Ongoing Picture Book Illustration

Now, I'll chat over picture book illustration and a paper size. As the positive feedback came back to my story board, I'm working on black and white on an A2 or a sheet paper ( Arches, smooth,356 gsm, 65cm x 102cm -- I'll cut it into a half!).
Some people might think picture book illustrators create images on A4 or on a reasonably easy smaller size papers. As far as I know, illustrators use bigger size papers than books. Quite "large," even though a real book size is smaller than original work. 

 

*Above is a doodle just for fun. It's nothing to do with the ongoing project. 

To avoid stress, I always enjoy varied style at once. 

Or I should say do something different from a main ongoing work.

Why do picture book illustrators make big work?
Because a reduced size image will come up beautifully = a big work comes up nice in a real printing size. So, we work on large papers. It's really "huge efforts." I bravely stand in front of a drawing board and challenge a big paper. Physically, mentally, it's a demanding work. Gulp?! Sounds like a battle? Furthermore, these big papers are expensive. It makes an artist a bit nervous. 

Well, hopefully, not the battle with papers, but I'll embrace papers and kiss them all. My dear friend says, "Papers are your dear friends, Sadami!" Great. What smart advice! That has relaxed my high tension to poshed papers. (*Her email is on the drawing board. Thank you, dear!) Other admiring illustrators encourage me so much such as Tohby Riddle, Elise Hurst, Anne Spudvilas, PJ Lynch and Ann James. What a lucky illustrator I am! 

Above all, joy must come first. My editor/publisher Helen Chamberlin is so caring and lovely. Helen says, "Have fun! Enjoy it!" "Do what you think right!" Brilliant cheers. That's the main thing in my illustration. Helen knows me very well. Otherwise, my hand gets stiff and brushes and lines will never dance on papers. What a blessing I can work with that Publisher/Editor!

In 2013, the goal is to accomplish 32 pages plus, a front cover and a back cover. (Friends, besides the mentioned above, illustration requires experiments and lots of other drawings.) Also, technically, I hope my most strength, "spontaneity" will come up in a picture book. If I really cannot make it on a big paper, I'll use a smaller and kinder size to me. Be flexible.

To be honest with you, the ongoing project and other projects occupy me more and more. A bit hard to find enough time for this blogging. If this blogging becomes irregular, please understand it. At weekend, I saw many friends and swam a very long distance in an ocean pool. It was a very good refreshing my heart and body between work. 
Friends, have fun! Thank you for wonderful friendship. 
Happy Painting!! 

Ongoing Picture Book Illustration