How To: Pacifier Illustration

I was talking to my friend Kevin recently about some interesting things to add to the blog here. He suggested maybe a step by step process of one of my baby designs. So, here we go. I had an idea the other day for a new illustration to add to my line of childish tattoo style kids designs... a pacifier with clip attached turning into the text banner. So, I'm going to throw this thing together with a basic step by step. 

First: brew up a nice cup of tea and clean up the pump and parts off of your space that your wife has left behind, as she had to rush and get your daughter into bed.

Next: I usually use a lighter colored pencil to do very rough sketch (in this instance pink) then add slightly more definitive lines with a pencil.

Next: Trace out lines that you want to keep on tracing paper with an art pen. I decided not to keep the rose or the embellishment scrollwork. I'll draw something in illustrator later.

Next: Scan the traced image, to get into the digital world.

Next: In illustrator, make the original sketch transparency around 50% and redraw the lines and shapes, fix curves to make it tight and smooooooth.

Next: Finish up shapes and color. I drew some rough stars in the background for texture. I think I may redo this... but you get the idea.

Last: Go to bed and cuddle your wife and baby... it's 12:30am and you are writing a blog! (I guess this last step is mostly directed at me)

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Stacked to the Chin With Prints

Today I got in 4 of the first baby design. Pretty happy with they way they turned out. I got different color onesies and rompers of each design. The stack came up to Addy's chin.

I had to spread them out on the couch and step back, it almost looked like a baby store.

 I made a quick label for the weekend

 I'm trying to figure out which I like the most. Design wise, I'm really happy with the "Babes in Troyland design. (not shown, but can be seen here) It probably doesn't make sense to you, it's a local thing, and you are way over there.

I will be at the River Street Fest in Troy NY selling these, some new shirts and hoodies for Moms and Dads, and artwork, if anyone wants to stop by and make my day. I'm going to have a new store up soon, so be on the lookout. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Please use the link below to vote for me on Top Baby Blogs, Dad's need votes too! : )

Finally got them ordered

Today, after stressing the details, and trying to narrow down what colors, what sizes, what styles, what, what, what... I finally put my first order in for my line of onesies and rompers for babies. This weekend I will be selling them at the River Street Fest in Troy, NY if you are around : ) I am hoping to get them up online for sale next week, along with Anchor No. 5 boutique. They should be in by the end of the week. I spent a lot of time sketching, it's going to be cool to see some of the designs come to life and modeled on Addy, I'll get some photos up of the final product as soon as they come in.

Please use the link below to vote for me on Top Baby Blogs, I appreciate it.

Help Me Choose.

I'm working on my new kids line of merch, but there are too many possibilities. This is the first 4 designs (more about illustrating them here), I'm not sure what colors and what styles to start with. Please leave me a comment with your top 3. I have a store that is going to be carrying them, along with my own online store that I'm started... and, if you are in Troy NY, anytime this summer you can stop by Tight Knit and I'll have a table. You can click on the images to see them a little bigger (sorry for the stupid watermarks, I don't want people to steal them before I get a chance to use them).

So far, Addy and Mommy Like...

Please use the link below to vote for me on Top Baby Blogs, I appreciate it.

Up Past Daddy's Bedtime

Rachel and Addy have gone to sleep, it's time for Daddy to make a mess...

I really need to get a good lamp for my work area, I tend to be most focused (and have more time) later in the night, but If there are too many lights on it makes it hard for Addy to get in a deep sleep. I have been working on some more illustrated designs, and had an idea of a new way to present the images...

I did the illustration, colored it and cut it out with an exacto. Then on a painted piece of wood, I used decoupage to finish it... in very low light. It is the first draft of the idea, but I think I can work with the new style. The following day I used some of wife's ribbon to set up some cute edges (not pictured). There is a great downtown shop, called Anchor No. 5, that carries stuff that I make, I drove down today and did a drop off of the 4 new kids oriented pieces along with some shirts and hoodies that I had left from the last market season. I'm going to stop down to the shop tomorrow after the farmers market and get some photos of the final product on display. Be on the lookout for that.

Please use the link below to vote for me on Top Baby Blogs, I appreciate it.

A Little Giveaway, from Me

***special note, I switched my commenting system, for now the old comments aren't showing, but I have them still for the giveaway, don't fret : ) I will be drawing soon, last chance to get in (with the new commenting system)***
I've been working on designs for some kids shirts and onesies that I'm going to be selling soon at the summer market (and online). I was messing around today and decided to to a little sketch version of the design... and why not at the end have a little fun giveaway. Let me give you a little time line in pictures before I give you the giveaway info...
While Mommy was sitting on the couch holding Addy while she napped, I sat down at my newly set up drafting spot and decided to try this out. I started to do a sketch version of a new kids shirt I designed.

I got the sketch done and inked it. (didn't do the text yet, that will come later)

I tried to color inside the lines (hehe), I need to practice this, I'm going to have to be a good example for Addy in a couple of years.

After some pointers from Rachel, I Got everything colored and looking cute, so I decided to make it legit... and signed it.

Addy woke up, I decided to show her to see what she thought.

She said... "I like it Daddy, it would look great in the bathroom, by why not give it away to one of your readers?"... This child is kind and wise beyond her years. SO, Leave a comment below AND/OR tweet this line to be entered to win it (yes with the frame).

@addydaddyblog is doing a cute giveaway, check it out www.adelinesdaddy.com/

(if you do both, you will be entered twice)

You can Enter up to 2:00pm on Tuesday.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday night.

Refrigerator Van Gogh

     I can't wait to see the art that Adeline creates and to proudly display it on our refrigerator... I mean have it framed and hung in our den above the fireplace. I barely make time to create artwork anymore. It seems that as we grow we either lose the desire to create or get discouraged with our ability. Kids don't even consider this, give them a piece of paper (or a wall behind the chair) and a crayon and they are the most imaginative and creative artist around. I'm going to be teaching her so much in life, but I guess at the same time I may be learning (or re-learning) some things from her as well.