Childrens Illustration

www.maxinelee.com

A Change is as Good as a Rest – New Brushes!

Childrens Illustration

Happy 2015! I had to get that in as this is my first post of the year. I am a naughty blogger and I apologise.

It’s been a hectic few months in my studio – I’ve been working on puppet books, a mermaid book, aliens, kittens, bears and foxes (yes, more foxes). I literally haven’t stopped thanks to my super-efficient agents and amazing clients. I’ll be able to show you some of those things soon, but not until they’re published later this year.

The arrival of 2015 is spurring me on to branch out a bit with my style. It’s essential. Not doing it can leave you in a bit of a funk and I can see that not-so-distant funk on the horizon. I’m not talking a complete turnaround – just something small. Change is good, people. Change heralds progression. But change is a bit scary.

First step I’ve taken is to make myself some new brushes. I love this part, it’s like when you buy a new pair of shoes. Even old outfits feel better when you wear your new shoes. You feel smarter and fresher and, well, a little bit spruced up. Second step will be to output lots of new work with my brushes and start replacing the older work I have on show in my portfolio.

I have to replace rather than append because I’m trying to move away from older styles. It could be something as simple as ‘I don’t want to draw feet like that anymore – from this day forward all my characters will wear heels!’ to something more obvious like going from big bug eyes to dot eyes. But this time for me, it’s all about the textures. Here’s a sneaky peek at what I’ve been up to while I run off back to my drawing board.

www.maxinelee.com

I hope you like and thanks for stopping by.

Max x

 

 

 

 

The Best Advice I was Ever Given – For illustration and General Day-to-Dayness

Childrens Illustration, Editorial Illustration, General

Sometimes, I wish I had one of those people – who write profound little quotes like the ones that pop-up on my Facebook news feed – sat on my shoulder. Then I could respond to every situation with a positive thought for the day. But I don’t. So I often end up sounding really passive-aggressive or overly interested in things that don’t interest me (which can lead to me having to feign interest in the same subject for as many years as I know the person who is actually interested in it…).

This general demeanour has led to lots of unsolicited advice, but here are the best words of wisdom that were ever thrown my way.

“You are not a sausage factory.”

This has stuck with me through thick and thin, offered by an amazing illustrator when I was right at the beginning of my career. You know that bit where the whole world appears to be asking you to work for free (I like to call them freedy). Well, I had a client who was getting a good four weeks worth of my time for the equivalent of a piece of fluff and a magic bean. Really. They were also working my fingers to the bone and pretty much wanting me to just bang out generic images, using me as their hands. There was no creativity involved whatsoever. I asked a group of professional illustrators what should I do? A very, VERY fabulous lady said ‘You’re not a sausage factory,’ and I understood everything all at the same time. I think that was the day I learned self-respect as an illustrator. I’ve never worked on a job like that again.

Cinderella in rags (maxinelee.com) -The best advice I was ever given

Working my fingers to the bone…(maxinelee.com)

“If you act like you fell out of a Christmas cracker, that’s how people will treat you.”

This is pretty self explanatory and came from something I was reading on a very funny ‘mums’ advice website. If you have no values, morals, expectations then you only have a novelty value. And as we all know, novelty wears off very quickly. Stand up and say what you’re about.

“Ask. The worst that can happen is a big fat ‘no’.”

The most straight forward thing can sometimes be the hardest thing. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Sometimes, if you do ask, you don’t get. But the most important thing here is, nothing worth having is usually offered on a plate. You really do have to make your own opportunities or you’ll forever be wondering why everyone else is getting ahead and you’re stuck on the couch in your pyjamas watching daytime TV and checking your phone every five minutes. Disclaimer: Even if you become a go-getter overnight, I can’t guarantee that you won’t still check your phone every five minutes…

“You can’t go over it, you can’t go under it, you have to go through it.”

Ten points to everyone who’s sticking their hands up now saying ‘I know that one!’ This is a great mantra for tough times or that middle to end bit of a project or that one double page spread you’re really not looking forward to colouring. This is my favourite all-rounder piece of advice.

And when everything goes wrong:

“What’s for you, won’t go by you.”

This is my mum’s stock phrase for when things go wrong. It’s a bit hokey-pokey but it always makes me feel better. I do find myself now saying this to other people when everything goes belly-up.

 

Big Whoop! A Whole Book From A Tiny Illustration.

Childrens Illustration, Childrens Writing, Links

If you were following my Twitter account a few years ago, you may remember that I had a fox as my background, just on the left of the page. His sharp little nose pointed to a post and he said Big Whoop with his sarcastic face on.

Sarcastic Mr. Fox

So how do you go from there to a book?

Well the first thing to happen was a conversation with my Agent (Bright) in the US* and at the time, that was the fabulous Kirsten Hall. I had no intention of doing anything other than occasionally agree with Mr. Fox as he selected a random post on Twitter to be not bothered about (sometimes my own, sometimes not). Kirsten had a twitchy feeling though and planted the seed that he’d be a great character if I could develop a story for him.

So I did.

It involved a rabbit, a squirrel, a helicopter, a dragon, kittens, a chessboard and a sausage. The sausage was eventually dropped, for reasons of decency, but the story was something to build on with the right publisher. Cue Pow! Kids Books.

I had one of those overseas conversations with Sharyn at Pow!, you know where you sound very awkward and dweeb-like because of the delay (laughing 20 seconds after the last sentence started so you miss the start of the next sentence). We talked about language and words and I learned why American’s look at me like I’m a little strange in face-to-face conversation. I use a LOT of colloquial terms, so we had to change that. Originally, there was a line ‘Well fold me like a letter and post me home!’. That was cut.

