A do over

Below is a painting I just finished that is a re working of an older one. After this spring's SCBWI conference I was determined to shake up my illustration style to bring more life to my compositions and energy in general. This is my first "do over" of an older painting and I am very happy with the results. Originally I thought I would use watercolor for my new work and I completed an early version using that medium with a heavy colored pencil outline but I wasn't as satisfied with the results. This painting is a bit of a compromise. I am using my new favorite medium acryla-gouache with a more subtle colored pencil outline. It's a good start and I will add more paintings here as I find the time to complete them.

Open for business!

Just over a week ago we made the big move back to Seattle after two years in Bellingham so my wife could earn her Masters degree at Western Washington University. With the mission almost accomplished it was time to head back to our favorite city by the water just in time for summer.

The best part of changing homes was setting up my best studio space yet! For the first time I have my own separate room that includes all the essentials needed to complete my work. Below are some views of my inspiring new creative space. Now I just need a new project! "Crickets, crickets, crickets"...

Love the summer breezes through the open window.

A computer, scanner and printer near my drawing table for the first time. Love listening to NPR (KUOW in Seattle), music, and my favorite podcasts. That's a live broadcast of TBTL on my computer.

Mirrors for any life drawing, my easel, books for reference, and a TV for distraction.

Lots of closet space for art supplies, computer files, reference (National Geographic's) and my published books.

I have been turned into a float!

A young fan of mine recently created a float about me and my work for a biography project for her class. How cool is that!? Here are a few of the photos. Such an honor, I had to share.

This book cover looks familiar...

Is that me wearing a boa? Not sure how I feel about that (kidding)....

An interview about The Can Man for the New York State Reading Association Youth Book Blog

Follow the link below to read an interview about "The Can Man" for the New York State Reading Association's Youth Book Blog. The interview relates to the recent Charlotte Award nomination the book was lucky enough to receive. Mrs. Carver’s fourth grade class at Edison Elementary School, Tonawanda, NY, asked me the great questions. Enjoy!

http://charlotteaward.wordpress.com/

New children's illustration classes and an oil painting class for teens starting in July!

Just a quick reminder that I have new children's book illustration classes and an oil painting class for teens starting in July in Bellevue and Seattle. Hope to see you in a class and please spread the word!

Here are the details...

Children's Book Illustration I
Immerse yourself in the world of children’s book illustration with
this introductory course. Through in-class assignments using a variety
of media, you'll learn basic techniques to complete illustrations for
young readers. Also learn the business side of children’s book
illustration, including what it takes to get your work seen by the
right people. Character consistency, portfolios, contracts, and other
topics are also covered. Craig Orback is an award-winning illustrator
of over 15 children's books. Basic drawing skills are helpful but not
required. Homework is required.

Bellevue College, Saturdays, 8 Sessions, 7/9/11-8/27/11,
10:00-12:30pm, $149
Go here to register

North Seattle Community College, Thursdays, 8 Sessions,
7/7/11-8/25/11, 6:30-9:00pm, $125
Go here to register

Beginning Oil Painting for Teens
This no pressure introductory course introduces teens to the basics of
painting with oils. Learn about materials available to painters, color
mixing and some basic color theory as well as composition. Instructor
gives one-on-one feedback in this fun, hands-on studio class. Please
bring supplies to the first class and be ready to paint!

Bellevue Community College, Saturdays, 4 Sessions, 7/16/11-8/6/11,
1:30-4:30pm, $169
Go here to register

Renewal

This past weekend I attended the SCBWI Western Washington conference for writers and illustrators. I have attended several in the past including the New York winter conference but never have I come away so inspired by others. I have a renewed faith in my chosen career and a desire to shake things up. Part of this excitement came from seeing the great illustrator Dan Santat talk about his career path and renewed commitment to picture books. We were all moved by his inspiring speech including Dan. His talk was that memorable.

During his presentation he mentioned a pivotal moment early on when he decided to change up his painting style. This is something I have been toying with myself for several years but was too afraid. I have been illustrating kids books for 10 years now working hard at getting better with my chosen medium (oil paint) . With my recent book "The Can Man" I was beginning to feel I was getting closer to the style I had envisioned for myself when I started out. I am not going to throw overboard my realistic, painterly style but I am ready to develop a second parallel track. During my downtime in between jobs I am commiting myself to taking some of my older oil paintings (as well as some new images) and reworking them in a new looser way aimed at younger audiences.

This isn't a crass stab at a bigger more lucrative market but a heartfelt artistic yearning to express myself in new exciting ways. I have always been drawn to this style of work and used to paint this way with watercolor in the past. Change and growth will feed my soul. After all I am in the book making business not the painting realistic at all costs business. Watercolor, pencil, gouache, and maybe some pastel and ink will be my new mediums. Mixed media in other words. Wimsy, freshness, looseness, simplification, line work and engaging characters (both human and animal), is a small part of what I am after. When I became an oil painter N.C. Wyeth and Gregory Manchess were a few of my inspirations. Now I am looking at among others, Trina Schart Hyman and the wonderful Amy June Bates for guidance on how to loosen up my line work and depiction of people.

Below is my first attempt at taking an older painting and playing with these new themes at the sketch phase. Now its time to shut up and put paint to paper. If I like it I will share it soon. If I don't, well I will just try again with something new. Its supposed to be fun after all!

More great Can Man news!

In the past few weeks I have learned that The Can Man is up for two state reading awards! In Pennsylvania it has been nominated for the 2011-2012 Keystone to Reading Book Award. In New York state it will appear on the 2012 Charlotte Award Ballot (in the primary category), the state award run by the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA). With both awards students will vote for their favorite and the winner will be awarded in the fall of 2012. Really excited that so many new kids will be exposed to our book over the next year. Also the book will be part of TD Bank's summer reading program on the east coast. Even more great exposure! The Mid-Atlantic loves The Can Man!