NEW PRINT AVAILABLE

I've added a new print to my shop. This is an image from my book "Grumpy Goat".
Also, if you haven't seen it, check out HOW TO DRAW A GRUMPY GOAT.

DRAWING LESSON

I hope that you enjoyed the "How to Draw a Grumpy Goat" lessons. Today I want to show you how to construct a simple drawing of a face. These are the basic steps to construct any face, in the future I'll show you how to adjust the shapes and proportions to create different faces.

Again, we will start with basic shapes. Begin by drawing a simple circle.

Next, add a shape like this at the bottom of the circle.

Next draw a construction line vertically through the center of the shape and another horizontally dividing the shape into quarters.The exact placement of the horizontal line will vary depending on the age and look of the character, I'll talk in more detail about this in future posts. For now, place it in the center. Next, place a small mark to divide the lower segment of the vertical line in half and then, another mark half way between that mark and the chin. These are the lines on which we will hang all the features.

Next add some very simple features as shown below.

On this simple drawing you can add any details you like. Here's an example below. These are the steps that I use to create any character I draw, in future posts I'll show you how to vary the details to make a variety of characters. In he meantime just play around and see what you can do.

FAVORITE ILLUSTRATIONS

I love the work of Russell Patterson. Beautiful compositions and simple elegant lines. I found this image in  a book called "Top hats and Flappers, the art of Russell Patterson." I highly recommend it.

CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK EVENT

Celebrate Children's Book Week in Park Slope, Brooklyn! Arts at Old First is pleased to present a Children’s Book Week event featuring local authors and musicians. 

Children of all ages (and their grownups) are invited to come and enjoy this wonderful family event, which will encompass the books, movies, costumes and cookies into one magical afternoon. Two concurrent events will run twice, allowing families to enjoy an hour-long program of authors and illustrators reading their books (upstairs) followed by an hour-long program of beloved movie themes performed by local brass quintet (downstairs). Or music followed by storytime... take your pick!I hope to see you there. Here a link for more details.Children's Book Week

HOW TO DRAW A GRUMPY GOAT PART 2

A few weeks ago I posted a simple drawing lesson called "How to Draw a Grumpy Goat" based on my latest picture book. At the end of the lesson I encouraged you to try some different shapes to create a goat of your own. Here are two examples of how you could do this. Also, as you can see not all goats are grumpy.

GRUMPY GOAT EVENT

My friend, Regina Sadowski, has composed a score to accompany my picture book "GRUMPY GOAT". We will be performing it on April 21st in Manhattan at the Bloomingdale School of Music in Manhattan. After the music, I'll be signing books and doing some drawing with the kids, or anyone else. I hope that you can make it. Here's a link for the details. Bloomingdale School of Music

HOW TO DRAW A GRUMPY GOAT

I've been wanting to post an occasional drawing lesson, so I'm starting with the main character from my latest picture book "Grumpy Goat". Let me know if you like this and I'll try to do more.

One of the keys to drawing is to start with very simple shapes. It's tempting to draw the details first, but drawings will always be better if you focus first on basic shapes. Here's how I draw a grumpy goat. Start with a shape like this:

This is the shape of the goat's head. Next add some of the features, like the ears and beard. Remember, you still want to keep the shapes simple.

Now you can add the eyes, nose and horns, still very simple.

Once the basic shapes are in place you can add whatever details you like and refine the lines and shapes. Here's the final drawing. Give it a try, see what you can do. Don't be afraid to change the shapes and details to make your own grumpy Goat.