Explore Native Americans - Intro & Chapter One


I just finished my first batch of black & white pieces for the new book in the EXPLORE! series with Nomad Press about Native Americans. I have to say the one thing I'm loving about working in educational illustration is the fact that I'm actually learning, too! This first batch includes the title page, the introduction and first chapter about the Northeast Woodland Native Americans.
Every bit of this subject is so interesting I find myself diving so far into the research end of the process that it's hard to come back out!
So here's a little taste of the more than 20 illustrations I've done so far for the book. The art director had mentioned they really liked the black & white line work on my website, but the book called for a greyscale look. Since I prefer painting over working digitally, I just added a little shading with some light washes to create the needed look.

This is only the beginning...there are 5 more chapters to go!


Comments

Rena J. Traxel said…
Beautiful! Keep up the good work.
February 28, 2012 at 5:30 PM
JenKellerArt said…
Thanks everybody! I'm glad you guys like them...!!
February 29, 2012 at 8:39 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Native Americans of the South - East & West

Image
I'm still plugging along on the educational book, Explore Native Americans! for Nomad Press.  I recently finished the 2nd & 3rd Chapters covering Native American Tribes for both the American Southeast, Southwest, and Mesoamerica. Typical Seminole Housing: Chickee Adobe Pueblo Housing of the Southwestern Tribes (Hopi & Zuni)  Much like the first few chapters, I continue to learn more about Native Americans.  Things that are vaguely familiar to me about these regions become much more concrete and certain elements are completely new to me, like the game of Chunkey played by the Natives of the American Southeast. Boys from southeastern tribes playing "Chunkey" So here is a small sampling of these two chapters covering numerous tribes like Cherokee, Seminole, Hopi, Zuni, Navaho, Mayan, and many, many more... Cherokee Tribal Council House Representing the Seven Clans Ancient Southwestern Cliff Dwelling ( Mesa Verde ) Navaho Medicine
Read more

Illustration Friday: Mesmerizing!

Image
Kitty + Laser Light = Mesmerizing! I haven't done an Illustration Friday entry in awhile, but when I read the word this week was mesmerizing I couldn't stop thinking of my old kitty (and almost every cat I've known) chasing her laser light until she couldn't chase anymore... Enjoy!
Read more

Eat Dessert First!

Image
"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first." ~ Ernestine Ulmer I think every dog lives by this rule... (or eat whatever is in front of you!) This scenario is based on a million stories I've heard (and seen) about dogs helping themselves to yummy goodies whenever they have a chance. Here's hoping someone catches Fido before the birthday party is in shambles! Just finished this piece, and it happens to fit in nicely with Illustration Friday's concept word, "Dessert," this week. Enjoy...
Read more