Freddy Fix It
Shortly after a few attempts and near successes in Hollywood with animation and comic book jobs that came and went in 2011, I ended up working at National University where I assisted the Dean of Admissions and she loved my artwork. Her friend, a minister of a Christian Organization, wanted a children’s book for his family. Only he had a some specific requests and even a example of an old children’s book he grew up with to personalize it as a gift for a Christmas present. Needless to say, I was the right type of artist to handle the work and I told him to go thru the old book and make notes, make the changes with a red pen and I would take care of it. Also he sent me photos of the actual family members so that a resemblance could be achieved with a sort of newer Disney like quality in the characters.
Even with all of the variables, a lot of work and brand-name likeness to everything, to give it more authenticity, my pencils were tight enough and I had practiced the character model sheets extensively (using my animation skills) and added the text after each page was scanned and presto! Thirty-plus pages with slight variations and a few months later, I had the pencils, watercolors and inks complete. Which was pretty astounding, since I was working two jobs and did each page single-handedly (meaning each was colored from the original pencil page) so there was no room for mistakes.
It was all done and the client’s family couldn’t be happier. He printed and gave me several copies which I gave away to family myself, but still having all the finished files and most of the artwork. I must say it was a big challenge, but came out looking great! In the end, I think I still have a future in children book illustration after all! Go ‘Freddy Fix-it!’
