Doodle Day May (Day 8-15)

I have been posting these on the FB Group page, but have not posted them on here yet this week.

Day #8: Tree
Day #9: Critters
Day #10: One Continuous Line
Day #11: Give Me a Hand
Day #12: Mothers
Day #13: Through the Window
Day #14: Sun
Day #15: Heart

Doodle Day May (Day 7)

Love our kittens, but always a sucker for a sweet pup!

Day #7: Dog

Doodle Day May (Day 6)

Today was inspired by the fabulous Derby Hat from the weekend. I skimmed through a couple of pictures and then tried to design my own hat & dress for today's doodle. Since this is only a doodle I could not add a detailed background so I used a textured paper background to imply action without spending more than my usual 20 minutes on the doodle.

Day #6: Hat

Doodle Day May (Day 5)

Catching up a little on Doodles, still have a lot of work to complete this week but today's topic of "Flower" was perfect. I happened to be working on a project that called for adding more flowers. I could not put just any flowers in the photo because of the region, so I found these little beauties called the Arctic Lupin. They are just as beautiful open as they are in the form of a bud.

Day #5: Flower

Doodle Day May (Day 3 + 4)

Running a little behind today. Lots of deadlines lining up, and new rounds of revisions on a new project. We took a break from Gardening & working around the house to go explore Philadelphia today & stop by Greg Pizzoli's book launch party. His new book called The Watermelon Seed is fantastic! It hit's store shelves on May 14th.

So I sketched a couple of people in Rittenhouse Square Park. I could sit there for hours just people watching. The sketch for day 4 was inspired by the excitement in people's faces as they saw different Brides coming into the park for photographs.

Day #3: Circle
Day #4: Face

Doodle Day May (Day 1 + 2)

Going to attempt another monthly doodle challenge. Whipped up day 1 + 2 tonight. Alison Hertz started another great challenge and has posted a new word for each day to inspire. You can learn all about it and join along by visiting Alison's Blog.

Day #1: Zentangles of your name
Day #2: Monster

Catching up...

It has been a while. Have been busy working, consulting with the wonderful Holli Conger and working on some old and new pieces. Here is an old one that I finished working thanks to learning a great technique from Renée Kurilla. She posted a helpful video about how she took an illustration from her sketchbook and colored it in photoshop. Make sure you check out the long version too, if you have time. You can find both videos on her Group Blog. I learned a few new tricks!

#dailydoodlers/IF-Eye Glasses

© Kelli Thrasher-Brooks

This was an Illustration that I just did last night for @danidraws Daily Doodlers Challenge. The word was "Fairytale", but it also applies to today's word "Eye Glasses". I am in the process of adding colors today and fixing it up some but I still like the raw original lines.

(You can view more amazing artists work by searching hashtag #dailydoodlers on Twitter, Instagram & Tumblr.)

#dailydoodlers "Doodles" #2-6

I have been working on @danidraws #dailydoodlers sketch challenge this month. (I love challenges that really push you).

So far the words have been: Cat, Captain, Disney, Hand, Korra (who I was not aware of until this challenge), Last book your read, fairytale and today's word is Irish. I'll try to post a sketch from today later on.

Here are a couple of sketches that show how I interpreted those words. It has been a lot of fun seeing everyone's doodles. You can search Twitter, Instagram or Tumblr by by typing in the hashtag #dailydoodlers. It's not too late if you want to take on the challenge.

Oscar Inspired Doodles

Watched the Oscars last night and can't stop thinking about all of the beautiful fabrics and simple tones that made for an elegant evening.




- sent from iPhone

#NY13SCBWI Recap:

So many wonderful experiences, not sure where to start. There are so many agents and editors and publishers that people are trying to get in front of, but the heart of this conference is all of talented people that make it all possible. I took a train in on Thursday hoping to have some free time in the city. After getting settled it was time for Pre-Gaming in the bar, as David Diaz phrased it. There were not a lot of people, so he and I just chatted for a while and I had a Ceasar Salad.

"Lunch" © Kelli Thrasher-Brooks


Friday was the Illustrator Intensive. Shaun Tan, David Ezra Stein, The Hilts Brothers, Barbara McClintock, Mark Teague and my mentor from the Advanced Illustrator Workshop: Floyd Cooper were all there to share their stories. So much wonderful advice was shared. Too much for one blog post, but I left feeling inspired and doodled a few characters along the way. Who knows maybe they will branch off into stories down the road.

