Friday, April 04, 2008

Illustration Friday - "Save"


How do you save a crate filled with top secret stuff from the bad guys? Hop on it and slide...

I created this illustration this morning based on the Illustration Friday theme of "Save". It's another sample piece for my middle grade book portfolio.

I just finished reading Max and Maddy and the Chocolate Money Mystery by Alexander McCall Smith. This illustration is sort of inspired by a scene from that novel. In the story, there are dogs who are running alongside the children and helping the children. I thought it would add more drama to have creatures chasing them along with the bad guys so I drew it that way.

24 comments:

Unknown said...

That illustration is just adorable!!! You did a wonderful job! And you are so speedy with your illustrating!

Kathleen Rietz said...

This is great Kristi! I love her expression, and the sense of "what happens next?".

NANCY LEFKO said...

excellent illustration...you are very talented !!

Cara Carmina said...

uff your work is beautiful Kristi! congrats!!!

www.caracarmina.blogspot.com

would like to visit? is about children illustration, *bilingual*

good luck!

ps. your books are so cool! very inspirational I must say!

Cheryl said...

Wonderful story-telling as usual. Way cool.

Roberta said...

This is great! I love the expressions on their faces!
She looks like she a little more relaxed about the situation than he is.

Brine Blank said...

Great characters and really like the perspective/composition on this.

Unknown said...

I love this piece...great perspective...

Cheers,
Diana

Eli said...

Looks fun!

Anonymous said...

great, I like the black&white style! I loved adventure storys as a kid and these illustrations just start a whole story in my mind!

c.g.young said...

Kristi,
Fantastick style...It's unique, fun and inspiring. Love the black and white. Wonderful art and a great site.
thanks for sharing :)

-c.g.young

tusen said...

Great scene and I also like the fact that it's black and white.
It looks like the girl is enjoying the ride, despite the chase.

Anonymous said...

fantastic scene! lots of action

Anonymous said...

Wow you drew this only this morning! I am impressed. Love the kids expressions and the bad guys and the dogs in the background chasing after them. You did a wonderful job!

Ru said...

Very pretty illustration!

Anonymous said...

Nice drawing, with a great sense of adventure. Perfect for middle grade...
xoxo
teri

timafli said...

This is a nice illustration and portray a very exciting moment. Cool.

Unknown said...

Amazing stuff! You draw kids incredibly well.

Ratlion said...

Very cool illo! Brings to mind all the Enid Blyton books (The Famous Five,The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers etc.)I loved as a kid :)

Kristi Valiant said...

Thanks for all your comments! I love hearing what parts of an illustration draw the most attention.

Anonymous said...

I love that the girl is the confident one in this scenario. She's keeping her cool under pressure. I wish there had been more girl heros when I was growing up.

Your characters are wonderfully expressive and, of course, beautifully illustrated. Love the one for "Leap" as well. The lighting is brilliant.

Anonymous said...

this is faboo! how did i miss this last week?

a : )

Anonymous said...

What andi said... not sure how I missed this one. I like the flow of the mountain and the path. Also the look on the boy's face and the shadowy figures in the distance create great suspense. Excellent.

oliver said...

I really liked these characters.
And the black and white drawing is excellent.
I'm browsing your blog.