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What I’m Up To at Kirkus This Week,
Plus What I Did Last Week, Featuring Bob Shea

h1 June 21st, 2013 by jules



“Until that show-off went flying by!”
Early sketch and final illustration from Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great
(Disney-Hyperion, June 2013)
(Click each to enlarge)


 

This morning over at Kirkus, I write about Lenore Look’s Brush of the Gods, to be released next week by Schwartz & Wade and illustrated by Meilo So (whose work I love and who visited 7-Imp last year).

That link is here.

Last week, author/illustrator Bob Shea chatted with me about how humility is for losers. Today, he shares some early sketches and final art and such from his two latest picture books, Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great (Disney-Hyperion, June 2013) and Cheetah Can’t Lose (Balzer + Bray, February 2013).

He also gives a sneak peek at his forthcoming picture book, which he mentioned in last week’s Q&A, Buddy and the Bunnies in: Don’t Play with Your Food (to come from Hyperion, January 2014).

Let’s get to it, and I thank Bob for sharing.



Early Unicorn sketches
(Click each to enlarge)



(Click to enlarge)


Endpaper cupcakes
(Click to enlarge)


Title page art
(Click to enlarge)


“Things are a lot different around here since that Unicorn moved in.”
(Click to enlarge)


“He made it rain cupcakes!“:
Final illustration (with some of Bob’s doodles on the side)
(Click to enlarge)


“What is that heavenly smell?”
(Click to enlarge)


“What?! Goats have cheese? Unicorns don’t have their own cheese. May I try?”
(Click to enlarge)


“Not you, though. I bet those awesome horns are perfect for soccer!”
(Click to enlarge)



 

Cheetah Images:


 


Cheetah tests
(Click to enlarge)


Revised colors for Cheetah
(Click to enlarge)


Sample illustration


Final art: “First race—FLOWER JUMPING! … See? I win!”
(Click to enlarge)


Final art: “Now it is time for the most important race of all. THE BIG RACE!”
(Click to enlarge)


(Final cover)


 

* * *


 




Sketches
(Click each to enlarge)


Sketch books


From a school visit …


 

Sneak peek at Buddy and the Bunnies:


 


(Click to enlarge)


(Click to enlarge)

* * * * * * *

All images used with permission of Bob Shea.





5 comments to “What I’m Up To at Kirkus This Week,
Plus What I Did Last Week, Featuring Bob Shea”

  1. I saw all this stuff already!!! I wanna see some new stuff.

    Oh, wait, that was just me that saw it.

    Now I guess the whole world gets to see it.

    I get it now.

    congrats Bob! I might come over to steal some ide-I mean, to get inspired.

    cheers on the great reviews. Cheater

    Frank

         by Frank Dormer June 21st, 2013 at 6:41 am

  2. That Bob Shea sure can draw cute!

         by Charise Harper June 21st, 2013 at 7:04 am

  3. That BOB SHEA – the FUNNIEST GUY ON THE PLANET, he is!!

         by Laurie Keller June 21st, 2013 at 7:39 am

  4. I liked your sketch for the “Cheeta Can’t Lose”? Did your editor say to ‘tone’ it down (ie really wide open mouth on cheeta, or did you do that? Love your work!!

         by Virginia Rinkel June 21st, 2013 at 8:25 pm

  5. […] know, I know. Bob Shea visited 7-Imp back in June and shared some art from the very wonderful Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great, and he even […]

         by Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast » Blog Archive » 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #365: Featuring Bob Shea January 12th, 2014 at 12:01 am

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