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Friday, September 14, 2012

FABULOUS FRED FRIDAY!




I am SUPER excited to celebrate FABULOUS FRED FRIDAY!
What, you ask IS FFF?
My illustrator friend Debbie Bellaby along with author Bob McCreadie
just published their first book together
and to celebrate, I am having FABULOUS FRED FRIDAY!
Debbie and I have been friends for a year or so now, and I am so excited for her!
Debbie was kind enough to allow me to pick her brain so let me introduce you to an artist you
are sure to see more of in the future!

1. Debbie, I know Fred the Fabulous Flamingo is your first book. Tell us a bit about your background and your other art work. Well I graduated in illustration but for a long time worked in graphic design. I ALWAYS doodled on the side and have come back to illustration the long way round while looking after my young children. Previous work includes: greetings cards, bespoke stationery, toy packaging and private commissions.
2. How did you and Fred find each other?
Through the brilliant website www.childrensillustrators.com - the author Bob McCreadie found my portfolio and luckily liked my artwork.
3. Do you think Fred will be making an appearance in any future books?
I truly hope so! he could go on and on..
4. As an artist/illustrator, what is your favorite medium in which to work?
I like to work quickly so fine pen is my favourite, but you can’t beat acrylics for layering beautiful, bright colour.
5. Explain a bit about the process of illustrating Fred. For instance, did you work with paper and paint, or on the computer in an art program? And give us some idea how you came up with the illustrations themselves once you read the story.
I was lucky as Fred instantly formed in my imagination, he has so much personality and Flamingos are such odd, unusual birds he became a pencil sketch very quickly. I then worked in acrylics for the final artwork (there was some digital retouching at the final stages) He was a joy to work on, really he designed himself!
6. Lastly, tell us what you have coming up in the future. Where can we purchase Fred? Do you have a blog/website you could share with us?
How about Fred, does he have a site? Right now I am focusing Christmas commissions.
I also hope there will be more Fred to come plus other collaborations with the author. You can purchase Fred here:http://www.fabulousfredbooks.co.uk/
You can find out more about me here:
Web: www.debbiebellaby.comIllustration Blog: http://bellabyblog.wordpress.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/debbiebellabyillustration

Thanks so much Debbie, for answering all my questions.  I see great things ahead for you, Fred and Bob and can't wait to see what happens next!




6 comments:

  1. Thank you Sharon, I really enjoyed doing this!

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    1. I love Fred Debbie and you should be soooo proud of your work!

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  2. Replies
    1. isn't it? I love Fred and Debbie is just so darn talented!

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  3. Aww, this is such a sweet post for your friend! I'm so glad for her!

    I just found your blog through Pozie Gets Cozy and am thrilled to come across the writings and musings of a children's book author. My husband (and parents... and friends...) have been encouraging me to write a book, some book, any book, for so long, but I just don't know where to begin. I'm glad to find your blog, and perhaps reading through your posts will help get this enormous task off the ground!

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    Replies
    1. So happy to have you here Becca! You MUST write your book....don't delay! Check out the SCBWI website if you are interested in children's book writing...it's such a good group to become involved with. Just start, then worry about how!

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...so happy to hear from you.........