"The Moment Before I Lost My Mom" Kids Book Project Progress for SCBIW Portfolio Preview. . .and eventually Self Publish by April 2020
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@Squirrel-Size I can tell that page 6 is going to be another memorable image—it conveys the sense of peace and contentment you found in your happy place so well!
I don’t know if it was a conscious decision, but the illustration of the water pump on layout 3 reinforces the concept of the sad feeling with subtlety, almost as if the pump is a metaphor for the tears you shed.
I believe this will be a wonderful book where your pictures tell the story in a way that doesn’t require a lot of text. For some reason (I can’t explain why, because your images are very different), this called to mind an old children’s book I have by Cooper Edens titled “if you’re afraid of the dark, remember the night rainbow”.
Maybe it’s the fact that you find comfort in memories of your mom in that happy place. The last line in that book is “if there is no happy ending...make one out of cookie dough”.Your story in pictures is a bit like haiku—not many words are required to evoke a visceral response
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@BichonBistro Oh my! I didn't realize that about spread 3! But that is a wonderful coincidence! That brings on a whole new light to it. Thanks for pointing that out
I looked up Cooper Edens. I like how simple the illustrations are and the simple phrases that go with them. I can see some similarities there. I love the ending phase especially so bc I love cookies. hehehehe
Thank you so much, I love your input!
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Spread 8 has been one of the first ones I've been working on so far. Mostly because it hasn't require too many thumbnails to start, hehehe. Its been a bit of a challenge to try to keep the same color palette as the original piece (at the top of this thread). I've been going back and forth trying to remember all the affects. I still have some tweaking to do on this one, but I wanted to post it and see if anyone had any thoughts.
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@Squirrel-Size Ohhh what a nice fluffy breathy style you choose. It look beautiful
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@Squirrel-Size I haven't been able to be on the forum for months, but opening it up today and finding this post is really inspiring! I really connected with your "Moment Before" entry back in April, as I think many others did as well, and I am happy to see that it has been the springboard for so much more. I believe this is a truly worthwhile project, and am convinced that the final product will be beautiful and meaningful. Best of luck,
Sue -
@suenaumi Awe! Thanks Sue! That means so much. Its really blowing me away how much you all are excited about this project too. You all keep propelling me! Thanks for the sweet post
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This is so sweet.
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Thumbnails for spread 11. I plan to start this spread this weekend. Any input guys/gals?
Below is original thumbnail from storyboard:
The Thumbnails:
Detail thumbnails:
I like the second detail thumbnail because it looks like they are walking away vs. the first one where they seem like they are just standing with their tail touching. Also, I'm trying to figure out if I like them looking ahead or looking at each other. What are your' ll thoughts?
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@Squirrel-Size Just opening the forum from a long break and saw your beautiful project
It is so great to create from your own story and your childhood memories with your mom.
I can only relate too much as I've been wanting to make a book from that difficult time I experienced as well. But it stayed at the dummy stage...I really like the flow of your spreads and I'm really looking forward to see your beautiful garden illustrated.
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Thanks @marine! Thats so cool you've worked on a book about your experience too, I hope us peeps on the forums can see your book someday. But I know it can be really hard to get a book project off the ground especially when life gets in the way. Go forth and ArtSmith away
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@Squirrel-Size I love it!
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@Squirrel-Size @Squirrel-Size I wish I could give substantive reasons for my reactions, as I think that is most helpful, but I will just say my first impulse was “that’s it” to the 2nd detail—definitely like them looking at each other, holding hands, tails not touching. I don’t know why, except that it gives me the feeling they are about to part ways but not bonds (maybe the hands seem like the bond to me?) and it’s not a permanent parting of ways (maybe the tails slightly apart? gazing at each other?).
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@BichonBistro Hahahahaha, the subconscious reaction. Yes! What you said is exactly what I want viewers to get from it! Wow, Thank you so much for all your helpful input. It helps more than you know
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This is a beautiful project and what a moving story.
. I wish you the best with the book. Jdeebella
Illustrator and maker
https://www.instagram.com/jdeebella -
Thanks @jdeebella, I appreciate it
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Doing some Humming bird sketch studies. Probably will be working on some flower sketch studies tomorrow
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@Squirrel-Size really excited to see this grow into a picture book.
I definitely agree you can remove the word “can” from most pages. You could also combine spreads 5 and 6 into one spread, leaving room for the baby girl goat to show some sadness on her own.
Here’s my thoughts on the text/ what I’d change it to:
1: My Garden is my happy place
2: I come here to escape
3: Especially when I’m tired or sad
4: Here I can help things grow
5: Here I can smell things
6: Here I can feel happiness growing
7: When I want to share my happiness...
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9: I take it to someone who is sad
10:... like my mom
11: ( I don’t think you need any text here your image is pretty powerful) or something like “ she’s not here anymore “
12: So I remember her through my flowersI love the emotions in this, also there definitely need to be more goats in children’s books, they’re super cute.
Hope this helps, just my two cents
Sarah
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Thanks @sarahlawrence for the input! I'll fiddle around with the text some more! Love seeing your take on it
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Storyboard sketch
The Drawing Below:
Okay! I spent about 4 hours sketching this on Friday and about 2 hours doing sketch studies. I wished I could have completed it, but I moved my tiny house Saturday and it took my WHOLE day! Sunday is family time. I think I'm gonna just have to give something up day to day to have at least an hour a day to work on this and then 6 hours on Friday. I think, I need to set up a schedule of what needs to be done, so I don't fall behind before my deadline. Wow, time management can be hard! I feel like I'm back in art school again lol
I plan to keep most of the finished drawings black and white without any color for the dummy book. And then this winter I plan to complete them with color and format it.
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So lovely!
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