Robot Workshop
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Cover
“Illustrators, lets do it again. We’re looking for an illustrator who can draw awesome, quasi-retro robots for a fun book. Let me know.” -Giuseppe Castellano ( @pinocastellano )
Responding to this tweet was what started my adventure into the picture book world and ended with one of my favorite illustration projects of all time: the Robot Workshop activity book with Penguin Publishing.
There simply aren't enough words to express how thankful I am to have been able to contribute to this one. Working on a book which allows kids to draw on the pages was so much fun for me. My goal was to try and squeeze in as much detail as I could so kids would have fun getting lost in and drawing on top of this world. I hope they enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it.
My deepest thanks to Giuseppe Castellano. It was a dream come true working with him, and I hope lightning strikes twice and we get to do it again!
Now, onto the art!
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Title Page
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Title Page Sketch
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Inside The Robot Workshop
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Inside The Robot Workshop Sketch
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Monster Smash
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Inside The Robot Workshop Sketch
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Invaders from Outer Space
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Invaders from Outer Space Sketch
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Danger At 50k Leagues
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Danger At 50k Leagues Sketch
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Rise of the Evil Robots
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Rise of the Evil Robots Sketch
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Bug Out
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Bug Out Sketch
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Ninja Battle
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Ninja Battle Sketch
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Victory Screen
Robot Workshop · 2014 · Victory Screen Sketch
Robot Workshop Coming Soon!
Robot Workshop Cover
My first illustration project with Penguin is available for pre-order on Amazon!
I am so excited to see this project come to fruition. The art is done, sent to the printers, and will be here toward the end of June! This was one of the most amazing projects I've ever had the good fortune to work on. (I mean, come on, drawing robots for a kids book!? I can't even imagine the kind of project it would take to top that!)
This was also my first opportunity to work with Art Director Giuseppe Castellano. For anyone who follows Giuseppe's twitter account, illustration work, or his excellent art direction, you knows just how incredible that opportunity was. What surprised me most about working with Giuseppe was his passion for the craft of illustration. Lots of people value the end product, but I haven't come across a ton of Art Directors who are just as enthused about the process of creating the art itself. With an Art Director like that, its hard to go wrong and I am grateful for the experience.
I have lots more to say about this project once its published and I hope you enjoy picking up a copy and drawing in it as much as I enjoyed creating it. For now, enjoy a closeup look at the cover!
Robot Workshop Full Cover
Rough Pencils
I enjoyed working on the rough pencils as much as I enjoyed bringing the illustrations to life with colors and textures. Drawing complex machinery turned out to be very relaxing for me once I got the perspective set.
With the pencils in place, it was time to move onto color. I really wanted to hone in on a retro-futuristic color scheme where everything appeared to be glowing. These colors are what I remember from my childhood and the classic sci-fi material I grew up with. Painting mood and memories is one of the most rewarding aspects of illustration for me.
Detail Shot 1
That's all for now! Be sure to check out the book at your local book store when it comes out this Summer - or preorder it on Amazon.