I just finished the last illustration for Charline & Lauren’s picturebook, “Tartan Meets the Queen.” Yippee! This one was a lot of fun drawing… I liked putting the squirrel in different places… sliding down the banister, sitting on the throne, peaking out from behind the chandellier. After drawing the illustrations in pencil (below), it was satisfying colouring in all of the “bling” with a few tinting layers of colour in Photoshop (above.)

So now we’re just going through doing some final edits to the book layout, then it will be off to the printers! (Read on …)

One down, one to go! Here’s the latest illustration for Charline & Lauren’s storybook, “Tartan Meets the Queen.” The illustrations for this book are all done in regular old pencil (below), then I give them a tint of colour in Photoshop (above.)

This is the first children’s book I’ve had a chance to illustrate since I joined In The Picture, a project aimed to encourage illustrators, authors & publishers to include disabled children in their books for young readers. I’ve incorporated one little girl in a funky wheelchair in this illustration as my first contribution to In The Picture. (Read on …)

With only 3 illustrations left, the finish line is in sight for Charline & Lauren’s story, “Tartan Meets the Queen!” Here’s one of the most recent illustrations completed, I’m hoping to have the rest done in the next few weeks (depending on how long my baby Hera naps each day to let me draw!)
To see other posts on “Tartan Meets the Queen,” check out :

• • Tartan Meets the Queen | Teaparty
• • Tartan Meets the Queen | A few finished illustrations
• • Tartan Meets the Queen | Sketches
• • Tartan Meets the Queen | Concept Boards

“Tartan Meets the Queen” © Charline Crous & Lauren Everton, Illustrations © Heather Castles

Just finished anorher illustration for Charline & Lauren’s story, “Tartan Meets the Queen.”

To see other posts on “Tartan Meets the Queen,” check out :

• • Tartan Meets the Queen | A few finished illustrations
• • Tartan Meets the Queen | Sketches
• • Tartan Meets the Queen | Concept Boards

“Tartan Meets the Queen” © Charline Crous & Lauren Everton, Illustrations © Heather Castles

I’m pretty stoked as my most recent children’s book, “The Lottle Boy’s Smile” by Tom Krause, has gone to print at Trafford! I’m not too embarrassed to say I’m proud of this book and am happy with how the illustrations turned out! I was given quite a bit of creative freedom in the project, thanks to the generous author, and I think my enjoyment in the project reflects throughout. Will post once it’s printed & available online.

To see other posts about “The Little Boy’s Smile,” check out :

• • The Little Boy’s Smile | All Done!
• • The Little Boy’s Smile | One last sneak peak…
• • The Little Boy’s Smile | Another Sneak Peak
• • The Little Boy’s Smile | Step-by-step painting
• • The Little Boy’s Smile | Sketches

Well, I’m (kind of) back from my time off for maternity leave… as much as I can be back into the swing of things with a new little girl to take care of 24/7! My day is now broken down from one feed or diaper change to the next, with not a lot of time in between for myself… but it’s sooooo worth it!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last five weeks since Hera was born, especially having my husband home on paternity leave, and both my parents visiting from Canada during that time. It certainly made the transition into motherhood much easier with all their support!

So this is going to be the first day of my gradual return to freelance illustrating… I’ve two books on the go at the moment, and will post their progress as I find time to work on them (during Hera’s afternoon naps!)

As of this weekend, I’m going to be taking a “holiday” from illustrating & blogging for the next couple months, as my baby’s due on the 20th of February! While I likely won’t be able to respond to comments to my blog while I’m on maternity leave, I’ve put together some fun posts over the next few weeks to keep ya’ll interested ;) Will post a picture or two once the watermelon has been delivered… wish me luck!

I just finished painting the last of the illustrations for Tom Krause’s “The Little Boy’s Smile” Not a day too soon as I’m taking some time off for maternity leave tomorrow! I will to leave you in suspense as to how the rest of the illustrations turned out until they are all approved & sent to the printer… but in the mean time, here are a couple of my favourites from the book  :)

To see other posts about “The Little Boy’s Smile,” check out :

• The Little Boy’s Smile | One last sneak peak…
• The Little Boy’s Smile | Another Sneak Peak
• The Little Boy’s Smile | Step-by-step painting
• The Little Boy’s Smile | Sketches

Today I finished four of the 12 illustrations for children’s book “Tartan Meets the Queen,” by Charline Crous & Lauren Everton… thought I’d share a sneak peak!

So these illustrations start out as just plain old graphite pencil drawings (above), and I tint them with colour digitally in Photoshop.

I’m LOVING the new paper I’m using for this book, it’s a very smooth, white bristol-type board… much nicer to draw with pencil on than cold-press illustration board.

I also discovered a new favourite tool… the Staedtler “Mars rasor” eraser pencil with brush. It’s one of those hard erasers, and it’s lovely because I can sharpen it to erase those tiny little details that are hard to get crisp with a kneaded or rubber eraser.

To see other posts on “Tartan Meets the Queen,” check out :

• • Tartan Meets the Queen | Sketches
• • Tartan Meets the Queen | Concept Boards

“Tartan Meets the Queen” © Charline Crous & Lauren Everton, Illustrations © Heather Castles

Ok, just one more peak, but that’s the last one as I need to knuckle down and finish the last five illustrations this week! The main things I’ve been working on are the greenery, sidewalks, tents, and backgrounds… putting off the hard parts for last, typical me :)

I tried a new trick too… I’ve seen quite a few digital illustrations which which use silhouettes of people, rather than illustrating every detail of the person, clothing, etc. So I thought I’d give it a go, and added in some silhouettes of people in the far background to add more depth & a sense that there are a lot of people in the illustration. Am pleased with the effect, as it was a simple way of adding some interest behind the action in the foreground, without taking the time it would had I gone in with my 0-Paintbrush and tried to illustrate those tiny faces & bodies! I think I’ll use this silhouette technique more often.
To see other posts about “The Little Boy’s Smile,” check out :

• The Little Boy’s Smile | Another Sneak Peak
• The Little Boy’s Smile | Step-by-step painting
• The Little Boy’s Smile | Sketches