Friday evening was the Portfolio Showcase. Before we were able to pick up our portfolios at 9, a couple of friends and I hopped in a cab and headed up to the Society of Illustrators for the 55th Annual Awards. My other mentor from Highlights, Kelly Murphy was there and had a piece in the show. It was great to see her! We made it back to the hotel around 9, just in time to review other portfolios as well. I loved watching some people go by and flip through my portfolio, then pick up a postcard. Some read through my entire book dummy, giggled and then took a card. Others just grabbed a card, smiled, and moved on... I really enjoyed seeing other friend's work too. Such a talented group of people!

Saturday & Sunday was filled with wonderful speeches from Meg Rosoff, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton, Mo Willems, Shaun Tan again and a wonderful Panel who talked about the future of books, and what is the current trend. In the evening before the Gala we had a very casual portfolio showcase. I shared a table with Keith Frawley who was there with Rob McClurken. Both of them have talent beyond their years!

After the 2nd showcase there were cocktail parties and break out groups. I left the hotel with some friends around 8 to go to a private party not far away down on Park. It had just started snowing and walking down Park Avenue in the snow was absolutely amazing! Couldn't recreate that feeling again if I tried!

Sunday felt a little rushed because I was nervous about catching the train home and had to head directly to a Superbowl Party. It is now Thursday already, and I'm still processing everything. So much great advice and direction, and the most important thing to remember is that it is about the children... the messages that we are putting out there for them and the stories that are being created.

Well I think that's about it, I didn't get into all of the details of the conference (Not enough time in a day and that's why you have to pay to go... top secret good stuff! Just kidding, but it was VERY helpful!). There was so much going on, but every part of each day was wonderful. I highly recommend going to either the NY or LA conference as well as as many local conferences that you can join.

Please check out the links of a few very talented artists & friends: Lori Nichols
Debbie Ohi
Moira Birch Swiatkowski
Marcela Staudenmaier
Elizabeth Stanton Rose
Jessixa Bagley
Nancy Armo
Ruth Sanderson
Floyd Cooper
Kelly Murphy
Keith Frawley
Rob McClurken
Mike Curato
Fred Koehler
Kelly Light
Renee Kurilla
Jen Hill
David Diaz
The Brothers Hilts
Barbara McClintock
Caroline Hadilaksono.

There were so many more, but this should keep you busy for a while!

Looking forward to the NY Winter Conference next year again! Special thanks to Lin Oliver, Steve Mooser, Sara Rutenberg, Priscilla Burris, all of the local RA's from each regional division and especially Tomie dePaola for adding the "I" to SCBWI. We would not have experienced such an amazing weekend if it wasn't for all of you and everyone in between!

#NY13SCBWI in less than 12 hours!

Haven't blogged in a while. Have been so busy preparing my portfolio and working on a picture book dummy.

Now everything is complete, except the packing... and we're off to NY tomorrow! I will try to post any highlight throughout the weekend. Cheers to a wonderful experience with old friends and new. Hope anyone else attending has safe travels and please make sure to say hello if you are going to be there as well! -Kelli

Updated Twitter Page (@sageandgrace)

Added some new illustrations to my Twitter page today.
Thought it would brighten it up a little :)

<< CLICK HERE TO VIEW PAGE >>

Components of a Picture Book Dummy

I have been working on a picture book off and on for the past year for our daughter. It's a story I made up for bedtime (although I'm not a writer by any means), and she giggles every time I tell it. So over the past couple of years images have started to fill my mind with images to support the words.

For her 6th Birthday I am trying to get this picture book completed. Right before her Birthday is the SCBWI NY conference. I'm hoping to wrap up all of these storyboards, character concepts and words before then to include in the Illustrator Showcase. Here is a glimpse of a couple of the many components. It is further along than this photo, but it gives an idea of part of the process.

HohoDooDa #28

Still playing catch up on sketches... Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

HohodooDa #27

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HohoDooDa #26

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HohoDooDa #24

Skating at dusk...


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HohoDooDa #23

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HohoDooDa #22

Starting to get the hang of this app... Have been busy visiting family and friends for the Holidays. Hope to finish up more sketches later this week. Happy Holidays!
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