Here are some rough sketch examples for the Notable Missourian book on A.T. Still, the founder of Osteopathy. The Notable Missourian series is published by Truman State University Press.
William Clark chapter 2 illustration
Here's the art for the 2nd chapter of the Notable Missourian book (Truman State University Press) on William Clark.
William Clark, Meriwether Lewis and their interpreter, Sacagawea, meet with Native American tribes on their journey up the Missouri.
Original rough sketch
Alternate rough sketch
Another alternate rough sketch showing the Discovery being pulled along the Missouri, as William Clark prepares to meet the local natives. In hindsight there are many things wrong with this illustration even as a sketch.
What's better than motorcycles and balloons?
Answer: Many things depending on who you are! Maybe its ice cream, or bungee jumping, or quiet walks on the beach, or doing crossword puzzles in the bathroom. But if you were Albert Bond Lambert, the answer to that question would be airplanes! Albert loved adventure from his youth on. He first satisfied his thirst for adventure with motorcycling. That gave way to ballooning. Once the Wright Bros proved the viability of the fixed wing aircraft, Albert was immediately intrigued. He took lessons and bought himself a Wright brothers built aircraft. Not only did this become a hobby of his, but as a business man he could see how airplanes were going to change the world. Thus (yes...i said thus) he became a major investor in aviation and aviation infrastructure. I hear he also still really enjoyed doing crossword puzzles in the bathroom though. Some old hobby's are hard to let go.
The illustration below is for the Notable Missourian book on Albert Bond Lambert. This book was written by Christopher Lynch and published by Truman State University Press.
Albert flying a Wright Model B
Young Jeffrey Deroine - a gifted communicator
This was my favorite Notable Missourian book to illustrate out of the 2015 series. Jeffrey Deroine was a fascinating guy. Born a slave, Jeffrey had a natural gift for language. As a teen he was owned by a fur trapper who used Jeffrey's communication skills to negotiate trades with native peoples such as the Ioway tribe. Starting with simple exchanges such as these, Jeffrey and the Ioway would form a strong friendship. A friendship that would ultimately help Jeffrey to become a free man, travel the world, and own property - very rare things for a former slave during the early 19th century.
This illustration is for the Notable Missourian book on Jeffrey Deroine, published by Truman State University Press.
Young Jeffrey Deroine interpreting for his fur-trapper master.
The Phonz, Chapter 2
This is the Chapter 2 illustration for Notable Missourian Alphonso Wetmore. Its a bit busy, but as my editor said, "War is busy". I think I might be paraphrasing that badly, but still it seems accurate.
Anyways the subject of this is the The Battle of Queenston Heights, a pivotal battle in the War of 1812.
The Notable Missourian book about Alphonso Wetmore written by Mary Barile and published by Truman State University Press.
Rough sketch of an alternate version
From super rough to finish - Jean Bartik and the ENIAC
Rough hand painting. Rough rough rough..
So the way I'm going about this year's round of notable missourians is way different then the way I did the recent "This Is Kansas City" illustrations. The TIKC illustrations we're made completely by hand on panel. The Notable Missourians are hybrid hand/computer illustrations. First I start with a rough hand painting. Really rough. I mean people think my kid did it and I don't correct them rough. The main purpose of the rough painting is to give me some good textures and colors and the basic location of the illustration elements. I digitally bring the rough painting into photoshop and thats where I chip away at it. Its a great method that makes experimenting, editing and changes no prob, and I think it gives a nice hybrid look.
The Notable Missourian series is published by Truman State University Press. The book on Jean Bartik was written by Kim Todd.
The illustration after some computer lovin'.
Jean Bartik Rough Sketches
Work has begun on illustrations for the 2015 Notable Missourian series published by Truman State University Press. First up is the story of Jean Bartik, written by Kim Todd. Jean was an early pioneer in computing. In fact, for awhile she was literally a computer. Yes I said that right. It's weird to think now, but in the middle of last century a computer or calculator was a job description, not a device. One of her many notable accomplishments was her work programming the ENIAC, the first general purpose electronic computer. I really want to emphasize how important those early room sized, vacuum tube laden, punch card programmed computers were in getting to where we are today, but I would be in way over my head. I'm just glad I don't have to replace vacuum tubes and patch cables into switch boards to use my iMac.
