Work in progress...

I've just finished doing the first very rough roughs for the book I'm working on at the moment, The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate by Joy Cowley. At this stage, all I've really done is work out what goes on which page and how the action will develop - the drawings are still pretty horrible. But I find it really useful to do the roughs of each spread at the actual size that the finished book will be, and to blu-tack all the spreads to the wall so I can see the entire story at a glance. So here is my wall... it's hell on the paintwork!

Comments

[Angela Sunde]

Hi Sarah,
I just enjoyed the interview you did for the SCBWI e-bulletin, especially the story about your grandmother's apron. Perhaps that might be your own picture book. The other reason I'm writing is because you said you had illustrator's block for 15 years after leaving high school. That really resonated with me. Only my block lasted much longer. I am only now beginning to realise my childhood dream of illustrating and I am excited and terrified at the same time. Did you grow up in Auckland? I did. As yet I don't have a website, but you can see my blog at http://angelasunde.blogspot.com with some of my work.
The artwork on your website is beautiful. I'm off now to browse through it some more.
Best wishes to you
Angela Sunde

[Danielle]

I do the same thing! I like to be able to glance up at the pages to see how things flow, and it also helps me to keep the look of the characters consistent. Your work is just stunning and I agree with some of the kids comments - they look like photographs!