I don’t want to build the house, I only want to choose the doorknobs in the house.

I don’t know how to layout a room but I can pick out vintage pillows or prints! Laying out a picture book spread stresses me out - I detest figuring out composition…but the details within the illustration…those glorious pom poms on the shoes…those teeny buttons on the collar of a bear’s shirt…that’s all I care about thank you!

This wouldn’t be my year if I didn’t have an entire blog post dedicated to details so for this lovely little November installment of my Yearlong Celebration of Things I Love About Art - we’re zooming way in and reveling in the tiniest of features.

My current work has gotten much simpler but here are some older pieces which you can dig into…so much detail!

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One thing I think I’m getting better as is knowing when to add detail and when to leave it out. Working on Henri and Miko has forced me to simplify in so many ways because the stories are told is graphic panels. More detail means a slower pace of storytelling and also less efficiency for me in getting it all done. But the books are still incredibly detailed - I’m just focusing my energy on world building in the right spots. Here are a couple peeks from the sketch phase of the books…(omg I can’t wait for these to come out and for you to see them - literally YEARS in the making!)

“Drawing a good picture is like telling a really good lie -
the key is in the incidental detail.”

- Shaun Tan

SOPHIE BLACKALL

I’ve been patiently waiting to put Sophie Blackall on this list, though I knew it must be for the right thing! One of the things that stands out to me about her work is the incredible level of craft, detail and care. I had the immense joy of attending Milkwood last Summer and we got to see the originals for Farmhouse and my mind was blown! So many insanely intricate details. (She even lifted the covers off the characters in bed and underneath they were illustrated with full pajamas and toes!) She’s illustrated over 50 book, won a multitude of awards (including two Caldecotts!) and still has the capacity to seemingly put care into everything she puts out into the world. (For a treat, watch some BTS from Farmhouse!)

Interior from Farmhouse, ©Sophie Blackall

Sophie showing us her originals at Milkwood (and us all losing our minds!)

Interior from If You Come To Earth, © Sophie Blackall

Interior from Hello Lighthouse, ©Sophie Blackall

JÚLIA SARDÀ

I’ve been a huge fan of Barcelona based Júlia Sardà’s work since the beginning of my career and it’s been a true joy watching her work (which from the onset was incredible) just get better and better…and better! Her commitment to propelling her work is palpable, and she’s created an entire world rich with perspectives, textures, and intriguing details. You’ve seen her illustrations in books like Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein, The Liszts, and my personal favorite - her debut authored and illustrated book, The Queen in the Cave. Generic interiors are way too common in picture books (mine included) but she builds interesting worlds you could (and would want to) get lost in.

Interior from The Queen In The Cave ©JuliaSarda

Interior from Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein, illustration ©JuliaSarda

From Moving the Millers' Minnie Moore Mine Mansion: A True Story, ©Julia Sarda

MITSUMASA ANNO

I first found Japanese artist Mitsumasa Anno’s (1926-2020) work at my friend Ginnie Hsu’s house (another lover of details!) in the book Anno’s Flea Market. He is most known for his highly detailed picture books which contain few words, rendered in pen & ink and watercolor. After studying art in highschool and being drafted into the Japanese Army, he taught high school math for ten years before diving into a career of picture books. He published over three dozen books and won a number of awards, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award.

St. Paul’s Cathedral from Anno’s Britain ©Mitsumasa Anno

Spread from Anno’s Journey, © Mitsumasa Anno

Spread from Anno’s Journey ©Mitsumasa Anno

B.B. Cronin

When I decided to do a post on detail, I knew I had to include the super fun seek & find books from BB Cronin. This Irish illustrator, who now lives in NY is the creator of the series which includes The Lost House, The Lost Picnic, The Lost Christmas, and The Lost Cousins. The first book has everything hidden under a single color illustration so it’s extra tricky to find objects! The rest of the books are so vivid and bright. The stories follow Grandad who with the help of his grandkids, Tate and Esme, must find loads of things from socks to teeth to their lost long cousins! I have to get all of these for mysel…err…my daughter! (Nice to now have an excuse to go wild on all the books I’ve been wanting.)

Interior from The Lost House ©B.B.Cronin

Interior from The Lost House ©B.B.Cronin

There are so many lovely books and illustrations overflowing with details and I’d love to hear your recommendations. What am I missing?! Leave them in the comments below :)

If you want to dig in a little more, you can watch the colored pencil and watercolor piece of my annual self portrait come together this month on The Dessert Club Patreon. We start with the colored pencil drawing (though I did post progress pics!) and do some color temp testing before a timelapse of the watercolor painting and final colored pencil details.

Ok friends, thanks for reading! I hope you have the coziest month filled with family (chosen or given) the toastiest feasts and all the warmth and magic you can handle.

xo,
Becca