HOME | DD
MBoulad — Gleeful
Published: 2007-04-28 21:47:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 4254; Favourites: 72; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
I painted this for *childrensillustrator s monthly theme; this month the theme is umbrellas
The first thing that popped into my mind when I thought about umbrellas were those pretty little ornamental things they use in Asia for processions, the kind that look like they're meant to keep the sun off more than anything else. They're so pretty...
And I'm a big fan of Kipling, if you've read the Jungle Books you might remember the Bandalar (spelling? too lazy to look it up) the monkey troop who think they'll be like man if they can aquire the trappings of humanity.
So the story...I figure the children have been plunked in their most uncomfortable dress clothes to visit a relative...they're bored, itchy and completely unimpressed with the long trip (kind of like a kid these days sitting for hours in the back of the car on the way to grandmas house...)
...when to their considerable delight a troop of mischievious monkeys swoop out of the undergrowth and take off with their umbrellas.
My favourite part of this is the monkeys in the foreground, I love how they act when they're in the midst of some rough and tumble naughtiness...gleeful
Related content
Comments: 73
This is beautiful! What a gorgeous use of color! I love the annoyed looks on the parents' faces contrasting with the looks of pure delight on those of their daughters! Is it just me or does the elephant look somewhat amused as well? The textures are perfect and the detail you put into this is amazing! Each monkey has a different look on its face, a semblance of individuality that is hard to capture when one is drawing so many things that, to the naked eye, should look the same. This is extremely inspiring and I feel that I cannot say enough about it. I will 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
So beautiful and vibrant! Yay for animals. I love the story idea, as well.
~Meg~
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you (and sorry for taking ages to answer...I'm really behind on here 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
No problem, and yay for a little freedom!
~Meg~
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you for your comment (and I hope I got around to telling you I featured your work in my journal awhile back??? I was really busy for awhile, and kept meaning to, but I can't remember if I did.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is gorgeous, so vibrant and colourful and happy. I also love the monkeys in the foreground along with the foliage, it's so nice. I also really like the addition of the frog
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks hon 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is beautiful. The colours are so lovely. And the story..fantastic...i really can see the whole situation unravelled in the piece. Like a Tablou (sp?).
Great and very inspirational work!
(seen at the childrunsillustrator club))
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, and for letting me know where you saw it (I'm always curious!)
Childrens' Illustrator is a fantastic club, isn't it?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
No worries. Yeah the club seems really good....im just becoming a member! Cant wait to work on the underground theme this month! Look forward to seeing your piece aswell if you decide to do one this month.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yep, I think I will, I have a couple of ideas bouncing around
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I love the striking colors and the action in this piece. I'd have to say my favorite part are the monkeys with umbrellas forming a sort of chain..
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Another beautiful piece. Its so playful and the colors so vibrant.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks hon
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That's always a good sign. ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I love all the expressions. . . both the monkeys and the people.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Such a happy work! I just love your painting style and use of color.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
How funny... I did a very similar topic for my last project for watercolor class! (only it's not done nearly this well!) This is absolutely stunning. I love the little yellow umbrellas running through the composition and all of the animals are so believable. I especially love the flowers and animals in the foreground. Thank you for making something so beautiful! ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
childrensillustrator, I didn't know such DA community existed!
I've been told many times than many of my drawings have that child appeal and motive =^_^=
Illustrating children's book is actually one of my dream jobs (even have one commissioned, by a author that just needs to find a publisher... But it doesn't seme to happen within the next few years....)
Back to the image
It's so jolly
I think my fav is the two running away together at the back, they look so playful and happy with their new toys =^_^=
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hey, you should join! It's really fun, they have a theme each month, so just one piece a month really isn't stressful...and it gives you lots of time to play with ideas too. I think you'd enjoy it!
Yep, I think working on childrens books would be very enjoyable...and even if it ends up being just a hobby for us it's definitely happy work
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Lol, I let this comment hang around in my message center so I wouldn't forget to join, but then it diapered below the other comments
Anyway, I have joined now, even entered last months theme and planing on trying to do this one as well. Still need to make a banner thou....
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Awesome painting! 
While I like Kipling's Jungle Book and other works of fiction, my favourite Kipling work is his poem, If. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I love that poem, too
The painting was enjoyable
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Oh, I love it. Have you thought about approaching art directors of children's books? You would be really good at it, I think.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank Sandi
Hey? Have you had a look at the club I have linked in the description? They're a pretty interesting group, they have a theme each month...maybe you'd enjoy it?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I could give you some titles of books.....you would probably have to order them from Amazon. I could also share some of what I've learned from reading and my own trial and errors so far. I had run across the club, I think it was this one, and looked at some of their work and thought "that's what most children's art looks like and mines not like that." I think shortly after that I was making sad noises to you or someone about whether my art was really suited to children's books or not. I decided to go ahead and ask them if I could join. We shall see if they think I'm suitable for their club or not.
Start my reduced work schedule today. Also I had started to request a move to Paint instead of Cashier, since they had a person quit. (In some ways I'm not sure it would be as good for me, though) But there are things I like about Cashier and had told my supervisor that, but I hate dead time and just standing and waiting for a customer with nothing to do for long periods of time. I really like to stay busy. (go figure) So she's going to sit down with me today and see if we can make me happy............???.....??............?????? ....? My eyes are crossing at the thought of it. Gotta run. ...Oh, yes, Shaina is coming home from college tomorrow. We're going down to pack her up in the morning. I have to work tomorrow night. She's going to be home this spring/summer and driving to the closer college with her brother, for a couple of classes this summer, before returning to Chattanooga in the fall.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'd love to see the book titles, Sandi, I just might order them
I think the club would be a great for you, if you're interested! And I loathe the idea that there is some set style that's appropriate for children's books, don't you?! I know there's a tendency for certain styles of artwork in childrens books to predominate at certain times, but it's annoying. It seems to have more to do with what adults deem 'child worthy' and stylish rather than what children themselves prefer. I still loathe the style of children's illustration that was popular in the early 70's for childrens books, it became so repetitive to see it over and over again when I was a kid. Blech
I hope the reduced schedule went well, it sounds like you're going to need all the energy you can get
I have some good stuff coming up too (finally!) Lizzy is coming to visit at the end of June!!!!! 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm glad Lizzie is coming. You'll be so glad to see her, and she you. For me it was the children's books of the 60's, and it was a style more like my own, at least some of them. I'll get some book titles to you. I don't think I have anything on release forms or contracts. I have seen something at an art store that was basically on legalities and contracts for an artist. Sorry I haven't answered sooner. We drove down to Chattanooga Tues and packed Shaina up and brought her home from college, then my boss called and asked me to come in 3 hours early, so I worked 8 hours on top of that. So yesterday I crashed half the day and the other half sort of helped Shaina carry a few things upstairs, start her laundry and start deciding what to store until fall. I've got to leave for work but will look up some titles on line to add to those I own and get them to you today or tomorrow. Hope you have a good day/night........??
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I love it! It's so colourful and playful - great job as always, hon!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
| Next =>