A Page from "A Roar and A Squeak"

Here is another page from my story, "A Roar and A Squeak".  You can order a copy of "8: A Kid's Book Anthology" here:  Indy Planet

Below are some of my thoughts on creative steps and the state of illustration. You can find the responses from the other 8 Anthology contributors here: Artist Q & A

What advice do you have for someone who wants to add more creativity to their life?
 Success (no matter what your creative goals are) does not happen overnight, so get started now. We are lucky to live in a time where we don’t need a huge studio with expensive equipment and supplies to produce quality work.  Save up and invest in a decent “work” computer, a wacom tablet, and some art programs. Look for deals on art supplies and start filling a few art drawers with them.  If you have the space, it is helpful to set up a permanent work area.  You may be surprised by how many tiny bits of time you can find in a day to chop away at a project if it can stay set up and ready to be worked on.

I keep huge idea lists and smaller project lists and give myself deadlines to finish projects. Starting a blog has helped me keep track of my artistic progress and stay motivated and focused. The online art community is full of supportive, helpful, and cool people, and there are tons of opportunities for critique, collaboration, and networking. You can almost create your own art school experience with all the great forums, tutorials, and communities. Get involved! Here is a good place to start:  http://www.illopond.com/   Podcasts have  played a huge role in building my artistic confidence.

How do you balance family, financial obligations, and creative personal projects?
  I do have to work a day job to pay the bills. I try to make the best of it. I keep notebooks/sketchbooks around at all times.  I think through plot problems and brainstorm ideas so I can put "pencil to paper" during the limited time at my art desk.  I listen to tons of art and business related podcasts and audiobooks at work.

Time with my family is my #1 priority. This time generates the vast majority of my ideas. We eat dinner together every night. We read or tell stories every night at bedtime. We talk about the authors and the illustrators. We draw characters from our own stories. We cherish imagination. We have a lot of art supplies for the kids to use. They are encouraged to work on their own projects. We don’t watch much TV, but we do watch lots of movies together. We talk about all the work and creativity that goes into movie production.  When we see something cool (toys, park designs, games, books, clothes, etc.), I try to talk about the design, creativity, and production that goes into it. Spending time with my kids  helps me see the world with artist’s eyes and a wondering mind.

 What is the current state of illustration, and where is it headed? 
Almost everything we see has some element of design and/or illustration to it. From toys, games, books, movies, ads, clothing, packaging, signs, websites, stationary, logos, and decor…It is everywhere. For such a massive presence in our society, I don’t think that artists/illustrators/designers are always appreciated or taken seriously. Here are some pretty hilarious examples of that:  ClientsFromHell.net  Some people understand how much time and effort goes into quality illustration, but many people still think it is a cute little hobby job, and that’s how they want to pay for it.  (see my previous post Caring for and Communicating with Your Artist) Finding the right market/audience/outlet is the key for success.  (and that's not easy!)

Is there a future for print?
I hope so! I love books. I’ve heard talk that my generation may be the last one to appreciate the printed book. There are plenty of kids out there who have full book shelves, and love trips to the library and bookstores. My kids do– I think they always will.

Is learning animation and programming necessary with the increasing demand for interactive media?
 It is impossible to learn every tool and technology.  I believe we should learn as much as we can, but focus on a few areas that we love and do those “awesomely”. 

How do you stay motivated when you see so many fantastic artists struggle, and “less professional” artists work for next to nothing?
Spec work and world economies make it incredibly difficult to earn a living wage as an illustrator. It is a competitive field that is full of awesome talent.  It’s not ever easy. When I’m not feeling great about my professional progress, I try to remember how much I enjoy creating and look back at my finished work. I always hope that someone else “gets it”, but I do this “just for me”, too. 
What are the most important things we can do right now to be relevant in 10 years?
Work on projects that we truly love and truly believe in. Stay informed and educated. Build deep and lasting relationships. Value children and teach value to children.

