Lee Ballard - Daniel's Ride

I found this book at the library, and thought I'd share some images from it. It's interesting because his work online is verry much in the Kent Williams / Frank Frazetta / Ashley Wood realm, and he has apparently worked for lucas arts and the like. Interesting to see how that translates into a kids book about cars.

Kind of really nice color and painting. I think the digital lettering works sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't. Once again, I'm unsure what medium he paints in, if it's acrylic or oil or what have you... u_u

his OHP:

http://www.nillo.com/

Mary Beth Owens' A Carribou Alphabet

Mary Beth Owens is an author as well as an illustrator. In the library I found an interesting book of hers all about carribou.

She works traditionally, I'm assuming watercolor but I couldn't find out for sure. What I love about these is the delicate paint and patterning around the letters, and also the light narrative. She does a great job of illustrating an alphabet while still making things both legible, having a narrative, and engaging at the same time. Her paintings are very beautiful. She doesn't focus on alphabet drawings, but does more traditionally narrative work as well.

You can find more info about her books here: http://www.jacketflap.com/mary-beth-owens/106475

Stephan Zavrel

I looked in the library for interesting children's book illustrators, this is work by Stepan Zavrel.

Stepan (1932-1999) is a Czech illustrator who escaped from communist czechloslovakia to live in Italy. Later he established one of the biggest centers for children's book illustration in a village around 60 km from Venice, where they have a huge festival every year! (info here: http://www.freewebs.com/evaulian/aboutme.htm  & http://www.radio.cz/en/section/books/the-magical-world-of-childrens-book-illustrator-stepan-zavrel )

His work is very lyrical and fantastic watercolors. I think his use of color (especially in the book "They Followed the Stars" ) in narrative, and his shape and design, are really powerful. 

(this last is a picture of the town where the big Children's book Festival is held)

here's a review for his book Drogman, which includes more pictures of some of his other work!

http://mashadutoit.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/drogman-by-stepan-zavrel/

Tove Jansson and Composition

Tove Jansson is the illustrator & writer of the Moomin series. I find her work very compelling! I think her composition is really one of the most interesting aspects (although her characters are really great too!)

There are many interesting websites on her work, and also the Moomin books (published by Drawn and Quarterly) are all at the MICA Library, so check 'em out!

Elisa Arguile

Louise-Marie Cumont

Herve Tullet

The best children’s books are the ones that parents love to read to their kids, don’t you think? No matter what time of day or how many chores seem to be in the way, there are a few books that beg you to take a break and put an instant smile on your face. Those are exactly the kind of books that Hervé Tullet makes. Just watch:

Q: Where do you work best?

A: I’m always thinking and finding new ideas, so I can work everywhere; I just need a pen and a notebook.

Q: Your text is always so casual and friendly! How many languages do you speak?

A: I try to speak English, but I’m still learning. With my books, I can “talk” everywhere, from Korea to Italy and Russia. There have been times when I’ve spoken directly to children in other countries without any help from a translator. Amazing, I tell you!

Q: I’ve seen adults play along with Press Here with pure joy, and The Coloring Bookeasily draws in such a wide range of ages. How do you make your art so identifiable and fun to both young and old? It is such a trick!

A: Books need to be shared by everyone. All ages. There is not a specific world for just children, with lovely little stuff filling it, so the best book idea for me is the one where everyone can play together.

Serge Bloch (European artist2)

Serge Bloch has worked as an editorial illustrator for the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post, as well as New York Magazine and Time. He is the author and illustrator of Butterflies in My Stomach and Other School Hazards, Reach for the Stars, and You Are What You Eat, and he illustrated The Enemy, I Love Kissing You, and I Can't Wait, which was an ALA Batchelder Honor Book. He recently received a Gold Medal from the American Society of Illustrators. He lives in Paris and New York City.