How a drawing progresses Stage 3

Almost there...

Now using a special bit of photoshop trickery (I basically treat photoshop like a screen printing process) I layer up and select textures and images and start to colour it, I overlay shadows too. It takes me a few days to get it right and I don't stop tweaking colours and textures until I'm completely happy with the way it looks.

How a drawing progresses Stage 2

This is where I have lots of fun creating textures, I also have chosen certain elements of the image which I want to stand out (like the hut and the fox characters in this one) I paint these using water colours.

How a drawing progresses Stage 1 (ish)

In the next few posts I'll be posting various stages of how I build up an image.

So this is stage 1, just the black and white line. Usually the characters would be on separate layers in photoshop so I can move them around. I've made a few mistakes when drawing this, so it's already been through one stage of editing. However, it will need more editing along the way.

This is from a new book idea (see older blog posts for other image ideas from this book)

Next stage paint and textures... I'll be doing those next week so check my blog out again at the end of next week.

Hay Festival Pics

I was at Hay for the entire bank holiday weekend. It was great to see my sheep everywhere! Not only did I get to see meet some celebrity authors and illustrators but I also got to draw on the windows! Here are a few pics (mainly from the event I did with Sean Taylor) What FUN! - more to follow soon... PS HOW impressed was I with those 'glitter disco sheep' being made by the kids in my first event?- VERY!!

A cat too!

All these animals are from new cover artwork I'm working on for a pair of chapter books.

and... A German Shepherd

This one looks a bit like Loti my Mother in Law's dog- except Loti would be a big blur, as she can't stay still!

Rat

Bats in hats

Yup, the title says it all

Hay Festival Sheepy merchandise

Look at these lovely items that will be available for sale at Hay Festival this year! They are happily adorned with my sheep illustrations. (Apron, pencil case, cloth bag)

As well as these items, there will be t-shirts, mugs and notepads.

Watch Sleep Sheep Bedtime Story on iplayer

You can watch The Sleep Sheep being read by Liza Tarbuck here on iplayer:

Watch Now

Enjoy! I thought Liza did an excellent job reading, shame I can't bring her along to my events and just get her to read it instead!

Catch the Sleep Sheep on Cbeebies!

• The Sleep Sheep will be read on CBeebies Book at Bedtime by Liza Tarbuck, Wednesday 11th May between 6 & 7pm.

Don't miss it! I'll be uploading an iplayer link soon!

School for Bandits picture book preview (with sound)

For the more discerning viewer! This now comes with a soundtrack...

(I did the "Uh?" and the "Whee!" myself!)

School for Bandits preview NEW

This higher res version works lovely jubbly!

£5.99 for a paperback copy... go on, go on, go on!

My experimental animation for School for Bandits

This works better! Sorry no sound (don't know how to do that yet?!)

Casper Candlewacks arrives!

I thought you'd all like to know about this hilarious new book I've illustrated for the very talented Ivan Brett.

It's out TODAY, wayhey! I had lots of fun drawing silly pigeons.

Find out more at www.caspercandlewacks.com

Where to see me this Summer! Events and Festivals...

http://hannahshawillustrator.co.uk/?news/2011/04/23/festival-events-coming-up-where-to-meet-me-this-summer-.html

Happy Easter!

And what better way to celebrate, with a traditional picture of foxes flying! (not flying foxes, those are something different- although equally as lovely)

So try not to eat too much chocolate (who am I kidding?!) and keep your easter eggs in the fridge or they will melt in this unseasonably warm weather!

I ♥ Sheep!

This is a photo to prove that sheep and I go back a long way! I'm sure this mini sheep wasn't too happy about being hugged oh-so-tight but I was certainly loving it! My sheep inspired Hay festival illustrations will be coming out very soon in the Telegraph Hay Fever Guide.

Baa!

Next Event: Signing and Stories at Octavia's Bookshop Cirencester

http://www.octaviasbookshop.co.uk/

I'll be reading and signing all of my books here on Saturday the 9th of April from 10-12.

Come along and listen to stories and join in the fun.

Octavia's Bookshop is a BRAND NEW children's specialist bookshop at 24 Black Jack St, Cirencester.

Run by experienced and passionate bookseller Octavia, I highly recommend that you pop in for a browse- she has transformed the shop into a fantastic family friendly space! I loved the magical decor too!