What are some of you influences and/or inspirations?
I am a pretty big fan of horror. I love horror movies from the Universal films to modern classics like The Devil’s Backbone. I especially love classic horror tales by M.R. James, Poe, Lovecraft, Ambrose Bierce, Saki, and all those old gruesome fairy tales. 

"Art of..." concept books are a HUGE influence for me.  I love the media experimentaion, the sketchy lines, and the variations that never became part of the finished work.

It is my opinion that the best artwork in the world is found in children’s books. I can (and do) spend hours and hours flipping through illustrated books for kids. Very inspiring stuff.  Three of my favorite artists are Charley Harper, Pascal Campion, and Chris Ayers .

"What Can I Do For You" #1 Stack: the game of animal stacking

Between "Stack" and my next story, I want to produce a series of relatively simple "What Can I Do For You" images.  I will use them for the "call to action / about me" section of my website and also in a small printed portfolio for marketing and promotion.

There are thousands of applications for artwork, illustration, and design.  As a creative entrepreneur (Does that sound better than freelancer?...I think so.), I have to show my potential customers the benefits that good art and design will bring to their business, product, project, etc.   By showing some examples of my art in context, a client can see potential solutions for their needs, and have a clear understanding of the value that I bring to their project. 

Advertisements ~ Banners (web and physical) ~ Book cover design / illustration ~ Brochures, pamphlets, etc ~ Business branding ~ Business cards ~ Cd art ~ Character design and Concept art ~ Children’s book illustration ~ Comics ~ Display ~ Game and toy design ~ Greeting cards ~ Licensing for home and office products ~ Logos ~ Magazine Illustration ~ Marketing Campaigns ~ Mascot and Spokes-Character design ~ Murals ~ Online Media and Gaming ~ Original Art for home, office, or business ~ Packaging design ~ Posters ~ Signs ~ Stationary ~ Stickers ~ T-shirt and clothing design ~ Website design ~ and more!!!

8: A Kid's Book Anthology

Off to the printer! The kid's book anthology that I have a story in should be available by November.  It is being printed by Ka-Blam and distributed through Indy Planet .  I will post information on how YOU can get your very own copy of this SUPER HIGH QUALITY book when a definitive release date is confirmed.

I am so proud to be included in this anthology.  The artwork and storytelling is outstanding.  This book is more than just stories, though.  It is an example of  independent spirit and collaborative motivation coming together in a productive way.  We all worked very hard on this project and we have an awesome book to show for that effort.  It is my belief that the future of creative art and storytelling will be largely independent and collaborative. 

If you are interested in taking that next step in your creative life, I urge you to get involved in creative communities.  Ben Powis, who's story "Hoot!"appears in the anthology, created  Illopond .  This is the forum we used to organize and communicate during the production of "8".   We have opened that project thread to the public, so you can see our process and development and hopefully join up and/or start a collaborative project of your own.  I think it would be totally awesome for the illopond to be the meeting place for dozens of independent collaborative projects every year!  (There is already talk for Anthology 2.)

I want give a HUGE "Thank you!" to Christpher Tupa for organizing this project and inviting me to take part.   I will post some more in-depth information about Christopher and the rest of the contributors in the near future.  In the meantime, check out their websites to see some of their awesome work!

Mark Harmon
Sam Kirkman
Michelle Kondrich
Craig Pirrall
Ben Powis
Christopher Tupa
Lee Wiley

Another Page and Website Update

Here is another page for the children's story anthology.  I'm almost finished and ready to start a new story.   It's about a dude named Sam.   He tries to convince this other dude to try green eggs and ham.  But this other dude is convinced that he doesn't like green eggs and ham.  Well, in the end, he does try them and he likes them!  Funny, huh?     I'll put in some cool illustrations and I have a great rhyme for the story.  Also I'm thinking about becoming a doctor.  We'll see what happens.

I've put up my new website.  I have a lot of stuff that I want to add to it over time, but  I wanted something out there now.  If you check it out, you can let me know if you find any broken links or other problems.  My biggest concern is how it displays on different screen ratios. How's it look on yours? I'll update as I make the site bigger and better!denverwagner.com

Who likes web page buttons?

