In some ways, the beginning of the illustrating process is the hardest part in the creation of a book. This is when crucial decisions need to be made. Nevertheless I’m always slightly reluctant to give everything away in the roughs. I like to save a bit of passion for the final illustrations. So these sketches are deliberately slight as I gradually find my way. These have been sent to the designer at Orchard Books, the rather wonderful Tim Rose. He has put the text in place and, unsurprisingly, there’s too much of it. So to accomodate my vision I will have to adandon my prose… such is life!
Posted in Ella Bella
5 responses to “A beginning: Ella Bella and Swan Lake”
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Looks great! These “sneak peeks” are fun.
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I love the street. So magical and yet real too. Can’t wait to see the book.
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Thanks Jaymie and Saviour. The book will be a while yet…deadline is January 15th. But it’s started, and that’s good (I’m a terrible procrastinator). I’ll keep posting stuff as I do it – and you can tell me if I’m going wrong!
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So excited to hear there will be a new Ella Bella book. My four year old daughter and I love the first two. Incidentally, my daughter’s name is Ella, we have called her Ellabella since she was a baby and she loves her ballet lessons!
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Thanks Lisa!
I’m working away as fast as I can…
Events
Peter & the Wolf at Ipswich Book Festival- 3 October 2026
- Ipswich
Peter And The Wolf at Saffron Hall- 4 October 2026
- Saffron Walden
Peter & The Wolf Book Launch at FuzzypegFolk- 9 October 2026
- Bungay
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