The Deep, Dark Forest

Just a quick hello to all my friends (and bitter enemies) out there.  I know I haven't posted in a while.  I've been fairly busy writing and illustrating.  In fact, I want to take a minute and share with you my latest project.

As most of you probably know by now, I am a big fan of fairy tales, folklore and ghost stories.  I thought it'd be fun to mix those genres together and come up with one big collection of fun, spooky, fantasy/fairy tale stories.

The ten stories are already completed (it only took a couple decades to complete), and I've already begun illustrating.
                                                       

I reckon this project will take me about a year to complete, and I hope to have it published by Halloween 2018.  

Meanwhile, I need your feedback.  I'm still trying to think of a good title for this collection of stories.  I've been thinking "The Deep, Dark Forest" would be a good title.  What are your thoughts?  Like it?  Not so much?  Let me here from you all in the comments section.  Thank you!!

Here's one of my latest large scale paintings, done with acrylics.  If you haven't already, please subscribe to my YouTube channel.  I have lots more fun videos coming in the near future.

Illustrating for Children: The Wonderful World of Nursery Rhymes

For my own pleasure, I've decided to illustrate a book of beloved nursery rhymes for children.  This will be a long process as there are so many good nursery rhymes, so I'll work on it at my leisure in between paying jobs.

Here is the process for the illustration of one of my favorites, "There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe."

First, I sketched my basic idea using pencil and paper.  I then scanned my pencil drawing to my laptop, and began the painting process.  When I paint digitally, I operate the same way I would with conventional paints: I begin with the background and work my way forward.

And finally, the finished product!  Now just 199 nursery rhymes to go!

Firebird and Eagle: The Reason I became an Artist

I just finished this tribute painting for Eric Kincaid, the artist who inspired me from a very young age to become an artist/illustrator.  This painting is from the back cover of his and Lucy Kincaid's book: Wizards, Giants, Trolls and Magic, published by Brimax Books in 1980.

That book, along with it's counterpart, Witches, Goblins, Ogres and Fantasy, shaped my life from the age of 5, when my dear mother surprised me with them.  Both books are a retelling of European folktales, and every page is lavished with Eric Kincaid's masterful artwork.

I owe a great debt of gratitude to Mr. Kincaid.  I've tried several times to reach him by email through his website, just to tell him how much I appreciate his contribution to literature and art, but unfortunately, I haven't heard back from him.  It's not surprising; he is apparently still very active and busy as an artist.

So, Eric Kincaid, if you should ever happen upon this blog post, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

You can see more of Eric Kincaid's amazing art here: http://www.erickincaid.com/

www.bradwsimpson.com

Grand Opening of my New Website. Check it out!

I'm pleased to announce the opening of my brand new website: www.bradwsimpson.com

Please visit and let me know what you think.  I've added a ton of new illustrations.

Check it out here www.bradwsimpson.com

How to Paint Fantasy Art

For me, and probably many artists, painting a picture is like a study in layers.  I almost always start with a basic sketch, usually not very detailed, of the painting I'd like to do.  I start with very basic ideas, but I allow my ideas to evolve as the illustrating process goes on.

If you look at my original basic sketch of this painting I just finished of a Barbarian Woman riding a grizzly, you see my original idea was to have the woman  in a very different pose.  But once I finished most of the background and added a few colors to the woman, I decided I didn't like her pose because it didn't look natural.  Therefore, I colored over it and did another very loose color sketch of a woman in a different pose.  In fact, I tried several poses before I finally landed on one I like.

Never be afraid to change a picture for the better, even if you've already put a lot of work into your picture.  I once scrapped a children's book I had worked on for months, just because I thought the main character didn't resemble herself enough throughout the book.  That was a painful decision, but one I don't regret.  I knew I would never feel comfortable publishing work that I hadn't put my very best into.

Remember, your audience, no matter what age, will appreciate your hard work and attention to detail.

Autumn Barn

Well, autumn is right around the corner, so in honor of that great season, I've painted a country barn scene.  This painting kind of reminds me of East Texas where I grew up, and where I return every chance I get.