I do. I do.  Ok, setting up my new website may take a little longer than I expected.  It will be up next week..   In the meantime, here are the buttons that I designed for the portfolio section of the site.

If I am not working towards my goals, I am working against them.

Armadillo Pillows are supernatural creatures that breath dreams.  They live in the bedrooms of children throughout the world, where they magically disguise themselves as pillows.   They are muses, inspiring creativity, contentment, and a drive to fulfill dreams.  They are also protectors, doing their best to guard against the nightmares caused by the dreaded Dreks.

"You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile."

-Brian Tracy

I am a story-teller and an artist.  In the past year of my life, I have taken a serious attitude towards being a successful story-teller and artist.  This blog is nearing it's one year mark (July 27th).  It has been helpful in my exploration and education of the online and digital world that is a necessary reality for modern success in any creative endeavor.  It has also been a fun and motivational tool to keep me focused on my creative goals.

I have set up an online portfolio: denverwagner.com.  I designed and printed my business cards and postcards.  I invested in a new computer (my 1st Mac!! Yeah!), new software (CS5!! Yeah!),  art supplies, and dozens of books.  I am involved in online artist communities. (Lot's of really cool people out there!)

I have studied, read, and researched the business, marketing, and sales side of creativity.  This is not always fun or interesting- but I have been surprised by how often it actually is.  Business skills, like artistic skills, are always evolving and expanding, but now I have a decent base to stand on.

"To infinity and beyond!"

-Buzz Lightyear

In the months and years ahead, I will focus on building a reliable client list.  My style leans towards illustrating children's products, media, books, and educational materials.  I intend to focus on earning more clients in these industries.  Along with more client work, I hope to grow a significant library of personal projects.

In 2010 (and beyond), I believe having several finished or in production personal projects is just as important as having a strong portfolio.   The economy is bad and the competition is awesome.  Ideas are a dime a dozen.  Having finished projects shows the world (including potential clients) that I have good ideas and the discipline to make something out of those ideas.

Hindsight is 20/20.  I wish I had started down this path years ago, but I can't complain.  In the past 10 years, I played in some really awesome bands, married the woman of my dreams, and had two amazing children who changed my whole outlook on life. 

Now being successful with my work is not about me anymore.  I am a story-teller and an artist.  This is the best way I can provide for my family.  I am a lazer beam focused on an intense production schedule.  I will finish 1 or 2 large projects every year.  I will finish a dozen or more smaller projects every year.  I have a dozen projects in development right now and three in production with two to be finished in 2010.  (And an idea list 100 items deep.)

When I find myself in the right place at the right time,  I will have something to show.

Being lucky is hard work.

Art Buddies

I've joined a great online group of artists and storytellers. I'll be adding their links to the "cool places" column on the right. They have helped me focus and proved what I have suspected for a while: sharing ideas is an important part of the creative process. It is great to have a place where like-minded people can discuss techniques, resources, struggles, and goals. It's a place for critique and support and to discuss projects and creativity in general. I'm excited about the group and psyched about working on and finishing some projects!

the girl takes the leap / some color stuff

More practice drawing people. I used a photo of my daughter as reference. She's about to jump down an inflatable slide.

The point of these quick sketches is to work on poses/anatomy/form, but looking at her pants and skin tones is reminding me of something I've been meaning to do for a long time. I need to create and save some nice color palettes on my computer. I'm currently just slightly altering the default palettes, which is only wasting time and negatively affecting the outcome of my work.

Working with color digitally has many benefits:

• It's not expensive like paint
• It's not messy like paint
• It's not permanent like paint
• Mixing colors is easier and faster and can't be wasted or ruined
• The ability to adjust opacity and layering is an artist's dream come true

Good color palettes will allow me to take full advantage of these benefits. Just another thing added to my to-do list (at least fooling around with color is fun).

There are tons of great books on color theory. My current favorite is:

The Designer's Guide to Color Combinations

by Leslie Cabarga

This book uses a source photo (a theater poster from the 1920's, a children's book illustration from the 1950's, an advertisement from the 1970's, old wrapping paper, etc.) and uses the color scheme on some new layouts. Good stuff.