Speaking of vacuum tubes, when I was a kid I found an old box full of them and thought they were incredibly cool. Not for any practical purpose...I had no idea what they actually did. I just thought they made great doomsday weapons for my toy GI Joes. If you came across my Cobra Commander action figure holding a vacuum tube, some bad stuff was about to go down and GI Joe had some work to do.
Back on topic, here are some rough sketches for Notable Missourian Jean Bartik
Jean as a teen daydreaming in the hayloft
Jean and friends learning about the attack on Pearl Harbor
Working on aircraft during WWII
Small town girl in the big city of Philly
Jean working as a human computer
Jean and another woman working on the ENIAC
Jean up against the glass ceiling
Rivercene
After some rough starts, Joseph Kinney ended up doing quite well for himself in the steamboat business. He built a mansion for his family just across the Missouri River from Boonville. The mansion was playfully called Rivercene by Joseph and his wife Matilda as a pun playing off the fact that the river can be seen from the house and the house can be seen from the river. Rivercene still stands today and it remains a striking building unlike any other in the area.
This artwork is for the Notable Missourian book on Joseph Kinney, written by Maryellen McVicker and published by Truman State University Press.
Steam Boat Race
This illustration for the Notable Missourian book on Joseph Kinney saw some changes since the most recent composition sketch. Mainly, I changed the angle of the steam ships so it looked more like they were passing by instead of heading right for the poor spectators. I also changed the POV of the ships to make it appear as though the crowd is on higher ground instead of near the shore line. Below is the final illustration along with some of the original composition sketches for this chapter.
This artwork is for the Notable Missourian book on Joseph Kinney, written by Maryellen McVicker and published by Truman State University Press.
Final illustration of steamboat race
Final composition sketch showing steamboat race
An early idea sketch for this chapter showing the race from inside the wheelhouse. I still like the potential of this one.
An early rough sketch. Hell I'm not sure why I'm including this one. It doesn't look like a race or anything really. It more looks like some knucklehead just hanging out with his lady and waving a flag while ships pass by.
Joseph Kinney's Shoe Store
The illustration of Joseph Kinney working in his Boonville shoe store unexpectedly turned out to be one of my favorites from this story. I just really like the atmosphere.
Below is the final art along with the original composition sketch and the revised composition sketch. This artwork is for the Notable Missourian book on Joseph Kinney, written by Maryellen McVicker and published by Truman State University Press.
Final illustration
Revised and tightened composition sketch
Original composition sketch
The flatboat hits a snag
This is another illustration that ran through a few versions. It depicts Joseph Kinney's venture into flatboat ownership ending in disaster.
Flatboats were an affordable means of moving goods down river, especially before the steamboat was firmly established. Rivers were pretty treacherous to navigate due to snags and boat wrecks were not uncommon. When such wrecks would happen, nearby flatboats (should they be around) would help rescue the crew and save the cargo.
Originally I thought an illustration of such a scene would be interesting to look at, but the problem was that Joseph Kinney lost most all of his cargo which makes it unlikely that there would've been another flatboat close enough to salvage anything. So I pushed the other boat far into the background and made some other changes as well. Both versions are shown below.
This is the final art showing Joseph Kinney's wrecked flatboat.
Here is the first version of the flatboat wreck with another boat helping out. While I do like the commotion of this one, Joseph looks a bit too calm. Like he's asking the other captain how his corn crop is coming along or something.
This artwork is for the Notable Missourian book on Joseph Kinney, written by Maryellen McVicker and published by Truman State University Press.
Emmett Kelly on "What's My Line"
Even in his later years Emmett Kelly made appearances on TV shows such as "What's My Line". In this episode (which can be viewed here) the contestant says it all when she figures out the mystery person is a clown: "The first clown's name that comes to my mind is Emmett Kelly." Everybody of that era knew who Emmett Kelly was to such an extent that his character name "Willie" was rarely used. Emmett's mere presence would make people light up and be ready to laugh. That's quite an effect! When I grew up the only clown I knew by name was Ronald McDonald and his presence just made me hungry and want to ask questions about the strange psychedelic crew he was running around with. Anyways I'm sure the good clowns will have their day again. So it goes with all things. Might be awhile though. I feel like we're still squarely in the middle of a "Clowns are creepy" era.
This illustration is for the Notable Missourian book on Emmett Kelly, written by Donald McManus and published by Truman State University Press.
