Happy Friday, my friends! I did it! I did it! I completed my rough art for the next book that’s coming out in 2018. Normally, I create digital rough art using only Photoshop brushes like these and these, but I wanted to try a little something different.
For this next book’s rough art, I used only black watercolor and I enjoyed it so much! It’s a different kind of challenge to paint with a single color to create various shades. Surprisingly, it took less time to hand paint than it does to do everything digitally. How could this be? I’m still scratching my head. That’s a bit of a sneak peek of the next book up there. It’s a continuation of the Little Kunoichi series and the ninja world is going to keep expanding.
Chibi Samurai Wants a Pet will be out on August 8th, which feels just around the corner. I’ll be doing a mini PNW book tour, so Portlanders: if you have recommendations for awesome places to stay and eat, I’d love to hear ’em!
What’s nice is that with each book, I’m learning from previous mistakes and developing a system that minimizes stress, so I don’t feel quite as drained after each phase. Hooray!
Now I have a slight respite until final art is due mid-September, so I’m going to go full hog in preparing for my upcoming Japan trip. We fly out June 24th! Because we’re traveling with K’s school, there’s so much paperwork involved…better get to it.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Painting bonanza
and loving each progression
book-making is FUN
P.S. Furoku members! The next edition has been delivered!
Yay! As always I feel very happy for you Sanae. I know you will have a great time is Japan and what a great experience for K!! Hope it all goes off without a hitch. Happy Friday to you too and happy weekend 🙂
Thank you so much, Tracy! I haven’t visited Japan in over 20 years and this will be K’s first time, so we’re full of anticipation!
Congrats Sanae! It always feels satisfying to complete a large project successfully, and to feel good about the finished product (in your case, wonderful watercolors!). Exciting that the next Little Kunoichi will be released so soon . . . do you have the dates for your Portland tour? We actually are planning a family trip there in early August and would love to hear you read:)
Best of luck with your Japan preparations! How exciting for you and K – what a neat mother/daughter trip. Have a wonderful time!
It does feel good to complete this big step, though now I’m waiting for feedback, which is rarely 100% positive. That’s what feedback is for though, right? Hope all is well with you, Lucinda!