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The Art Nouveau movement of the late 1800's and early 1900's was largely a style of architectural design. I like the print artists associated with this movement. They were a huge influence on the psychedelic art of the sixties and the style is still popular on gig posters, fantasy art, and in advertising today.

Here's an example from a book on Eugene Grassett who made a whole series of designs based on the diversity of the world's plant life. Spectacular colors:

Catalogs and ads are great (and free) places to pull some nice color ideas (and poses) from, too. The Sunday paper usually has some decent ads, but I also recommend getting on mailing lists for interior decoration retailers like Pier 1 Imports. Their catalogs have page after page of interesting color combinations.

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A friend and fellow artist left a comment with a great color resource. Thanks, Gina. here's the link to Kuler: http://kuler.adobe.com/#create/fromacolor

I'll be spending some time over there!

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Here's another site: http://www.colorjack.com/

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And last but not least, is this cool little tool. Just copy the url of any image and this site will instantly make a palette from it: Color Palette Generator

Here's a sample using one of my images.

dull
	#444411
	#66aa11
	#cc6611
	#ddbb11
	#eeeecc

vibrant
	#445500
	#33dd00
	#ff0000
	#ffbb00
	#ffffee

Tips on Caring for & Communicating with Your Artist

Every group of people has their own frustrations and pet peeves. The things that bother a banker, or an athlete, or a retiree, or a brand new mother are all different (and there are plenty of blogs to prove it.) Artists have their beefs, too. Your artist friend, family member, employee, or potential contractor has probably come across the occasional person who has either no respect for artistic skill or no understanding of artistic skill (maybe just this afternoon, which could explain their grumpy-pants attitude).

Tone is hard to convey in writing so please keep this in mind as you read: this post is not intended to sound condescending or make artists sound like a bunch of cranky malcontents. I hope you find it entertaining, informative, and a helpful in the understanding of your artist!

No artist wants to hear the following statements. Sometimes they come from well-meaning friends or family, sometimes they come from potential clients, and sometime they come from know-it-all strangers (who don't really know it all). I haven't personally heard all of these, but I've heard variations of most of them.

--"Hey, you like to draw. Why don't you draw a portrait (or caricature) of my kid (or car, or pet, etc.)?"

I don't like to draw, I love to draw. I love to draw so much that I have lists and lists of things that I want to draw. I will never have enough time to get to even a small fraction of these things and it makes me kind of sad. So yes, I love to draw MY STUFF. Pay me to draw your stuff.

--"How fun! You get to draw whimsical little drawings all day!"

No, we don't. A successful artist / illustrator (especially a freelance artist/ illustrator) must be a salesperson, a promoter, an accountant, a researcher, and a bookkeeper. We must manage inventory and supplies, build a strong network, and constantly educate ourselves on current tools and technology. Then, with any luck, we find a few clients who will actually pay us to make some artwork (which is rarely "fun" or "whimsical".) Then, the majority of us wake up and head to our day job.

--"Hey, I have this great idea for a story. I'll let you illustrate it. If I can get any money for it, I'll give you some."

Dude, write a professional contract and pay me for the work that I do. If you want to let me in on some of that sweet success down the road, put it in the contract. I'm willing to compromise, especially if I like your idea. If I'm going to work for nothing, I have dozens of my own stories that I'd rather invest my time in.

--"You're good at drawing. Can you draw me a logo for my new company, quick? Don't spend a lot of time on it or anything."

You just want to pay for a 1/2 hour's worth of work. Concepting, researching, and sketching, often takes as much or more time than the actual creation of a final piece. If "quick" was an option, don't you think we'd always use it? I've had ideas stew in my head for years before I've ever put them down on paper.

There's this great saying:

• You can have it fast.


• You can have it good.


• You can have it cheap.

Pick two.

--"You could totally get a booth at such & such "starving artist" expo."

