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The Prince and the Dressmaker
My aim is to review one book every week. I will be doing a lot of picture books, because I usually have time to read a few of those. I’m only going to be talking about books I like. I’m also going to try to stick with books written in the past couple of years. I read “The Prince and the Dressmaker” by Jen Wang, and it gave me the push I needed to start reviewing books. This book just happens to be an awesome graphic novel!
This is my first step into doing book reviews, and I hope I almost had the text done for this post before I said anything about the actual story. I also realize that I sent this out without any images. I’m a bit new at this so stop judging me!
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Story
Not long after Frances is offered a job by a secret patron who turns out to be the prince. Sebastian (the prince) wants Frances to make dresses for him. What happens next is a wonderful journey of self discovery for the both of them.
The story starts with Frances a dressmaker. What I love about Frances is that she seems to look into people’s souls and knows how to make dresses that are perfectly them. She quickly gets into trouble by making the perfect scandalous dress for a Lady.
It is a roller coaster of feelings throughout the story. All the bad things that can happen, do happen! There is so much nice in the book that it all balances out in the end.
Art
The Prince and the Dressmaker has everything 7 year old me loved when deciding adult me would become a fashion designer. That obviously never happened. (I didn’t even try, but I know I’d be an awesome fashion designer.)
There are so many beautiful frilly dresses in this book! I love them all but my favorites are Lady Sophia Rohan’s dress (page 12), The first dress she makes for Sebastian/Lady Crystallia (page 50) and the magical dress (page 266).
Jen’s whimsical art style is absolutely perfect. I don’t know that I would change anything. Well I would want a second book, or just another book with Jen creating dresses! I adore everything about this book and will be looking for more books by Jen Wang in the future!
Get the Book
Buy the Book: https://www.powells.com/book/the-prince-and-the-dressmaker-9781626723634
Jen Wang’s Website: http://jenwang.net/
More about the book: http://jenwang.net/archives/939
If you can’t afford to buy this book consider leaving a review or requesting your library buy this book!
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Smart Dummies is Coming Soon!
This year Smart Dummies is going to be a bit different. My year has had a lot of unexpected twists and turns. My options were either to skip the year, delay it (which caused problems last time), or rethink the event.
The more I thought about it the more I realized that it might be a good idea to change up Smart Dummies a bit. The changes that will be happening this year may or may not be a permanent change.
This year I’d like Smart Dummies to be more community oriented. I’d like to be able to spend more time with the community and for us to help out eachother.
Over the next week I’m going to gather some people who are willing to show some process posts about their work. These can be old posts you’ve already made, and hosted either on this blog or your own. Below is a copy of the post I made in the Smart Dummies group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/548159692008535/
Contact me below, using my contact form, or DM me on social media if you are interested:
Looking for people who have a technique or process they’d like to share. Your post about this does not have to be on my blog (but it can be). It can be something from an old post of yours. Here are some of the subjects I’m looking for, but it doesn’t have to be limited to these:- Turning Public Domain Stories into Picture Books
- Marking up a Script for Illustration
- Researching Images
- Doodling
- Character Design
- Character Emotions
- Thumbnails
- Loose Page Drafts
- Preparing Substrates (traditional artists)
- Any Posts About Technique
- Anything Else to do with Art or Dummies
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Sneak Attack!
I’m working on adding lighting and more color to my work. It’s still a bit messy now but it’s getting there. I don’t have the text here, but it’s “Sneak Attack!” this image comes after the image in the last post http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/the-beginning-of-something-kitty/
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The Beginning of Something Kitty
I’ve been working on some new images for my portfolio. This is part of a 6 page comic. It’s the upper right hand corner of the 3rd page. I’m not sure which program I’m going to use to make the font for this. Right now it’s just hand drawn and not quite right. Looking into options now. Hopefully I’ll have more art to share soon. I’m off to work on some values for this art!
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Dough Nuts – Kidlit Collage Final
I think I’m done for this week! I think I got all the shading right. Let me know if you see anything I’ve missed!
Want to join me and Christy Ann (@christyillustrates on Instagram) in Kidlit Collage? There is no sign up! Just post your image on Instagram (and other social media) and tag #kidlitcollage. That way we can see your work! This month’s theme is donuts!
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Dough Nuts – Kidlit Collage Color
Flat coloring today and text isn’t so rushed. I think I’ll adjust the background color and the text a bit in the final. Oh maybe even make the mom squirrel’s mouth more like a mouth. Created in in Clip Studio paint. Let me know if you have questions about how I made this!
Want to join me and Christy Ann (@christyillustrates on Instagram) in Kidlit Collage? There is no sign up! Just post your image on Instagram (and other social media) and tag #kidlitcollage. That way we can see your work! This month’s theme is donuts!
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Dough Nuts – Kidlit Collage Inks
I’m still working on this image a bit, but this is my June Kidlit Collage! I’m going to fix up the inks for next week and create some flat colors. Will be aiming to get this done in 3 weeks instead of 4, because I missed last Monday. Fingers crossed I get it done!
Want to join me and Christy Ann (@christyillustrates on Instagram) in Kidlit Collage? There is no sign up! Just post your image on Instagram (and other social media) and tag #kidlitcollage. That way we can see your work! This month’s theme is donuts!