Super Granny Fox!

Story & Drawing Workshop at By Local Shop, Cheltenham.

Saturday 12th March 2011
From 12.30 onwards.

I will be reading some of my stories, signing books and encouraging youngsters to get drawing!
This is a free event for kids aged 3 -11.
Hope to see you there…

Contact information

By Local, Unit 1A, The Regent Arcade, The high Street, Cheltenham
Email bylocal.gloucestershire@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07539397360

Max and Molly's Guide to Trouble!

This fab book I've illustrated is first in the series of Max and Molly's Guide to Trouble by Dominic Barker. It has been nominated for Richard and Judy's Book Club- See here for more info

Hay Sheep

Wow! So much news!

As 2011 gets going, things are starting to get exciting! There is so much to look forward to ...

I'll be doing a number of Library visits in support of Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries to support the campaign against the 43% cuts to the Library service. See http://foclibrary.wordpress.com for further info and PLEASE sign the petition!

If you want to come along and join in my kids events at Hester's Way in Cheltenham (Morning approx 10:30am - 11:30pm) and Stroud Library (Afternoon from around 2:00pm) I'll be helping to make "Why I love the Library" posters. Come along and design a fab, colourful poster.

I've got events already confirmed at a number of Schools during World Book Day week and if you are a school and would like me to visit around that time, I do have days available at the moment for the week after (7th March onwards). Please book soon!

I've also got events planned for Birmingham Young Readers in May as well as two book events at HAY FESTIVAL on the 28th of May.

This year I am the official illustrator for Hay Festival and I've been working on some rather sheepy designs for the programme! See my next post.

I will also be appearing at Bath Kids Lit Fest in the autumn.

Book wise, ERROLL has been shortlisted for the Portsmouth Children's book prize.

It's always great to be on a prize shortlist that is voted for by children. I face some stiff competition from the likes of Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks, Angela McAllister & Alex T. Smith and Charlotte Middleton.

If any teachers would like to arrange for pupils to write to me, they can request my address by email : hannah@hannahshawillustrator.co.uk I always love to hear from young readers and artists.

Books being published 2011:

The Grizzly Bear with Frizzly Hair by Sean Taylor(Frances Lincoln, Spring 2011)

The Great Cat Conspiracy by Katie Davies (Simon and Schuster, Spring 2011)

Max and Molly's Guide to Trouble: How to Catch a Criminal by Dominic Barker (Orchard, Spring 2011)

Casper Candlewacks in Death By Pigeon by Ivan Brett (Harper Collins, Late Spring 2011)

Last but not least -School For Bandits (Random House, August 2011)

Finally, I'm designing a NEW look website, which should be completed before the spring.

Check www.hannahshawillustrator.co.uk for updates. The new site should be more compatible with iphones and easier to navigate.

Now... here's some lovely Hay Fever sheep as promised.

Hannah

Happy Holidays!

*Happy Christmas to all!*

2010 has been a fantastically busy year and I'm not stopping...

There will be some lovely new Hannah Shaw picture and chapter books out in 2011, I'll be informing you of publication dates soon.

Thanks to everyone who enjoys my books, stories and drawings- Here is a 'deer little picture' just for you!

School Visits booked for November 2010

Tuesday 2nd November

Eastcombe Primary School - Stroud.

Book signing after school.

Friday 12th November

Cranbrook Primary School - Ilford, Essex

Book signing after school with the Children's Bookshop Muswell Hill providing books for sale.

www.childrensbookshoplondon.com

Fox vs Hare

Some Aesopian inspired characters...

The Evelina Children's Hospital (Guy's and St Thomas' Charity) Dog Project

Here is my canvas for the Guy's & St Thomas' Charity, Evelina Dog Project which will be auctioned to save money for the Evalina Children's Hospital.

The canvas came printed with the child's drawing of the central dog which I decided would look funny if it was being painted by dogs.

Click here to watch a video of the hospital

Find out more at

http://www.dogproject.co.uk/

Yoga wolf

From a new Sean Taylor picture book I'm illustrating.

Rabbit Rescue - out now!

The sequel to The Great Hamster Massacre - The Great Rabbit Rescue, is out in shops now.

