Inking In and Other Updates

I’m left handed so I’m used to getting ink on my hand, but I don’t get much of that when I’m inking in a digital image.

What do I mean by inking in?

Inking to me means drawing over my messy pencil lines with, hopefully, smooth black lines. It’s kinda the difference between pencil drawings and comics. It’s important, but does take a lot longer then I usually expect.

So far, I like the way the images I’m working on are coming together.

 Photo Credit: RBolance via Compfight cc


Photo Credit: RBolance via Compfight cc

I’ve also been taking a blogging course called The Art of Blogging by a lady I’ve followed for a while, Alisa Burke. On a side note, her name is really said “Alyssa”, and here I’ve been saying it “A-lisa” for years and now it’s stuck. Oh well.

The course has been interesting, except for the deep questions about myself I’m supposed to ask. Like what do I want my blog’s purpose to be? I’ve never done very well with those sorts of things, or quizzes for that matter. I’m usually a little bit of everything.

The plus side of the course though is it’s got my mind working over time on ideas, including ways I can improve the pictures I take, because frankly — they could use a little help.

If you’re a blogger how did you decide what to consistently write about?

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The Grudge Keeper Book Review

It was one of those days, I felt grumpy at the world. As a generally easy going person I don’t like those days. The ones where everything someone says seems to be in THAT TONE, the one that sets my teeth on edge and I feel like I have to do what’s right even though my heart isn’t in it. Let me repeat, I do not like those days.

The fact that it’s hard sometimes doesn’t wipe away my responsibility to love others and be kind.

But:

  • What if every time you felt THAT way you could take THAT complaint to someone who would keep a record of it?
  • What if every time someone hurt you it went on file?
  • Would you feel better?

I don’t know about you, but knowing Jesus’ sacrifice has wiped my slate clean is one of the most comforting thoughts to me. Because I am by NO means perfect.

This idea is the whole premise of the book The Grudge Keeper.

I feel like I should say it in a deep announcer voice. “THE GRUDGE KEEPER, by Mara Rockliff and Eliza Wheeler.”

To me it’s the perfect visual for little kids (and big kids like me too).

People in Bonnyripple bring every offense, big or small, to the grudge keeper. A little old man who fills his house with all the complaints, and wrongs, done in the town. Got a problem? Bring it to the grudge keeper.

It’s amazing to watch the papers build up. And — I will not tell you what happens — but when everything comes to a head and people realize they need to forgive, well, there’s a very satisfactory ending. (Resist, ruining the book…)

I think it would be a perfect lead in to talking about grace and how God will wipe our slates clean and get rid of our record of wrongs when we follow him.

That’s why I’m recommending it for the perfect library find, and giving this book a rating of: Buy (do not pass go and do not collect $200 until you do).  Just kidding… I’m rating it as one that I will get one day for my bookshelves.

Is there a book you’ve used to teach a lesson to someone younger then you? I’d love to hear about it!

 

Hebrews 8:12 ESV “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

The Amazon link is an affiliate link.

 

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Brushes, Studios, and a New Book in Progress!

Tons of things have been happening between posts lately. Course it helps that there’s so much time between them.

Last month I went to a Bible Forum and got to see several friends and make some new ones. It was a great weekend, but I have to admit nothing much got done on the book writing/illustrating end.

But now I’ve actually been working this week on my next book!

lambchop

Image from DailySquee

Yup, I finally had an idea that the writing got to the final editing stage while I’ve been sketching some super cute the images for the book. It’s so nice to have everything I work on in one place. So far I have the sketches for 8 pages of the 34 page book.

Which I just realized is basically a quarter of the way there. Wow. Can I say again how pumped I am?

Plus getting my sketches working on paper I also bought some digital brushes from FRENDEN for the art suite Manga Studio 5 (which I finally decided on for a belated b-day present). I’m excited to start inking the images.

Oh, everything’s coming together.

I think these inking brushes will look so much better then what I’ve been producing so far, though my art keeps getting better.

This end of the screen is back to being busy and I’ll be writing more about what the next book will be so stay tuned.

Talk to you soon!

P.S. If you don’t want the hassle of remembering to check back be sure to sign up for my newsletter!

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DIY Sketchbook

I stepped into the waters of DIY yesterday. Usually it doesn’t work to well for me, but this time I was pleasantly surprised.

DIY Yellow SketchbookScience projects never seemed to turn out quite right, as well as the simple a-line skirt pattern I tried… I don’t know how many times. So I tend to be cautious when I try DIY projects.

But when I saw this tutorial by Sea Lemon I wanted to try it.

I recently filled my last sketchbook (yes, almost every page is chock-full, and it surprised me too). Since I needed a new one, but didn’t want to buy one right now, and I decided to use a floppy sketchbook to make me a small book-like one.

One that could hopefully fit my next picture book. I’ve been working on ideas, but writers block has been messing with me and so I hoped that having a small sketchbook that’s like it’s own picutre book could help me.

And – YAY! – this time my DIY worked. DIY Yellow Sketchbook

My version

  • 15 pages from an old sketchbook (like this one)
  • 1 colorful folder (like these, but mine came from Staples.   I cut it to size once I sewed the pieces together)
  • Embroidery floss (I used cobalt blue, and waxed it with beeswax)

For the directions check out the video, because it totally works. Plus, I think I found a favorite new channel.

My book has some rough edges, but I like it and can’t wait to cover the front and inside with sketches — and hopefully work out my next book in it.

Do you have a favorite kind of book to work (draw or write) in?

*Amazon links in this post are affiliate links, see my disclaimer for details.
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Harold Hark Goodreads Giveaway

Hey Everybody!

Found out that as a part of Goodreads I can host a giveaway of Harold Hark — how cool is that? So I’ve decided to giveaway two copies. Enter soon because it ends on November 30th, 2013. Consider it a Black Friday, Christmas-y, November-ish present for you (if you win of course, but I can make no promises).

Early Christmas Present

Photo Credit: JD Hancock via Compfight cc

You have to be a Goodreads member to enter, but otherwise it’s so easy and fun. Hopefully it will work well enough that I’ll do it again. Who knows?

The entry button will be in this post and on the side in a really cool way, so you can’t miss it. Have fun and let me know it you entered!

Excitedly,
Hannah

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Harold Hark by Hannah Kosek

Harold Hark

by Hannah Kosek

Giveaway ends November 30, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

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Picture Book Update

Well, next month my picture book is coming out and have I been learning a lot about self-publishing lately. I must say there’s more then I ever knew (or expected) to it. It’s been quite a learning experience, including having to redo my art a couple times.

Can anyone tell me why computers decide to randomly loose things?

Yeah, I know it might just be me, but i have to tell you that sometimes I think my computer’s hiding stuff on me.

Anyway. It’s all coming together amid writing, fixing,  and twiddling my thumbs while I wait for proofs somehow it’s all getting done.

peanuts-writing-is-hard-work

belongs to Charles Schultz

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