Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Ben and Ruby Character Sketches

Thank you for all the comments on the I'm Reading Now series! Working on a big series like this, the most important thing is to have the character sketches down pat when I start. I got a short character description of the whole family, and here is what I came up with. Here, the main characters Ben and Ruby:
Ben is suppose to be 5 years old and Ruby is 4. Here they look a bit too old. Try again!

Better here. But what's up with the Elvis hair on Ben? And I was told the dress on Ruby was a bit too old fashioned (Hey, I would wear that cherry dress at 4!)

Perfect!

Ok, actually there were many more rounds back and forth with the art director and editors before I got it just right. But its better to get it right in the beginning than later.

And last but not least, a BIG shout out to Alicia Padrón's kids for their fantastic critique of my tree entry for The Wish Trees giveway! It was a gift in itself listening to their reaction (I've never heard directly from my audience before) and it truly confirms I am in the right profession! It was so gratifying and made me all warm and fuzzy inside!!! So thank you, Gabriel and Alexandra. And kudos for everyone who entered, I had alot of fun looking at everything!

13 comments:

Lisa M Griffin said...

Love that you posted a series of sketches from your new books. The finish of the kids is totally adorable. Just a little FYI to the AD though... Gymboree did a line of clothes not very long ago with CHERRIES... not so old fashioned after all, rather cute I'd say! =)

zime said...

Hi Jan!! Thanks for sharing this work!!! Is really wonderful.
Ah, congratulations for win contest's Alice!!! You're the best!! Yeapp
(^v^)

Tracy said...

Yeah, Jannie! I posted a congratulatory comment on your June 30th post (the actual illo of your entry.) :) Also, I'm awarding you an award...(check out my blog to see it.) http://yellowkittynotebook.blogspot.com/

Tracy said...

Oh, btw...that cherry on her little dress looks PERFECT to me! Of course a four year old would wear that! :) But I understand, you have to make EVERYone happy, don't you? What do they know? You're the artist!

ellencrimitrent said...

these kids are soo cute, I was in the children's book section at Barnes and Nobel yesterday and I get soo overwhelmed that I have to leave.

One day I will be in your world you little master Miss. Jannie Ho!! He He!

mike r baker said...

I like old fashioned dresses! Thanks for sharing this process. :)

I gave you an award. You can just toss it the closet with your countless other awards. :)
http://mikerbaker.com/knack/?p=462

J. E. Morris said...

Jannie you are like SOOOO popular. I put you on my award list too. (I like the cherry dress alot)

Unknown said...

so charming!

Carli said...

congratulations on your books. they look great. and congrats on the wish trees giveaway. I love that cherry dress.

Unknown said...

Hi Jannie...what fun creating your characters...wonderful work and neat to see them come to life...

iSew said...

How fun to see the progression. And I agree, the cherry dress is so cute! What's wrong with little girls looking like little girls? Sheesh!

mike r baker said...

More art. And make some t-shirts. I need more Chickengirl!

Kay Aker said...

Love being given a glimpse into your process!