Wednesday, February 22, 2006

STORYTELLING 101


dino1.jpg
Originally uploaded by stymie924.
This is an illustration I am working on for a story project... Really, this is an opportunity for me to build some portfolio pieces while I indulge my imagination a little bit.

I am working on several stories intended for children at the moment--all of them lean a little toward the dark side. I guess this is because the stories that really spoke to me as a child were darker stories, stories with an edge. I love the dark stories and pictures of Maurice Sendak... Not to mention Roald Dahl.

This has been a challenge for me since I am not really a writer--I mean I have DONE some writing... Nothing like this. I am also really trying to adjust my illustration style a bit for some of these stories. I want to keep the painterly look while simplifying the figures and scenes. I am trying to do more with color while I am more intentional about my line-work. Like I said it's a challenge.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi james! just wanted to get my head out of my...nether regions and let you know i'm glad you're blogging again! i used to keep a blog on livejournal a long time ago, but i now i only read the blogs of others. :)

sorry to hear about your health challenges - that's gotta be scary. still, you're young & healthy & i'm sure everything's gonna be ok.

just wanted you to know i was thinking about you.

Anonymous said...

duh...
this is gerlinda, btw - posting as anonymous.

James Palmer said...

Hey G! Thanks for the thoughts. Yes, I am sure everything will be fine. I'm glad I am getting it checked out though.

Anonymous said...

LOVE THE NEW BLOG SITE COLORS ETC.
LOOKS GREAT! LOTS OF LUCK WITH
THE WRITING--WISH I COULD DO IT.I
SEEM TO BE THE ONLY ONE IN FAMILY WITH NO TALENT--I GUESS THAT'S WHY I MARRIED IT. KEEP US POSTED ON
YOUR TESTS AND KEEP THE ARTWORK
COMING--IT IS MOST IMPRESSIVE.