Project book from 'Rumah Qur'ani' Indonesia

My messy table, the water colors and all clusters:)

Didi the bear and Cici the rabbit had a quarrel. That's because Didi thought Cici had his toy,  poor Cici.. Didi was wrong. Didi's toy was at home, they were exactly the same toy. But Didi was a gentleman, he admitted his fault and apologize sincerely to Cici. And what a happy ending for them, Cici forgives him, they make up again, and become best friends forever.. :)

The story was written by Rani Fitriani Ishak and the project leads by Fani Apriany from Rumah Qur'ani, a foundation in Islamic education for children. This book is one of the series of Moral Education for children.

A simple story, but written beautifully. I simply fell in love with Cici and Didi, and had a fun time making the illustration for the book, Cici and Didi and several cute creatures I added to cherries the pages.

As simple and beauty of the story, I had in mind to divide the whole story into three stages, in orded to make the story sounds more dramatic. The first page, when story teller say Cici was so sad, the sunset scene was added. Sunset scene with  the mellow feeling... And from the yellow light of sun set, we go to the bright blue sun as a flash back of the story when Cici and Didi had a quarrel. Three pages of the blue sky then we go to the evening time when Didi realized he was wrong, the fire in the fire place is crackling, mom's cook is bubbling on the big pot over the fire, and Didi regrets about what he had said to Cici. The make up scene then was in the afternoon, with the scattering orange, red and dark blue light in the sky, and the lamps on with yellow light, warm feeling when Cici forgive Didi...

My favorite page, dynamic scene with every things were scattering while Cici and Didi scrambled, tugged and pulled the toy. I love the little frog expression, so cute that I want to put her in my pocket. :D

Beware!:D

Read it loud, Caca!:)

First page to read that the horses love each other so much...

I cannot forget his expression... precious...

It's rarely that Caca could finish the book at once, but not for this book, he didn't stop until the last page...:)

(i was so happy.....:)

When the books landed in KL!

The note from the author, Carol Amber and her husband Troy as the best gift an illustrator (me!) can get.
I will treasure this for life..

Inspiring Scene of "The Gift of The Ladybug" - Part Five

The first picture I made from interpreting the story on The Gift of The Ladybug, tittled "Kuda n Ladybug". 
It is a scene of a horse galloping down the hill with a ladybug flying above him with a happy expression on their faces. The golden yellow sunlight dusk covering the hill, while a rabbit popping out from her cozy hole with a broom.

As an illustrator, one of the most important things in creating a good book is a good connection with the author.When the author and the illustrator shared a mutual respect to each other, there is no doubt that they can create an EXCELLENT BOOK.

This is what Carole wrote according the above picture:

"I envision the whole book to have the magical, airy and heaven-like feel that you portrayed in the "kuda n ladybug" illustration. I LOVE it!!! I also want some of the fun, whimsical and personality nature of the "pretty horse and ladybug" to make it's way into the characters in The Gift of the Ladybug."

And so the "kuda n ladybug" illustration became the main drawing of the book resembling of how TJ taught his parents, Troy and Carol how to live, as polkadot taught the horses how to fly.

We use the picture for cover of the book, as well as the inside cover and one spreads on page 28-29.

front cover

back cover

inside cover in sketch and the finished one

Momma and Poppa horses Character in "The Gift of The Ladybug" - Part Four

The character of momma horse started from this drawing, when I had a day dream about a pretty, trendy, clever and sophisticated young female horse.

The story of The Gift of The Lady Bug started in winter and came along in every page with the circle of the season in one year. And so the outfit of the characters. Here we can find momma wearing light spring dress with shawl, and a first yellow dandelion pinned in her hair.

The rejoice scene, when the horses at last cherished the fact that their son was meant to be a ladybug. 
They slowed down their hardworking ways, perfected countless bug-a-licious recipes, sang, danced and played with Polkadot.  

The last page of the book, when the horses treasured all of the lessons that their wise Polkadot taught them and rejoiced in the gift of the ladybug. The looks on their faces shown a complete expression of peace, gratitude and remembrance. They are picturing the gifts of Polkadot. 

The Cobblestone Street in winter wonderland - Part Three

1. In a quaint village with cobblestone streets, charming shops and glowing homes, there lived two horses that were very much in love.

"I’m picturing two horses walking down cobblestone street (standing upright on back two legs walking toward the reader with and front hooves arm in arm). It’s winter with snow on top of houses. Both sides of the street are lined with narrow houses, shops and street lamps (see link of Pistacia Vera, all with glowing windows and smoke coming out of chimneys. The shop in this illustration is a pastry shop, Pistacia Vera. If you need another shop, add an Art Gallery). The houses are usually brick, narrow and close together. Except our house is gray siding. I want this spread to feel cozy, happy, quaint and like a winter wonderland."
(Author's footnote) 

   Google time, as I've never been to winter zone before... :D

Time to travel to some places with beautiful cobblestone streets, to winter wonderland, and pack them all in my dream box.

Where should I hide when I need to focus on my thoughts? In to my meditation room. A topsy-turvy free zone, where children only can be heard from behind the door and not allowed to go in... Except when any of them need to have a 
go...ha XD

  And here is the cobblestone street in winter wonderland scenery!:)