When I hear commercials use the cutesy term "starving artist" it makes me a little angry. How would you like to get paid $39.99 for fifteen hours of work? Add to that the cost of supplies. Add to that paying for the booth you "get" to set up at. I don't understand why any artists support these expos. I'll take my chances at a legitimate convention, art fair or gallery where a piece of art is actually considered valuable. People think that a $39.99 painting is worth $39.99. People think a $300 or $3000 or $30,000 painting is an investment.

That being said, I personally have very few pieces that I would price over $100.

--"All you did was Photoshop that."

Photoshop is not magical. Neither is Illustrator, Painter, or any of the other (expensive) programs that an illustrator is expected to own and know how to use. They are incredibly complex and can be quite frustrating. There isn't an "awesome" button. Also, you need to come up with ideas and have the ability to translate those ideas to suit each specific project. Computer programs are tools and there are skills required to make them work.

--"You should enter this contest I saw online. The winner gets $150!"

These "contests" are a way for cheap companies to take advantage of naive artists. They get dozens or hundreds of pieces created to their specifications and only have to pay for one. This is called SPEC WORK and it devalues every hard working illustrator who is trying to provide for him/herself and his/her family. Imagine going to a restaurant and ordering 20 or 30 items off the menu but only paying for the one item you liked best. It's ridiculous. Artists should not be expected to work for nothing. Here is a website with more information: no-spec.com

--"You'll never make a ton of money with this stuff."

You are right. The thing is, I'm not really interested in new fancy cars, or an electronics-filled "man cave"(possibly the most annoying term ever created), or other expensive junk. I want my wife and kids to be comfortable and happy. If that means I need to have a day job, so be it. A lot of artists have the same goal: make enough money on each project to pay for the time spent working on the next one. I'll be happy with that. Anything beyond that is just icing on my cake.

--"Wait, you watch cartoons and read kids books even without your kids?"

Yes, and at the risk of sounding pretentious, I understand them on a deeper level than most other adults. I am totally fascinated by the processes and people behind the production of great stories and artwork. This is what I want to do. A musician digs a little deeper into music, an athlete notices a great play as it develops, a politician sees a situation he/she can take advantage of (ha ha), etc., etc. An artist notices details and ponders how and why these specific elements work in a scene or on a page.

--"OK, draw up some sketches (or comps, or drafts, or layouts, or whatever term this potential client uses) so I can decide if I want to use you on the project."

This is often the most time consuming and mentally challenging part of any project. No other profession exists where a worker is expected to start the job before he/she is hired. Artists have portfolios, resumes, and samples of their work for a reason. Did you see something in my portfolio that you liked? Do you think my style will work on this particular project? If the answer is yes, then hire me. There will be plenty of opportunities written into the contract for alterations and (if you must) your creative input.

--"Can you fool around with some ideas for this project in your spare time?

No. I don't have spare time. I have a full-time family and a full-time job. Your project is not a hobby for me. I am serious about producing quality work for paying clients and building a reputation that allows me to eventually freelance full-time. If I had spare time, I'd have no problem filling it with my own to-do lists.

So there you have it. I know this is a long post but it feels good to get this stuff out there. If you made it all the way here, thanks for reading! I assume you know exactly what I'm talking about, or you care enough about an artist in your life to try to understand him/her. If you find the information useful or relevant, please pass it around. The more people that understand where an artist is coming from, the more colorful and creative our world will become!

One more thing I want to add: There are many situations where artists should and do donate their time and skills. Helping out a friend or family member or donating to a specific cause or charity is a valuable use of artistic talent. It's good for everyone involved and as a bonus, the artist may get a nice piece for his/her portfolio.

-Denver Wagner Feb.2010

the Boy & the Bread

People are difficult for me to draw, but it seems that more and more of my stories and ideas actually have these silly, mostly hairless creatures in them. I have put off drawing people for too long! I am now committed to taking the steps required to get better at it. I shall draw several people every week. With practice comes improvement. I will not post any nude drawings of my wife because my wife will not pose nude. Also, she probably will not find much humor in the previous sentence. Here is a quick sketch of my son with a loaf of bread.