At this point, we signed the deal, and although it was my third book, it was my first with a publisher outside of the UK so I was completely chuffed (if you’re in the UK)/stoked (if you’re in the US).

From there it was just ironing out details and colouring in. The personalities of Roman and Harrison and Mr. Fox are all family based. I couldn’t possibly put names to them, that would be rude, but I bet the lovely mister can spot himself in there…

1BW_jacket_final

Pow! have been brilliant to work with and pretty much let me run riot with the artwork, but I’ll always be sad about the sausage. I loved that sausage, in all it’s innocent inappropriateness.

To see for yourself or to play ‘Spot where the sausage was’, Big Whoop! is available here and all over the place (in the US) or on Amazon or Foyles in the UK.

If you fancy seeing some reviews, you can check out Goodreads or Google if you have a spare 5 minutes.

To keep up to date with all my latest goings on in your Facebook news feed, you can stay in touch here – FACEBOOK – tada!

I really appreciate your support, people, even just reading my waffles on here. It means so much to me and I can’t say a GREATBIGTHANKYOU enough!

Max x

*I should point out that my Agents in the US now are the equally fabulous Anne Moore-Armstrong and James Burns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Things!

Childrens Illustration, General
mrfox_from BigWhoop

Big Whoop!

Just checking in quickly to shout about the fact that I’ve updated my folio with lots of new things. You can get there by clicking the link up there ^ or go to www.portfolio.maxinelee.com if you like typing.

I’ve uploaded lots of art from Big Whoop!, Sorry, Dad!, Pi-Rat!, a picture dictionary I worked on last year for Blue Rabbit and some educational spreads for Learning Focus and Compass Media.

I’ll post again shortly with a nice meaningful post about the fabulous commissions/projects I’m working on right now, just as soon as the heat stops frazzling my brain.

Max x

SorryDad2_PublishedMay14_maxinelee sml

Sorry, Dad!

Just a quick post to share some the fabulous reviews/comments left by Mumsnet members after their big Sorry, Dad! giveaway. I do love a bit of Mumsnet (in between sketching and writing) so when I saw these, I was smiling all over my face.

Click here to read Mumsnet reviews for Sorry, Dad!

Childrens Illustration, Childrens Writing, Giveaway, Links

Super-Awesome Drawing Competition!

Childrens Illustration, General, Giveaway, Goodies

You don’t have to draw like a boss to win – just draw a picture of the worst thing you ever did to your dad and write Sorry, Dad! on there. For example – my sister waited until my dad was asleep, bit the heads off all her jelly-babies and then stuffed the bodies in his gaping, snoring mouth. I’d give you an example of my own but I was angelic and was always nice. Ahem.

Are you as bad as the cheeky little cat in Sorry, Dad?

Pongalong_charsketch1

You can tweet your pics to me @maxillustration or you can post them on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/maxillustration.I’ll put them all in an album for everyone to see and announce the winner next week. You have until 4th June to get your entries in! If you have 10 children, they can all enter separately. You can help me decide the winner by ‘Liking’ your favourite pics.

The prize is a signed illustration (by me) of you and your Dad (Step-Dad, Granddad – use your imagination here) and the worst thing you did…I’ll even throw in a signed copy of ‘Sorry, Dad!.

Please only enter if you’re in the UK – sorry for the exclusion, I wish we could all do what we like but I don’t want to get told off.

Get drawing!

The Importance of Being Inclusive – Children’s Books.

Childrens Illustration, Childrens Writing, General

I’ve been commissioned to write and illustrate an inclusive children’s book (full details later, it’s a huge project with lots of people involved). Feeling really proud to be working on it, I mentioned it to a friend. She asked Why?

So how do you explain inclusivity to someone with seemingly no understanding of the term. To someone who doesn’t work with children or communities.

I asked how she felt about some children being under-represented in books or on TV. She didn’t believe that this was the case. Instead insinuating that we (as a society) are ramming inclusivity down peoples throats when there’s no need.

We talked about the project some more and I explained how everyone involved doesn’t want an ‘issue’ book. How nobody wants or feels the need to lecture young children on what a family is or how many shades of skin or conditions and disabilities there are. The aim is to normalise, not to set apart.

Again, I couldn’t get through. She felt it was unimportant and that children are too young to be taking notice of these things in picture books. Essentially, that it was unnecessary.

Later in the week, my youngest (6) was playing on the floor. There was a local news feature on TV about adoption rates in the area for LGBT couples. I prepared myself for a barrage of questions as I decided it was a really good time to test the water and try and gauge his understanding of family units. I said something along the lines of ‘Aww, look at the baby with his dads – they’ve adopted him’. He looked at me strangely, so I pre-empted and said ‘Some children have two dads and some have two mums and…’ He cut me off and said, ‘Yeah, I know…But what does adopted mean?’

It was one of those moments that made me stop and smile. Just like I did when he told me all about recycling, the week before. These little tiny people are more aware of their environment and diversity than ever before.

canyoudraw

That conversation with my friend ultimately ended up biting me, as she came to the conclusion that my portfolio is not very diverse. We weren’t arguing, I should probably point that out…All very civilised over a cup of tea and a cake.

She’s right. Evaluating my own portfolio, it is imbalanced. I could do a lot more and I will make more of an effort in future to be inclusive. And if a six year old goes home comfortable with and accepting of cultural and lifestyle differences like mine did, I’d be very proud to have created that material under her (or his) nose. The point is, he didn’t find it unusual. And this is down to exposure. This is where children’s authors and illustrators have a big responsibility. Show diversity in your words and pictures. Expose children to an open society where everyone is equal. Show little girls they don’t need to be rescued and show little boys there’s no shame in pushing a pram.

Above all else, don’t make a big deal of it. How do you draw a gay man? You draw a man.