This week I’m at the StoryArts Festival in Ipswich, Queensland presenting to school kids. Here’s a write-up on my sessions from festival volunteer (and fellow writer) Yvonne Mes.
Author: James Foley
James Foley makes children’s books for children who read books. If you’re a child and you’re eating his books, you’re doing it wrong. His books include the Secret Agent Mole graphic novel series, the S.Tinker Inc graphic novel series, and the multi-award winning Stellarphant. James lives in Perth with his wife, 2 kids, and a labrador. He is a massive Marvel movie nerd and comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts. Follow him on socials ( @jamesfoleybooks ) or at www.jamesfoley.com.au .
The ‘My Dead Bunny’ book trailer
It’s here! Finally I can show you the book trailer for ‘My Dead Bunny‘.
It’s two minutes-worth of animated zombie bunny badness.
I had a lot of fun putting this one together; I tried to mimic the old-school monster movie trailer format (i.e. melodramatic title cards and hammy voice-over. See the original Frankenstein trailer for a prime example).
I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a message in the comments.
Just a typical Children’s Book Week session (with zombie animals)
Last week was Children’s Book Week, my busiest week of the year. It’s the time when schools and libraries across Australia invite children’s authors and illustrators to speak to their students. For me it’s become more of a Children’s Book Month: between July 30th and September 16th this year I’m giving 93 talks and workshops to schoolkids. Each session with grade 4s and up is featuring at least one zombie animal. Here’s how a typical session looks.
Continue reading “Just a typical Children’s Book Week session (with zombie animals)”
Drawing on body language
Body language is very important in my books. While a facial expression can easily hint at the emotional state and thought processes of the characters, body language gives the reader extra clues about how the characters are feeling and thinking. This makes it easier for the reader to understand the images and the story. I would argue that accurate and expressive body language also makes the characters feel more real, more human – which helps the reader to engage with the story.
How to draw Bunny Brad from ‘My Dead Bunny’
I’ve put together a video tutorial showing how to draw Bunny Brad. Hit play to watch.
Head over to my YouTube channel for more videos!
My Dead Bunny is released into bookshops from October 1st.
Author Visit: James Foley
Thanks To the staff at Carey Baptist College iCentre for the great write-up on my visit!
On Tuesday the 5th of August, we had a visit from author/illustrator James Foley at the Carey iCentre. James is the illustrator of The Last Viking and The Last Viking Returns, and the author/illustrator of In The Lion and My Dead Bunny, which will be released later in the year.
James came to speak to the year 7s and 8s about picture books, how it got his start in them and of his love of drawing. He shared art and stories from when he was at school, speaking of his early attempts at art and story writing, and how it progressed with practice, all interspersed with humorous stories.
From there he shared of how he came into illustrating books, of the story-boarding and trail and error it took to arrive at the final version ready for publishing. He also read and showed his latest book, My Dead Bunny…
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1 simple tip for drawing hands
I’ve always found that hands are the hardest thing to draw. Here’s a simple technique I used to make things easier when I was illustrating my new book My Dead Bunny.
Meet the Cast of ‘My Dead Bunny’ (part 3)
My new book is about a zombie rabbit. It’s written by Sigi Cohen and it’s called My Dead Bunny.
Last week I showed some reference sketches for the secondary characters (Mum, Dad and the sister) and the three main human characters (Sigi, Billy and Stan).
Today I’m showing some reference sketches for the eponymous character: the dead bunny.
Continue reading “Meet the Cast of ‘My Dead Bunny’ (part 3)”
Meet the Cast of ‘My Dead Bunny’ (part 2)
My new book is about a zombie rabbit. It’s written by Sigi Cohen and it’s called My Dead Bunny.
Earlier this week I showed some reference sketches for the secondary characters: Mum, Dad and the sister.
Today I’m focusing on the three main (human) characters: the unnamed narrator (who I named Sigi after the author), and his friends Billy and Stan.
Continue reading “Meet the Cast of ‘My Dead Bunny’ (part 2)”
Meet the Cast of ‘My Dead Bunny’ (part 1)
My new book is about a zombie rabbit. It’s written by Sigi Cohen and it’s called My Dead Bunny.
This week and next, I’m writing three posts to introduce you to the cast of the book.
Continue reading “Meet the Cast of ‘My Dead Bunny’ (part 1)”
James Foley 