Goodbye, Pudding Man

The Pudding Man has watched over this blog for several months. His primary functions were to greet visitors, stare, and prevent any ugly unicorns from being posted. I think the unicorn threat has been neutralized. It is time for the Pudding Man to step down from his post. The Pudding Man reigns no more! I fear no ugly unicorns! Plus, I like my new banner. I also updated my portfolio: http://denverwagner.com/.

So, I respectfully send off the Pudding Man banner...I still love you, but your fonts are kind of...terrible.

I really, really hope no ugly unicorns show up here...especially not on Monday, January 25th, 2010.

Cthulhu (When You Love Something, Use It Over & Over Again)

One great thing about digital technology and easy access to great art programs, is the ability to reuse an image for multiple projects. So far, I've used Cthulhu (above)for a poster, blog posts, and a T-shirt.

All these were created from the ink sketch to the left below. I used Microns on a slick brochure paper. I like using this paper because the ink glides smoothly on it, but it also will smear if I'm not careful! Then I scanned it into my computer and experimented with a couple color fills.

I added a background and text for a gig poster. The above picture is the poster without copy.

I also separated his head to make the "Crafty" t-shirt (below)which is a reference to HP Lovecraft, who (I'm sure you know) is the man behind the Cthulhu mythos.

I don't feel like I'm "cheating" by reusing the same work in different projects. Technology has given artists more options and a speedy way to copy their work, but some initial skill is still required. A sketch of a stick person scanned into photoshop, won't print out a t-shirt with a caricature of Mick Jagger. So, I say if you like something, use it wherever you can. Where will Cthulhu pop up next? Maybe on an oven mitt or a shower curtain, or maybe on something at a time you'll least expect it. Bwaahh Ha Ha Haaa!

the Urban Panda needs to stop watching tv and figure out this whole network/router issue. now.

I bought myself a new computer last night. It's my first mac and it's pretty awesome. For some reason, though, it won't accept my network password so I can't get on the internet. It's kind of disappointing to have this issue when so much of the stuff I need to set up is online. I'm not a very tech-y person and I probably didn't set my network up correctly in the first place. So on top of a pricey machine, I may have to hire a pricey geek to get me set up. humpfff

Maybe the urban panda will take care of it while I'm at work. Or maybe he'll just sit around smoking and drinking and watching tv. I swear, if I find one more cigerette burn in my carpet, he's back on the street.

There are plenty of things to explore and learn offline, in the meantime. Almost everyone says, "Once you try mac, you'll never go back." So far, I'm tending to agree!

Thanking the Computer

I still love to get out real paints, pencils, inks, etc., but I've found computers to be incredibly helpful with my artwork. These are three of the greatest benefits of working digitally:

#1 Time Saver! When I sketched the little guy above, I didn't know what color he would be. I scanned the sketch into a vector program (FlexiExpert in this case) and started experimenting with color fills. Sketching, scanning, coloring, and uploading to this blog took less than 15 minutes. This is a quick way to see what direction I want to take.

#2 Ultimate Eraser Some artists argue that computers steal all the "happy accidents" that happen while working with traditional media. I can agree with that, but I've had plenty of "happy accidents" using the computer as well. I have had "Unhappy accidents" using traditional paints, inks, etc. that have completely ruined a piece (sometimes 3 or 4 hours into a project!). I am a fan of the undo button.

#3 Easy Access to multiple projects. I have a fairly large library of original sketches and paintings in my computer. They are at all different levels of completion. Having most of my work digitized allows me to access it for things like online portfolios, this blog, and hundreds of other digital applications. I can pull them into various programs as reference or as an actual part of a project. I often use my original abstract paintings to give my digital work a more organic/handmade look. For example, I think the little guy above looks good in red. I looked through my digital library of abstracts for some red areas and then combine them with the sketch using the mask tool. From this point, I could open one or more of these little guys into Photoshop or Painter and add some shadows and highlights or play around with some of the other great tools and tricks in those programs. Sometimes it's the subtlest variation that makes a piece work. Computers allow me to experiment without destroying the piece in the process.