Groundhug Day-character studies

See the side by side, sketch to finish, of "Squirrel" along with other character development sketches from Groundhug Day on my Instagram page!

https://www.instagram.com/christopherdenise/

Getting ready for Valentines Day?

https://www.weareteachers.com/14-brand-new-childrens-books-to-celebrate-valentines-day/#.WllD-A184uk.twitter

Groundhug Day-influences part two

Here is another inspiration post from my most recent book, Groundhug Day, written by Anne Marie Pace. This one is a bit more obvious for those Looney Toons fans of a certain age. Can you identify the paws and the plans in the image on the right? Check out my Instagram account to see more character development drawings!

Groundhug Day-influences

A friend was just asking me about my influences in creating the world for Groundhug Day (Anne Marie Pace, Disney/ Hyperion). Emmit Otters Jug-Band Christmas was definitely in the mix!

Book signing!

Join us on Saturday, for a hugs & hearts storytime + book signing! Anika Denise and I will be at the Savoy Bookshop and Cafe in Westerly, RI. (Because signed books make excellent Valentines, don't you agree?)

http://www.banksquarebooks.com/event/savoy-story-hour-featuring-anika-denise-and-christopher-denise

School visit and a ninja squirrel

Catching up on some posts that never made it to my blog!
A quick little account of a recent school visit and a fun link to the now famous "Ninja Squirrel"

December 8th: Super fun day meeting the students at Moses Brown in Providence R.I. today! This picture shows a pig that we all came up with but the best part was when the subject of my live ipad drawing demo was taken over by the second and third graders. You can see our "Ninja Squirrel" on my Instagram feed. https://www.instagram.com/p/BcdLpu8FMyX/ 

Groundhug Day book giveaway at Goodreads!

So Christmas is nearly here and you are still not sure what to buy for that picture book reader on your list? They probably have plenty of toys. Here is your chance to win a copy of our new book Groundhug Day, signed by both author and illustrator. Anne Marie Pace (author of the much loved Vamperina Balerina books) and I are having a book giveaway. Just sign up for Goodreads (free) and enter! Also makes a great gift for Valentines Day or (if you celebrate such things) Groundhog Day. You can't win if you don't enter and the whole thing will take you five minutes! That’s it. Wouldn't it be great if you did this right now?

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/267197-groundhug-day

I am on Instagram!

I post different types of content on different platforms, so be sure to check out my Instagram page for sketches and glimpses of my studio.

https://www.instagram.com/christopherdenise/

New "Appearances" tab on my website!

I've been visiting K-5 classrooms and Universities for years but now, finally, I have put up a page on my website to help with booking my appearances. So if you are an educator be sure to stop by and drop me a note. If you know an educator that might be interested in having me visit their school, feel free to share the link. Thanks!
http://www.christopherdenise.com
Click on the "appearances" tab on the top menu.

Groundhug Day Props #2

Here is another prop that I designed for Groundhug Day, written by Anne Marie Pace. Like the telephone directory prop that I shared earlier in September, this prop was almost completely painted over in the finished piece. On the printed page, you cannot even read the newspapers!
I create these small details knowing full well that they will most likely be obscured and overlooked by most readers but still, I take great joy in including them. They make the painting all the more fun and, somehow, they lend an air of authenticity to the imaginary world of these little critters. I like to imagine that there are a few young readers who will spot these small details and enjoy them!
Look for Groundhug Day this December published by Disney Hyperion.

 

Groundhug Day props.

Developing book and world specific props is great fun. Although it ended up getting covered by a teapot in the final illustration, I had a ball designing this woodland directory to help these characters plan their party. This detail is from Groundhug Day by Anne Marie Pace, Disney Hyperion, Dec 2017

 

Groundhug Day cover reveal!

I just recieved a note from my incredibly talented friend, author Anne Marie Pace. It looks like the cover from our new book, Groundhug Day (Disney Hyperion, December 5th, 2017) has been revealed!