little techniques; some stay, some go, but it's a constant evolution!

My favourite medium is freehand digital drawing - Corel Painter and a touch of Photoshop works for me! I do enjoy the feel of traditional real tools, but within the computer there's still plenty of skill and experimentation going on with every drawing. 

As for a choice of Wacom tablet - I use an Intuous model, but I don't think they've made a bad one yet so whichever suits is the way to go!

Thanks so much, Heath, for popping by again and answering more of my tricky questions. I've loved seeing your process of creation from roughs to finished artwork. I always learn something new from your visit. Below you've been kind enough to also share the United States version of the book cover. It is so very different. I guess they wanted to keep Toby's face hidden.

It was great to be here, Angela.

United States Cover Version

A New Friend for Marmalade Blog Tour Schedule

March

11th Dee White – review and post http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com/

11th Chris Bell – post http://christinemareebell.wordpress.com/

12th Angela Sunde – interview with Heath http://angelasunde.blogspot.com.au/

12th KBR – book giveaway http://www.kids-bookreview.com/

13th Boomerang Books – Post with Dimity Powell http://blog.boomerangbooks.com.au/author/dpowell

14th KBR Guest post http://www.kids-bookreview.com/

14th KBR Review http://www.kids-bookreview.com/

14th Sally Murphy – Meet my book http://aussiereviews.com/reviews/blog/

15th Buzz Words – Interview http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/

17th Ask the Bean Counter – Mr X http://www.alisonreynolds.com.au/

17th Pass-it-on Post and Review- Jackie Hosking

http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine/

18th Ask the Publisher – Kay Scarlett http://www.alisonreynolds.com.au/

COMPETITIONS!!!!!!

Pet Contest for all Ages!

Marmalade the cat is full of personality. Do you have a pet with personality? Win a piece of artwork by Heath McKenzie. Send along a photo of your personality-plus pet to www.alisonreynolds.com.au or upload to https://www.facebook.com/alison.reynolds.524

Random book giveaways!

Just leave a comment on one of the posts in the blog tour, comment on Facebook or even email Alison Reynolds that you want to enter the competition to win A New Friend for Marmalade.

Prizes for writers!

Win a 'jump the slush pile' pass with a children’s editor or an adult non-fiction editor. Just put CB if you want to enter in the children’s editor competition or NF if you want to be in the adult non-fiction competition. You can enter by commenting on this post or any other post on the tour.

Or you can win a picture book assessment from author Alison Reynolds, or the first chapter of a chapter book assessment with mentor/author Dee White. Just put PB after your comment, if you want to be in the picture book assessment competition and DW if you want to be in the chapter book assessment comp. 

If you want to enter all the comps, you can always put them all down like this: CB, NF, PB, DW.

Remember the more you comment the more chances you have to win!

Bailey Beats the Blah Blog Tour

A must have for every classroom library, Bailey Beats the Blah is an empowering mental health picture book for children 4-8 years, spring-boarding emotional awareness and action plans to help lift a child’s mood.
  

Aligned with the Kids Matter program on the National Education Curriculum and supported by counselling service, Kids Helpline, Bailey Beats the Blah features self-esteem and resilience skills for children, families, teachers, parents and counsellors.

What's more, 5% of book proceeds will be donated to Kids Helpline - 24/7 support and counselling for young people - now that's a win/win!

WIN a copy! - details below.

ISBN: 9780987274045 - Digital Future Press

Bailey Beats the Blah is available from Amazon.

by author Karen Tyrrell - illustrated by Aaron Pocock

Bailey hates his new school. His tummy aches. He has no friends.

His dog Fuzzy slobbers all over him. BLAH!

How can Bailey change his BLAH to HA-HA-HA?

This is the final stop in the Bailey Beats the Blah blog tour and after a whirlwind schedule, author Karen Tyrrell has popped in to Under the Apple Tree to answer four quick questions on the process she undertook for commissioning talented illustrator, Aaron Pocock, for her first children's picture book, Bailey Beats the Blah. 

Hi Karen and welcome, 
As this was your first experience working with an illustrator, how did you and Aaron first initiate the illustrative process for Bailey Beats the Blah?

Hi Angela, I sent Aaron the manuscript for Bailey Beats the Blah with detailed suggestions for his drawings, plus the characters' emotions and details that weren’t in the text.

This must have been an interesting and exciting creative process for you as a writer. Can you describe the development of each picture?

Aaron created a sketch for each page. I later checked these, making suggestions of what extra details I wanted added, concentrating on the emotional and body language.  Aaron added these more details until I was satisfied with the black inks. Then Aaron added vibrant colours. Aaron sent these back for final tweaking and approval.

I love the samples you've shared with us below. Aaron's characters are full of emotion and movement. I can just imagine the dog Fuzzy's confusion and Bailey's annoyance at all his slobber. Wonderful!

At what stage did you know the pictures were ready for publishing? It must be difficult to determine this.

When the illustrations could not be improved any more, Aaron added his own unique personality and humour to the illustrations: the mouse marching with a school bag on his back; a crow clutching onto the bus stop sign.

Yes, great illustrators like Aaron are so adept at adding a sub-plot through these little additions. It all adds more for the readers to enjoy.

Finally, Karen, how did you and Anthony Puttee, the cover designer, develop the cover for Bailey Beats the Blah?

I requested Aaron illustrate a specific cover picture of a miserable Bailey with doting, loveable Fuzzy the dog. Anthony of Book Cover Café transformed this pic into a cover design, adding eye-catching colourful fonts, a purple background and ground shadows.

Anthony finally added the words BLAH in a unique red font.

Fabulous! The cover is definitely eye-catching. Thanks for stopping in, Karen, and congratulations on the release of Bailey Beats the Blah.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

WIN:  Copies of BaileyBeats the Blah, a signed Bailey artwork by illustrator Aaron Pocock and a picture book assessment with chief editor at Book Cover Café.

Simply leave a comment on any of the 16 hops on the Bailey Beats the Blah tour  (see below) Nov 3^rd -18^th. The more comments you leave the MORE chances to WIN.

WINNERS announced on Nov 20^th at www. karentyrrell.com

Karen Tyrrell is a Brisbane award-winning author of three mental health books for adults and children, an experienced senior teacher, accredited speaker and dynamic creative writing and Resilience Training workshop presenter.

Download FREE children's activities and FREE teacher notes from www.karentyrrell.com

Bailey Blog Tour & Book Giveaway

3^rd   Nov http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/authors/pitch-ya-book/pitch-ya-book.html

4^th   Nov http://blog.boomerangbooks.com.au/author/dpowell

5^th   Nov http://diannedibates.blogspot.com.au

6^th   Nov http://www.kids-bookreview.com/  

7^th   Nov  http://www.robinadolphs.com/blog/

8^th   Nov  http://charmaineclancy.com

9^th   Nov  www.melissawray.blogspot.com.au

10^th Nov http://claireeverafter.com/

11^th Nov http://squigglemum.com

12^th Nov http://www.nickyjohnston.com.au/blog/

13^th Nov http://nccparentsplace.wordpress.com/

14^th Nov http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com/

15^th Nov http://natashatracy.com/topic/bipolar-blog/

16^th Nov http://buginabook.org/category/childrens-books/

17^th Nov http://www.writeawaywithme.com/blog/

18^th Nov http://angelasunde.blogspot.com