It is as funny as the first one, hence I spent lots of time laughing at the story whilst doing the illustrations. I enjoyed drawing the big scary rabbit best of all. As someone who only owned (rather stupid) guinea-pigs as a child, the story convinced me that I was probably quite lucky to miss out on the perils of caring for a rabbit!

Blurb:

Joe has gone to live with his dad, leaving behind his beloved pet rabbit. Anna and Suzanne try to look after it for him, but when the rabbit becomes ill, they're convinced it's because it's missing Joe. Now Joe is sick too. The girls are certain that Joe and the rabbit will die unless they are reunited soon...But can Anna and Tom and Suzanne pull off The Great Rabbit Rescue in time?

Ratina and Pip

A cheeky pair of ship's rats.

FESTIVAL EVENTS coming up soon! Don't miss out!

Monday 27th September

Come see me at BATH KID'S LITERARY FESTIVAL

Artists At Work: Michael Foreman, Charlotte Voake & Hannah Shaw

EVENT NOW CANCELLED SORRY.

Saturday 10th October

Meet me at CHELTENHAM LITERARY FESTIVAL

SLEEP SHEEP!

11:30am – 12:15pm Age 4-6 St Andrews Church

Join author and illustrator Hannah Shaw for an event of a very sheepish kind. She will read from her new illustrated book, 'The Sleep Sheep' and do live drawing too! Best of all, you get to make your very own sheep to take home!

http://cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/

The letter C

A cheesy C for an Alphabet Wall!

This will be displayed at a new story centre in Essex.

More info to follow soon at www.writeaway.org.uk

Shifty looking cat

Watch out for future drawings of this cat!

Exciting new book under way.

New promotional postcard

FrontBack

New Event in Cheltenham coming up!

The event is at By Local Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1JZ.

By Local is a shop which sells lovely ethical local products handmade by local people.

They will be celebrating their 1st birthday and I will be at the promotional event doing story-telling and helping you make a sheep!

Sunday 18th July 12:00 and then again at 2:00.

See you there!

Ship's Rat

I've always wanted to write a nautical themed picture book. A ship's rat called Ratina is a new character idea of mine. Here's a sketch of her:

The Spoon of Doom

This funny, sticky porridge adventure with my illustrations will be soon available to buy from June 2010.

Click here to Preorder

EVENTS Coming Up...

Thursday 20th May: Rhodes Avenue Primary School. I will be signing books from The Children's Bookshop Muswell Hill (http://www.childrensbookshoplondon.com/) at the school after 3:30pm.

Saturday 29th May: Waterstone's Bath special Sleep Sheep Event- tickets / info available from the store. 3:00-4:00pm http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb

Wednesday 16th June 2pm: Event at Eagle House School Children's literary festival http://www.eaglehouseschool.com/childrens-literature-festival-marquee.htm

Wednesday 7th July at the Millennium Hall in Buckden, I'll be presenting the next winner of the Cambridgeshire Picture book Award "Read it Again", I'll also be signing books.

September 27th September: Bath Festival event, more details to follow.

Wayhey! New fun 'Design a Sheep' worksheet

This will be uploaded on my website soon... but in the meantime you can print it off it here for maximum baa-tastic sheepy fun.

The Sleep Sheep - Publishers Weekly review

This winning bedtime book celebrates a child's imagination. When her frustrated mother suggests that she count sheep to fall asleep, Sylvie quickly imagines "hundreds and hundreds of sheep," but they are a wily flock. Shaw's (Evil Weasel) witty pen and ink drawings are chockablock with charismatic sheep "rumbaaa-ing," skateboarding, and otherwise milling about, none of which helps Sylvie count them ("Hey, sheep," she says, "you're really exasperating"). Sylvie follows the sheep to the beach where they play cards, read storybooks, arrange flowers, play board games, and finally fall asleep, at which point Sylvie is able to count them and fall asleep herself. The sheep--who, it turns out, clearly know what they're doing--tiptoe away and sail off aboard "The Dream Boat" ("I thought she'd never nod off!"). McQuinn's (Lola at the Library) clever conceit is expanded considerably by the comic details that fill every spread (the sheep's apparel is wonderfully diverse, especially at the beach, where they don "trunks and bikinis, suntan lotion and snorkeling goggles"). The gentle adventure blends seamlessly into the calming bedtime-ready ending. Ages 3–6. (May)

Link: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/reviews/childrens.html