Ellen Murray's Art Blog

Interview with Illustrator Marsha Riti!

2011-08-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

An interview with a fantastic fellow illustrator and friend, Marsha Riti:

1. When and how did you become interested in children's book illustration? Have you ever worked in other genres of art?
I became interested in children's book illustration two and a half years ago when I took an illustration class from Mark Mitchell. I have worked in other media. My very favorite is ceramics, hand-thrown.

2. Which artists do you think have influenced your illustrations?
Steve Purcell, George Herriman, and Hank Ketcham.

3. What does your creative process look like from start to finish?
I think about an idea and start doing some quick sketches just to get the composition of my characters and scene down. Once the rough sketch is down I trace over it to tighten the linework. I scan the finished drawing into Photoshop and clean it up. When the sketch is where I want it to be I print it out onto watercolor paper. I stretch the drawing and then paint. Finally I scan it into Photoshop again to boost the colors and voila!

4. Why do you like to use watercolor? Can you tell me your process for stretching watercolor paper?
I like my original drawing showing though, so that's why I opted to work in watercolor primarily. However, I have been wanting to experiment with dropping color in digitally. I do stretch my paper. I really do not like how paper looks buckled. I first put my image onto the paper. Then I soak the paper in cool water, but not for too long. You want the paper to be moist all the way through but not floppy. I use 90 lb. hot press Arches so I only soak it for ten seconds max. I blot the moisture off with paper towels. Then lay it over 1/2" thick Gator Board. I staple the paper to the gator board starting in each corner then the middle, and then I fill in to where the staples are 1/2" apart. Allow to dry laying flat. Don't pull off the board until you are done.

5. Do you ever create illustrations based on your own chosen subject matter, and if so, where do you find inspiration for those ideas?
I find inspiration from premises like what if... Then I build off those ideas.

6. Is there any one resource you would recommend to someone looking to get started as a freelance illustrator for children's publications?
SCBWI, 'nuf said.

7. In honor of your illustrations in the newly published children's book, The Picky Little Witch, were you ever a picky eater?
Not especially. However, I remember really not liking runny yokes. Now I love them!

That's all! Be sure to check out Marsha's website (www.marshariti.com)!

Illustration Friday final submission

2011-05-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

After getting some feedback from a few illustrator friends, here's my final submission for Illustration Friday this week! Thanks Marsha, Amy, Dallion, and Audrey!

Illustration Friday submission

2011-05-23T16:07:00.001-07:00

Here's my first piece for Illustration Friday!

2011-04-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

Here's another pattern I made on the same theme. Instead of using shapes from my acrylic painting, these shapes were made in Adobe Illustrator.

Plant Pattern Painting!

2011-04-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

This is my latest pattern from native Texas plants. It's an acrylic painting on a 24"x 30" canvas. Enjoy!

More Native Plant Patterns....

2011-03-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

These are some designs inspired by native Texas plants that I've made. I'm going to be creating more and hopefully putting them together into a pattern.

Oak Tree Painting

2011-01-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

Cookbook

2011-01-07T12:26:00.001-08:00

I put together a cookbook of all of my grandmother's family recipes for the family Christmas present this year. The first half of the book is "good for you" recipes, and the second half contains the "bad for you" recipes.

2011-01-07T12:17:00.000-08:00

Each show that performs at the Majestic Theater in San Antonio gets the privilege to tag the backstage with their show and company name. I was asked to paint Ballet San Antonio's Nutcracker tag. I put together this design to with a winter theme to give the tag a sense of the theme of the show. For several reasons, we didn't use this one, but I had fun putting it together.

More Native Grass Patterns

2010-10-18T09:38:00.001-07:00

Here's my first attempt at turning my drawings of native Texas plants into a pattern. Thanks you Lisa for all of your encouragement and ideas.

Native Texas Grass Patterns

2010-09-21T09:49:00.001-07:00

logo designs for a snow cone stand

2010-09-14T11:36:00.001-07:00

Mayfield Park Pastel

2010-08-10T11:52:00.001-07:00

Here's a pastel of the lily ponds at Mayfield Park.

Full Moon at the Coast

2010-07-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

I had a great time with my cousins last week at the Texas coast. Here's a sketch I did while we were watching the full moon from our deck on the water.

Moth Photo Collage

2010-06-24T09:49:00.001-07:00

A moth landed on my window and stood still long enough for me to get some pictures. It was a break from normal for me to try my hand at photo collage. It's a lot of fun.

figure drawing

2010-06-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

Video Game concept art

2009-11-30T19:41:00.000-08:00

Here's a concept art piece that I created for a friend's video game. Yes, those are blimps.

My French cousin

2009-11-18T15:55:00.001-08:00

Here's a character based on my French cousin-in-law. It is his dream some day to be an accordion player.

Project for Lamar Middle School Orchestra

2009-10-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

Here's a t-shirt design that I made for the Lamar Middle School Orchestra. Their mascot is the Scottie Dog. I had fun with it. I also made silhouettes of each of the orchestra sections that will be used in a variety of ways.

2009-05-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

Here's my entry for a book that Ringling College of Art and Design is putting together this summer. The book will have 100 different images all based on the theme, waking the giants. I'm very excited to see everyone's interpretation in the finished product.

Sun Dog Snow Cone Stand characters and logo

2009-02-19T08:31:00.000-08:00

Here's the result of a job I did for a new, local sno-cone business.
I enjoyed the process and working with the client.

Scene Design

2009-02-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

If my story about Leopoldo became a play or musical, here's what Leopoldo's study would look like.

Sketch

2009-02-18T17:38:00.000-08:00

Here's one of my first drawings of Leopoldo.

Cover image for Children's Book

2008-10-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

Here's the wrap-around cover for the book about Leopoldo. The type will eventually go above Leopoldo's hand I think.

More Children's Illustrations

2008-05-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

Here are the character designs and a page of my children's book that I'm currently working on. It is called Leopoldo The Frog. The story follows Leopoldo, a frog that dearly loves to sing opera music, and his personal conflict when a new frog steals his fame away. There will be more to come soon!

2007-10-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

This is meant to accompany the fairytale, "The Light Princess," by George MacDonald.

2007-10-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

This piece is inspired by my friend Akiko. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you like it too.

post numero uno

2007-10-13T18:58:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy my artwork and my thoughts that I will post here.