[from Alicia Diane Durand's blog, This Little Fish]
Today was a very fun day with my one-year old daughter at Barnes & Nobles. She and I spent an hour playing in the children’s section of the store. I was looking through the books while she played beside me. At one point, I stopped and laughed as I watched her take turns hugging her friends, Olivia, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Curious George.
RIGHT: Pages from Diane's journal during a trip to Tanzania in 1999
I am very familiar with the children’s books characters these days not only because I am a mom, but also because I am a graphic facilitator. As a mom, I read to my daughter all the time and as a Graphic Facilitator I draw in my journals almost daily. My journals are filled with thoughts, mind maps, models and sketches. The sketches are of things I see… a pattern on a carpet, art on a label, a character in a book or the details of a mantel.
My journals are also filled with practice pages. These are pages where I practice drawing animals, kids, computers, fish or anything that I feel I am inspired by or struggle with drawing. For me, drawing requires practice. I have to practice to build my physical and mental memory of images. I love to practice how other people interpret animals, people, places and things. A simple cow can be drawn a thousand different ways.
I really am inspired by the illustrations of Children’s Storybooks and Children’s “How To” books. Today, I was delighted to find several new drawing books. I am so excited so sit down this weekend with my journal, pens and some of my favorite markers to practice drawing mermaids, princesses, aliens and cows.
Below is a list of my new fun finds:
Coloring Fun: Aliens in Space
Illustrated By: David Crossley
“I initially got this book for my nephew who loves Aliens. The
closer I looked at it the more I realized how much I could learn from
this coloring book.”
Usbourne Activities: What Shall I Draw?
Designed & Illustrated By: Amanda Barlow
“ I think this is one of the most colorful and playful books I have found. I like the way the book is laid out to show you how to draw characters and scenes too.”
Cartoons for Kids
By: Mark Artell
“What fun, fat playful characters. I love it.”
Kids’ First Mandalas
“This is a great tool for journaling. I hope to one day write a book about how you can use journaling in your personal transformation. This will be a great book to have as a tool for teaching how to draw mandalas.”
How to Draw Princesses and Ballerinas
Designed and Illustrated By: Jan McCafferty, Non Figg, Katie Lovell and Stella Baggott
“Okay, I first looked at this book because I have a daughter. But fell in love with they way they show many styles for drawing Princesses. There are four illustrators represented in this book. It really is a great resource.”
Super Slumber Party
AmericanGirl Library
“This book is delightful. I loved the illustrations of girls in so many playful positions. I have a hard time drawing bodies that are not facing forward. This will be a good resource for drawing people from different angels.”
Drawing Animals
Designed & Illustrated By: Amanda Barlow
“What a wonderful, colorful book. This book also includes crayons and paint.”
I can Draw People
By Amanda Barlow
"Another great one by Amanda Barlow."
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