New color rough for my latest book is here

EDIT: Feb 6th — Updated cover image. See initial color rough below. (I ended up keeping most of the original)

Color Rough for Please Help my Lava Monster Fall Asleep, by Jodie Hewson

This latest color rough is the perfect example of how calling something a “ROUGH” gives you the creative freedom to play around and find things you wouldn’t typically find.

I had this vision in my head for this title page for a while, and decided to try to get it out on “paper” to see what happened.

But I ended up falling in love with the crazy, loose, roughed-in textures, and wacko line work.

So much, that this is likely pretty close to where I will take a more “polished” version of this when the time comes.

I particularly love the textures across the grass, volcano, and the plants. I also love the penciled tiny flowers — and the scratchy craze of the lava monster himself.

Actually, if I’m honest, I also really love the penciled scratched moon, which feels so playful and high-character. I found this shape when redoing my dino piece, and it makes me smile everytime I notice it.

I think, along with just general refinement and polish, the only thing I want to play with on future versions is adding a 3D quality to the piece, to see if that adds any more appeal.

I’m particularly inspired by how Shape Island approaches natural elements, 3D shapes, delicious textures/colors, and general environment design. So I would love to explore that a little more myself!

“Please Help My Lava Monster Fall Asleep” is the rough title for this silly somatic book that uses all the scientifically-proven, but fun tactics I use to help my jumping-bean of a 3-yo calm down at night. It will work as a non-fiction narrative, where readers are begged by a tired volcano to help get his best friend, the lava monster, to fall asleep. Learn more here.

This is the third book in my children’s lit portfolio that I’m currently polishing up before sending them to some amazing agents this Q1. Explore all the books here, and more of my illustrations here.

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