Sweeping the Spotlight
Emmett Kelly's most popular skit involved him coming out to sweep the ring between acts. While doing so the spotlight would begin to slyly follow him around the ring. After some bemused frustration he would sweep at the circle of light cast by the spotlight making it smaller and smaller until he could then sweep it under a rug or out of the tent. Versions of this skit live on to this day and its another example of something so familiar that I never even stopped to consider who first came up with it. I've had a lot of moments like that with this series.
This illustration is for the Notable Missourian book on Emmett Kelly, written by Donald McManus and published by Truman State University Press.
Emmett Kelly showing off
As a teen Emmett Kelly was known to be the neighborhood acrobat. He would climb telephone poles and trees and proved himself quite fearless...all the while scaring the crap out of his mom. Something I learned from this book was that Emmett Kelly had his start in the circus as an aerial artist - meaning he was on the trapeze. That seems so far from being a clown that it really surprised me. He was good at it too! Of course I suppose the fact that he lived to be a clown speaks to that. I mean, if you're not good at the trapeze...well...splat.
This is an example of an illustration where it didn't turn out as good as I imagined it would in my wee brain, or even as good as the composition sketch hinted at. I'm fine with it, but not my favorite.
This illustration is for the Notable Missourian book on Emmett Kelly written by Donald McManus and published by Truman State University Press.
Troupe Movement
This illustration is for chapter 1 of the Notable Missourian book on Emmett Kelly (Written by Donald McManus, published by Truman State University Press). Here young Emmett is shown fascinated with a vaudeville troupe disembarking for a performance in his childhood hometown of Cabool Missouri. Back in those days (late 19th, early 20th century) traveling vaudeville acts were an incredibly popular form of entertainment and nearly every town big and small had a theatre where the entertainers could perform.
Olive Boone with some Grandchildren
Here is an illustration for the final chapter of the Notable Missourian book on Olive Boone (written by Greta Russell, published by Truman State University Press). Here Olive is shown enjoying the company of some of her many grandchildren. Olive's final years had some rough turns after the passing of her husband, Nathan, but her grandkids continued to be a source of joy for her. A big thank you to my awesome editor Barbara for the help with period clothing throughout this project. If left to my own devices I would've made everybody from the 19th century wear a top hat, a monocle and have their hair in a bun.
Olive and her kids escape to the neighborhood fort
Another illustration for the Notable Missourian book on Olive Boone (Written by Greta Russell, published by Truman State University Press).
During the War of 1812, many Native American tribes were allied with England and would regularly attack the new settlements in Missouri. These were especially tense times, especially considering that Olive's husband Nathan was in the army and far away from home. On two occasions Olive and her children sought refuge at the neighborhood fort, fully expecting an Indian army to attack. Fortunately for Olive the attack never came.
If you love them, carve them a piroque out of a cottonwood.
This is for Chapter two of the Notable Missourian book on Olive Boone (written by Greta Russell, published by Truman State University Press). Here Nathan and Olive are flirting as he carves a piroque out of a large poplar in preparation for his families move to Missouri. They thought they would never see each other again but all that courting clearly had an effect. Soon after saying their goodbyes and setting out to travel down the river, Nathan landed in a nearby town and bought a marriage license. He returned to Olive by horse and asked her to marry him. Spoiler alert: She said yes.
Olive Boone Sketches
Here's some example sketches for the book on notable Missourian Olive Boone (Published by Truman State University Press, written by Greta Russell). For the sake of experiment I freehanded these sketches completely on the computer instead of the pencil/computer combination used in the other sketches. I prefer the other way.
Olive learning how to use a spinning wheel from her mother.
Olive and Nathan Boone flirting while he carves a piroque out of a huge poplar tree.
Olive and Nathan Boone crossing the Missouri in a skiff with all their possessions.
Olive gardening at their new homestead.
Olive and slave girl building a chimney without the help of the men.
Olive and slave girl building a chimney, alternate view.
Olive and her (at the time) seven children rushing to a fort during an Indian raid.
An elderly Olive with some of her grandchildren.
Olive showing her granddaughter how to use a loom.
Big Neck's Trial
Here is the Chapter 5 illustration for the Notable Missourian book on Great Walker (Truman State University Press).
The raid on Big Neck's village resulted in the deaths of three Ioway and three militiamen. Big Neck and his band thought the village they were defending was located on ancestral land outside of the state of Missouri (and therefore not in violation of the treaty). In fact they were about 20 miles inside of Missouri. Big neck was brought to trial and quickly acquitted by a jury that believed it was an honest mistake.
