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| Check the links in my Link tree! |
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From Knight Owl by Christopher Denise 
From Knight Owl by Christopher Denise 
From Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
Many people are surprised when I tell them that I work on my compositions and the individual elements of the illustration only in grey scale (black and white) before I take the step of adding color and lighting.
I love this part of the process!
I’ve developed a few custom #adobe photoshop brushes that feel and act like charcoal pencils.
Old school/art school!
Happy Friday!
(sketches from ‘Knight Owl”-more info in my bio)
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#characterdeisgn #christopherdeniseillustrator #knightowlbook #drawing #adobeartist #digitalpainting #newyorktimesbestseller #kidlitart #drawing #sketching #childrensbook #christopherdenise #christyottavianobooks #littlebrownbooksforyoungreaders #owl #artprocess
Happy Friday!
From Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
Another “from the drawing board to the book” post.
This one did not change very much at all from thumbnail to finish.
Even the text was pretty direct. From the get-go I knew that I wanted a page pause/punch line with something simple like “He was very good at his job”
Images from Knight Owl.
Links in my bio.
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We partnered with the incredible designers at The Manhattan Toy Company to produce a fantastic, huggable size, Knight Owl plush!
The toy will not be available at Barnes & Noble until October but you can enter their Knight Owl Sweepstakes for a chance to win a plushy, an art print, a virtual school visit from me while enjoying a pizza party!
Click on the B&N Sweepstakes link in my bio for your chance to win!
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| From Knight Owl |
These are two versions of the same moment in the story.
The top painting was created quickly to flesh out our proposal when my agent pitched the concept.
The bottom painting was created at the 11th hour as I submitted the final art for the book.
I did like the original painting but found that the characters and the environment had changed enough over the course of developing and drawing out the entire book that it warranted another pass. Still time well spent I think.
I couldn’t help but think of my years creating similar environments for Redwall!
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#childrensbook #productionart #kidlit #christopherdeniseillustrator #knightowl #christyottavianobooks #digitalpainting #redwall #redwallabbey #brianjacques #nytimesbestseller #owl #illustration #fantasy #dragon #dragonsofinstagram #christopherdenise #littlebrownbooksforyoungreaders
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| Preview (WIP) art by Christopher Denise |
A tiny preview of something I’ve been working on (work in progress).
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#christopherdenise #christopherdeniseillustrator #WIP #bunny #bunniesofinstagram #snow #kidlit #kidlitart #illustratorsoninstagram #childrensbooks
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| Knight Owl by Christopher Denise |
Big News! WE MADE THE LIST!
Proud of this one, my author/illustrator debut.
I am so grateful for all the love Owl has been getting-THANK YOU READERS!
If you purchased Knight Owl, you can get a signed bookplate by sending me a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Christopher Denise
P.O.Box 334
Barrington RI, 02806
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| From Knight Owl |
I was remembering a beloved childhood toy while creating the castle environment for Knight Owl. This image (found on eBay) is the toy that I played with for hours on end as a kid.
And yes, I was tempted…..
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#childhood #artisticinfluences #toys #childhood #knightowlbook #christopherdenise #kidlitart #childrensbook #christyottavianobooks #littlebrownbooksforyoungreaders #illustratorsoninstagram #newchildrensbook
A fantastic way to start the week!
Thank you Barnes & Noble Booksellers!
Check out all the award winners by clicking the link in my bio.
#bnbookawards #barnesandnoble #christopherdeniseillustrator #knightowlbook #christopherdenise #bookaward #newchildrensbook #thankyou
Saturday is Independant bookstore day!
It is the perfect day to stop in and browse all of the new titles out this spring!
I will be at Barrington Books reading from “Knight Owl”, signing books and chatting, hopefully with you, if you drop by any time between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm.
Joining me at the bookstore is the talented and fun Josh Funk. His books include the “Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast” series.
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When creating a scene for a picture book I take a good amount of time developing convincing and well-thought-out environments. 
Images from Knight Owl
In many ways, I see the “world” that my characters live in as playing a supporting role. The illustration here is doing a good amount of the storytelling through the signage put up on the castle's bulletin board. There are flyers warning of Dragon sightings, the call to arms poster, and of course, many flyers for Squires Pizza. All of these things play an important part in the story. Less obvious, and perhaps not as effective as it could have been, was the looming porticos at the top of the frame. I wanted to build in an underlying tension and possible danger to what seems to be a sunny day. I thought it might also be fun to foreshadow the massive teeth of the dragon.
I understand that most of this sort of thing will be missed by many readers but it makes it fun for me!
Have a great Monday!
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Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
Great news this week!
Knight Owl debuted in the #3 position on the Indie Next Best seller List!
Thank you #indiebookstores !
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