Sky Fishing, Revised Sketch

The above sketch is the next phase of developing the rough layout of the sky fisherman that you see below. I enjoyed working on this while sitting in our woodsy back yard over the last couple of warm summer evenings. I worked off my lap on a lapboard. 

I decided to come in closer on the boat to give it more emphasis, and edit out the little dinghy. The fish, by the way, is a grouper. Next I will paint the sky and clouds. Then a lot of time will be devoted to rendering the color on the boat to make it look weathered. 

Have you seen my other blog, The Trowbridge Chronicles? 

Sky Fishing

It was a warm and pleasant night in the Pacific Northwest last night, so I went to one of my special places on the far corner of our property where the saw grass is eight feet tall, and did this small sketch. I might have been influenced just a bit by James Christensen, only my drawing style is miles from his. This is just an initial sketch. I will probably do a larger more refined sketch next, then I might paint it.

Loving County, Texas: The Least Populated County in America

For several years I've wanted to create a cartoon map of the lowest population county in the United States. Why? Good question.

I found the lowest population county in Loving County, Texas. So the other day I decided to create the map and use if as the header for my new Facebook fan page. Then, after I'd finished the art, I realized that I'd made a mistake. In drawing the map, I didn't allow for the picture and other windows that are a part of the Facebook header. These would cover up much of the text that I had hand-lettered on the map. So now what do I do? I decided for now to just drop it onto my blog, for your cartographic viewing enjoyment.

Fast Food

I've used my Skagway toad character many times over the years. I still use him often in my school appearances. In this case I used him for some greeting card art. I drew this several years ago, back in my pre-Photoshop days, when I was using markers and Prisma colors.

My other blog: trowbridgechronicles.blogspot.com

Sir Francis Drake's Ship in Combat

Over the years I've illustrated over three dozen books for the Teaching and Learning Company. One of my favorite books in that series is called Explorers of the New World Timeline. In researching for the illustrations I learned a lot about those explorers who first sailed to the New World. The ship that I illustrated above was captained by Sir Francis Drake.

Have you seen my other blog: The Trowbridge Chronicles.

The Crab that Got Away

This is a thumbnail sketch that I drew for my Monster Safari kids book. This was my original idea for the Snaggle-Tooth Crab, but I ruled it out because of its menacing appearance. When you're working with a G-rated audience, you don't want to get too menacing. I wouldn't want young children to have nightmares about a "scorpiocrab" hiding in their bed sheets at night. So this is the crab that got away. You'll only see it here, not in the book.

My new Monster Safari kids book will be out within two to three weeks. I'll keep you posted.

My other blog is called The Trowbridge Chronicles.

Last Page - Monster Safari Book

The last two pages of my Monster Safari book are instructional, with advice on drawing and shading. The above illustration gives tips about pencil shading. 

The book is now complete. One more final read-through and it's ready to send out. Monster Safari will soon be available for purchase. I'll keep you posted.