Tag Archives: Children’s book illustration

Feb24

Creative Juice #332

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Lots of quilts and other creative stuff.

Stray cats.
The art of Chen Yingjie, A.K.A. Hua Tunan
How to fold a cloth napkin into a rose. (Scroll down.)
Colorful quilts.
2-color quilts with a lot of impact.
What is beloved author Judy Blume up to these days?
We’ve heard about many heroes who stepped up on 9/11, but you may not have heard about this rescue mission.
Crochet an easy basket.
Many beautiful quilts on this Instagram page.
Sketching in a market in Mumbai.
Common items in your home become part of the scenery in these miniature vignettes.
An illustration contest and several tutorials on children’s book illustration.

Jan6

Creative Juice #325

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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I’m excited for you to see these wonderful articles.

How 36 high school students built a house for Habitat for Humanity.
If you love how children express themselves, then this Instagram page is for you.
These signs made me laugh out loud.
Flowers and fruits in threes.
These books scheduled to release in 2023 are generating quite a buzz.
Works of Pablo Picasso.
Building creative capacity.
Prize-winning wildlife photography.
From the sublime to the ridiculous: the Comedy Wildlife Photography awards.
My favorite way to see snow: through children’s book illustrations.
A photographer critiques Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s “The Harvesters.” More about Pieter Bruegel the Elder from the ARHtistic License archives.
Sketches of San Jose.

Oct28

Creative Juice #315

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Some pretty things, some scary things, some tips for fiction writers, and more.

Some of these cats are cute, and some are behaving badly.
Writing prompts for Halloween.
Halloween illustrations from children’s books.
Jack-o’-lanterns with literary tie-ins.
Beautiful steps.
HBO’s The Gilded Ageincludes authentic characters of color.
Free quilt patterns from Riley Blake Designs.
For the fiction writers: chapter management.
Whether you’re an author, an artist, or an inventor, if you’ve been thinking about starting a newsletter, prepare yourself.
For the bloggers: ideas for blog posts.
More for the fiction writers: developing characters.
And yet more suggestions for developing your characters.
Ghosts of the great artists.

Sep2

Creative Juice #310

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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A lot of articles that will stimulate your thinking this week. And some pretty stuff.

Wonderful woodworking projects.
I’ve never gone to a county fair. Have you?
I never knew sea grass was so interesting.
Dreams may be the key to your creativity.
Feedback hurts. How to accept it in stride, and how to give it constructively.
Habitat for Humanity in Phoenix is trying out 3D printed homes.
Extraordinary photos of ocean waves.
Just the thought of tattoos makes me cringe, but these are amazing.
James Rey Sanchez discusses his process and how he broke into illustrating children’s books.
A painter discusses Paul Cézanne’s still lifes. More about Cézanne.
Halloween is less than two months away. There is no better time for writing horror. Here are thirteen tips.
Whatever the art, you’ve got to put in the time. Every day.

Jul29

Creative Juice #305

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Wonderful articles to enjoy this weekend.

These designs should win awards.
Breathtaking horse photographs.
Practice to grow as a writer.
Photographs of geographic formations and natural disasters. The top photo is the beginning of the slideshow.
Thoughts on a scrappy Christmas (or not) quilt.
The discovery of a previously unknown self-portrait by van Gogh.
Creating new creatures by collage.
Multi-media artist Judi Kauffman.
Children’s book illustrator Katie Mazeika.
Thoughts on religious art and on Carracci’s The Lamentationin particular.
I could vacation here.
Parenting book recommendations.

Jul8

Creative Juice #302

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Five of these articles are about quilts or quilting or photographing quilts. But there are also blogging tips, a summer reading list, and other interesting stuff.

It breaks my heart when beautiful buildings are abandoned. I want to restore them all.
Stuck for something to write about? Try these prompts.
Getting the illustrations just right.
Amazing Double Bear Claw quilt.
A postmaster who loves her job.
Big stitch quilting.
Photographing your quilts outside.
How many good friends do you have?
Some more pretty quilts.
Summer reading list.
I admit it—I’m getting tired of blogging. But this article has some great suggestions.
Beautiful West Virginia quilts.

Jun24

Creative Juice #300

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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If you like quilts and trees, you’ve hit the jackpot this week.

Sketching trees.
Beautiful quilts on Instagram.
Another stroll with Nathalie through Jersey City.
Challenge blocks and quilts. These always inspire me.
Charming vintage photographs.
The story of Zippy the raccoon.
Learn about the Lake County California Quilt Trail.
An artist describes her process and her journey toward becoming a children’s book illustrator.
Plein air sketching. I have been wanting to do this for years. Maybe someday soon. Those little clamps look very handy.
Do you like to cross stitch? Here are some free patterns. (Click on the titles under each design.)
Unusual trees. Maybe we could sketch these? (If you do, post them on your blog or social media and leave a link in the comments below.)
The Adoration of the Magi. I’ve always loved this painting. One year I sent out Met Christmas cards with a detail from this painting. I never realized it was painted by Hieronymus Bosch.

Mar4

Creative Juice #284

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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All sorts of creative things to look at.

Breathtaking photographs of Asia.
How a Portuguese diplomat in France disobeyed an order and saved thousands of lives during the Holocaust.
A watercolor galaxy tutorial.
Why people love dogs and other animals.
In order to create things of quality, you must do quantities of work.
I’m going to try the second suggestion in this article for the MG novel I’m working on. (I need to deepen my supporting characters.)
Street art.
Library book etiquette. Keep our libraries free and open.
Tips for guest blogging.
Ukranian folk art masterpieces among the casualties of the Russian invasion.
I like these ideas for texturizing multimedia art.
The amazing illustrations of Daniel O’Brien.

Jan21

Creative Juice #278

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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These articles held my interest this week:

Can you read one more productivity article? This one has some interesting ideas I want to try.
This quilter has many quilts-in-progress.
I never realized the problems that transracial, transnational adoptees face. Poetry helps them cope.
Great pieces of classical music to introduce to your children. I’m familiar with all of these except one. That’s why I love lists like these—I always learn something new. (Sorry, two of the videos are missing. It happens sometimes.)
Amazing entrepreneur journey: the best sake in the world is made in Arizona.
Tutorial: how to draw a cobra, step by step.
Moody watercolor portraits.
One illustrator’s journey.
I never heard of Martin Johnson Heade. I love this commentary on one of his paintings.
These photos might make you wince.
A reading list of older books that were popular when they were released, but I’ve never heard of any of them.
I love looking at this artist’s sketchbook.

Dec10

Creative Juice #272

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Lots o’ neat stuff.

Want to make some holiday ornaments to decorate your home or to give as gifts? Here are some free patterns.
For the writers: a great article on how to start writing your story. (I have no problem starting. I like the starting part. My problem is finishing. Somebody please write that article.)
I didn’t get around to writing an RIP for the late Stephen Sondheim. But not to worry, because my friend Donna did. Bookmark this and listen to all the wonderful music when you can—it’s awesome.
Steampunk spider sculptures.
Intricate cut paper art.
Celebrating while grieving.
Faux calligraphy alphabet.
Do you like miniatures?
Celebrity memoirs. I’ve read two of these, and see a couple more I’d like to read.
An artist looks at Rodin’s sculptures.
Awesome crochet projects.
Illustrator Joy Laforme talks about her career path and her handmade Christmas ornaments.