I Caught A Cold...

Chinese medicine is really bitter. I thank Brooke Boynton Hughes for mailed delicious chocolate to the rescue.

SCBWI Conference Journal

"Become a collector. Not just of things, but of experiences." ~Judy Schachner

SCBWI Conference Journal

"Put your characters through scenes, dialogues, situations.  Observe their responses." ~Megan McDonald & Mary Lee Donovan

SCBWI Conference Journal

"If you think all the ideas are inside you, think again. Ask someone else [for ideas]. Every once in a while, you'll hear something that feels right, and that's your talent: you know how to fish through all the noises."  ~Aaron Becker

SCBWI Conference Journal

"I love the ability to get the emotions with as few lines as possible."  ~Tomie dePaola

SCBWI Conference Journal

"Have someone else read out loud your manuscript, and pay attention to where they stumble."  ~Linda Sue Park

SCBWI Conference Journal

I am very honored to participate as a SCBWI conference blog illustrator journal contributor this year.  Thank you for having me, SCBWI blog!

http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/2014/08/maple-lam-conference-illustrator.html

Sketchbook Doodle

Sketchbook Doodle

Hello Cousin Boar!

Shape of Piggie's snout refined recently to differentiate him from a newly casted character: Cousin Boar.

Character Development

Sketchbook

Sketchbook Doodle

Draw Draw Draaaaaw!

Working hard in my sketchbook these days to figure out a developing story. :)

Sketchbook Doodle

Sometimes I get stuck on ideas, and my sketchbook will start reflecting my mood.  It's the best way to blow off some steam.  I am all zen and peaceful once more.

Sketchbook Doodle: Waaaaay Too Hot!

I feel like this when it's 102 degrees.  Dear Los Angeles, it is officially autumn.  Please dial down the heat.  Thank you.

Studying Light

Where is the light source? No idea?   Me neither.
This means I need to take a break.
I promise to do better the next round.

I spent the weekend studying how light works and how to best translate it onto my artwork.  This involves a lot of reading and understanding other people's work, palette and composition.

Coincidentally, good friend Jen Betton has a recent blogpost on color study:
http://jenbetton.blogspot.com/2013/08/color-part-1-primaries-and-elements.html

Check it out!

Practice Round 2

Why are my characters so grumpy? I guess I am stuck on a couple pieces, and my internal grumpiness is projected onto my work. Time to get a cup of tea to calm down.

Practice Round 1

Now that the conference is over, it's time to dive back into watercolor!  Need to do a few practice pieces to get the hand-muscles memory back.  Okay, Monday, here we go!

Experimental Artwork

Got stuck on a story and started doodling.  Trying to loosen up my mind by being very loose on color (loading the palette with lots of water.)

Muses, are you back yet?