Casting Call

Like most illustrators, I keep a sketchbook. At times haphazardly, only on post-its, old envelopes and other scraps of paper. And at other times fervently, into a notebook that never leaves my side. Many of the sketches are only pencil swirls and jottings, intelligible only to me— and take form only later, when they are painted in a final version.

But other sketches seem to have a life of their own, with recurrent elements making regular appearances in the pages, coming back again and again. Almost like they want to audition for a part in one of my numerous (and interminable!) children's book projects.

One of these is Hamlet:

He's a piglet in pajamas who (when not napping) is brash and playful. And pinchable!

I expect there will be more of Hamlet in future posts, as well as the other habitués of my sketchbook pages. But for now — good night, wherever you are!