One of the most exciting (and, let’s be honest, scariest) things when you’re a picture book writer is for your editor to say, “I have sketches!” It’s that moment when you see how’someone you don’t know (usually) has envisioned the words you struggled with into a book. Will the artist have surpassed anything you could have imagines? Or will your heart sink when you see something you don’t think works? But when I got that email yesterday from Carol Hinz, my Millbrook editor, 
there was no fear involved. That’s because she sent me the sketches that Violeta Dabija has done for Water Can Be…, my 2014 follow-up to A Leaf Can Be…. The art for Leaf is absolutely stunning, so there was only excitement! These are just black and white pencil sketches, but I’m picturing them in my head with her glorious color washes and textures. I’m printing the sketches out right now and I can’t wait to pore over them!
14 Responses
What a tease! No sneak peek? I just adore Violeta’s work on “Leaf” and just can’t wait to see what is to come. Enjoy your sketches!
I’m actually going to ask the editor if I can share at least a snippet of a sketch, just to share the process a bit. No idea what Millbrook’s policy on that is. But I’m hoping to be able to share something soon:>)
What a tease! No sneak peek? I just adore Violeta’s work on “Leaf” and just can’t wait to see what is to come. Enjoy your sketches!
I’m actually going to ask the editor if I can share at least a snippet of a sketch, just to share the process a bit. No idea what Millbrook’s policy on that is. But I’m hoping to be able to share something soon:>)
So happy to hear that you have a ‘sequel’ to the wonderful A Leaf Can Be, which I love, Laura. Very fun to hear about. Hope you can share sometime!
Thanks, Linda! I hope I can share a sketch or two as well (see my answer below).
So happy to hear that you have a ‘sequel’ to the wonderful A Leaf Can Be, which I love, Laura. Very fun to hear about. Hope you can share sometime!
Thanks, Linda! I hope I can share a sketch or two as well (see my answer below).
How wonderful! I loved her pictures (and your words!) in “A Leaf Can Be…”. Can’t wait to see how your new book turns out!
Thanks, Janelle! I couldn’t have been happier that Violeta agreed to do another book! She creates magic.
How wonderful! I loved her pictures (and your words!) in “A Leaf Can Be…”. Can’t wait to see how your new book turns out!
Thanks, Janelle! I couldn’t have been happier that Violeta agreed to do another book! She creates magic.
Can’t wait…but I guess I have to…
Can’t wait…but I guess I have to…