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Spring into Writing Winners!
Is anyone else sad that Spring into Writing is over? I’m sad! Also happy because I can move on to other things!
Have 3 minutes to fill out a survey about Spring into Writing? https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P2R5B9Q
Want to help out with Spring into Writing? Donate: https://www.patreon.com/SmartDummies
Or on Kofi: ko-fi.com/daniduck
Prizes:
Donated by Becky Aren’t “The Coloring Book for Writers” by
Linda Faulkerson.The winner is: DEBRA M DAUGHERTY!
Melissa Stoller donated 3 books and the winners are:
The Enchanted Snow Globe — BECKY AREN’T
The Magic Paintbrush — LAURI MEYERS
Ready, Set, Gorilla! — LAURA HARTMAN
Congratulations everyone!
How you can help out Spring into Writing:
If you’ve enjoyed this event please consider helping me out. The easiest ways is commenting on posts and filling out the survey I’m going to post next week.
I am looking for people to help me figure out some things for Spring into Writing and Smart Dummies. If you want to help please let me know!
Please Donate:
If you liked the Spring into Writing event please consider a donation. This website costs a good amount of money to keep going, and
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Spring into Writing Finish Line
Spring into Writing is unfortunately done for this year. Well the actual event is over, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop having fun with our writing. There are some things I didn’t find time to talk about for the event and I fully plan on talking about them throughout the year. I will be announcing winners soon so you still have a little time to go back and comment on the posts you’ve missed. I hope you’ve enjoyed Spring into Writing! Let me know below what you’ve achieved this month.
I will be taking down the booklet at the end of this month, so download it now here: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/spring-into-writing/
How you can help out Spring into Writing:
If you’ve enjoyed this event please consider helping me out. The easiest ways is commenting on posts and filling out the survey I’m going to post next week.
I am looking for people to help me figure out some things for Spring into Writing and Smart Dummies. If you want to help please let me know!
Please Donate:
If you liked the Spring into Writing event please consider a donation. This website costs a good amount of money to keep going. It also takes a lot of time to make the booklets for these events. I want to keep the downloads free for everyone. If you are able please consider donating:
https://www.patreon.com/SmartDummies (There are levels where you can get booklets sent to you every year).
One time donations: https://ko-fi.com/A484NS9
Thank you all for being a part of
Spring into Writing 2019!
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Picture Book Inspiration Julie Hedlund — Plus a Prize!
Julie Hedlund is just fantastic. She not only creates picture books but she has some wonderful programs to help writers to create their picture books. I have met most of my current critique group members (for both writing and illustration) though her 12×12 event. The 12×12 is a year long challenge that helps picture book creators to write 12 manuscripts in 12 months. On top of this she has helped create the Picture Book Submission System (which I have and it’s wonderful) and the Picture Book Summit!
Julie Hedlund’s 12×12: http://12x12challenge.com/
Dani Duck: What’s one thing that all writers should do?
Julie Hedlund: Write. And write and write and write and write and write. Yes, there are plenty of other things that will help you become a better writer (reading, taking classes, etc.), but the only way to truly improve and hone your voice is to write. A lot.
Dani: How does the 12×12 help picture book creators?
Julie: Speaking of the advice above to write,12 x 12 is a place that provides accountability to get the writing done by setting the goal of completing one picture book draft per month. It’s also where accountability meets massive amounts of support. There’s a Facebook group to get questions answered immediately, a Forum to get feedback on manuscripts, and monthly webinars to both inspire and inform.
Dani: What’s your favorite thing about the 12×12?
Julie: The members! It’s amazing to be surrounded by such lovely, generous, talented people who are on the same journey. Their energy keeps me going through my own writing slumps.
Dani: How is the Picture Book Submission system different than other courses out there?
Julie: The Complete Picture Book Submission System is the only step-by-step, soup-to-nuts guide to crafting standout picture book submissions. Picture books are a unique format that require different things in submissions than do longer, un-illustrated works. Everything in the System is specific to picture books – how to format different types, how to use art notes, finding agents who represent PBs, finding picture book specific comp titles, etc.
Dani: Why should people take part in the Picture Book Summit?
Julie: It’s a blast! Seriously, though, it’s the only full-day conference of its caliber I know of that is entirely online (saving travel costs and time away from home), It includes submission opportunities AND gives you access to the replays from the entire conference for a full four months afterward. You don’t even have to attend live and you still get everything. Plus we have dance parties. How do we do that online? Join us and find out! 😉
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Follow Julie:
12×12 Challenge website & blog: http://12x12challenge.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieFHedlund
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieFHedlund
Website: http://www.juliehedlund.com/
The Complete Picture Book Submission System: https://picturebooksubmissions.com/
Picture Book Summit: http://picturebooksummit.com/
My Love For You is the Sun: https://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Sun-Julie-Hedlund/dp/0989668835/r
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Prize @%@%@%@%@%
One lucky winner will win a copy of “The Coloring Book for Writers” by
Linda Faulkerson! This prize is generously donated by Becky Aren’t!To win this prize:
Tell Julie how you liked her post in a comment.
Also be sure to thank Becky for this prize in your comment!
