Telemundo Television Interview about Alphabet Amigos Children's Book

I was recently featured on a Telemundo Segment for the Accesso Total Television Show. I was interviewed by Host Marylin Ponce in Spansih about my latest picture book Alphabet Amigos

FunnyZen Studio- Design and Apparel Brand

 

Well I'm happy to announce that I've taken my artwork and created FunnyZen Studio- Brand Etsy shop. The shop will feature themes of humor, tranquility, peace and kindness. These are themes I frequently pursue in my illustration work. I want to use this opportunity to spread smiles and love with the brand. So laugh in peace my friends. 

Angel M. Alvarez Illustration- Portfolio Reel 2020

             "I am a product of my own unique combination of influences throughout my life. The work that resonates with me as an artist is my fuel, and it is important to surround myself with this inspiration. We can only produce work to the level of quality that we have observed. Our mentors are the artists that we admire, and they left lessons for us in the work they produced. As artists, we must be lifelong learners, continuously evolving and searching for knowledge and inspiration in the world. " - Angel M. Alvarez- Excerpt from my MFA thesis. 

 

Alphabet Amigos Dual Language ABC Picture Book

Alphabet Amigos- Dual Language Children's Book Early Childhood Education. 

              I'm so happy to announce that after years of working and refining this book it's finally being published Fall 2020 by Vinal Publishing Inc. I was inspired to create this book for my son, who grew up speaking two languages.  The book is unique in that, not only is it bilingual, but all the words start with the same letter in both english and spanish. This is a great book for bilingual children and their families. It's also a great way to introduce the spanish language to kids. I tried to showcases the similarities between the two languages.

The book is about Armadillo the artist and his animal friends. All the characters in the book have interesting personalities and adventures. The book highlights all the words that start with the same letter in both languages.

The book can be purchased HERE with the official release being November 21, 2020.

Alphabet Amigos by Angel M. Alvarez. Dual Language Children's Book (English and Spanish) Ages 3-5

Angel M Alvarez Illustration Featured in The Illustrators Journal

     I was recently featured in The Illustrators Journal, which is pretty cool! A big thanks to Lon Levin for making this happen.  Lon approached me about doing the interview a while back and I was honored to be included. Below is the cover and some of the spreads from the article. Check out the illustrators journal for some great interviews with both established and emerging illustrators. In the article I give a shout out to North Broward Preparatory School where I teach, my friends at the De Vita Academy of Art, and my alma mater University of Hartford MFA Illustration Program.

Angel M. Alvarez Illustration- The Illustrators Journal Spread 1 

Angel M. Alvarez Illustration- The Illustrators Journal Spread 2

         Every year the Florida Chapter of SCBWI  host the rising kite illustration competition for Florida illustrators. This years prompt was "Help is on the way" I explored various options in my sketchbook and finally settled on this thumbnail. My idea was a bunch of animal firefighters heading toward a fire in the city. I pictured them going down these rolling hills with the city in the background. My favorite part of the idea was having this huge giraffe sticking out of the top of the firetruck.

Angel M Alvarez illustration. thumbnail 

After researching all components of this illustration and drawing all the characters, this is the image I came up with.

Angel M. Alvarez- pencil drawing rising kite 2020

Finally at this point, I just had to paint the image. I'm happy that I attended SCBWI Florida again. It's a very supportive and positive environment. This illustration ended up getting second place in the competition and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. 

Angel M Alvarez- SCBWI illustration - second place rising kite 2020

James the Magnificent Dragon Children's Book

           I just finished illustrating James the Magnificent Dragon for Children's Book Author Rachel Bardon.  It's a sweet little story about a boy that loves dragons so much that he starts turning into one. James eventually reveals to his friends that he is a dragon, but he is still the same wonderful little boy on the inside. This was a fun project to work on, so I thought I would show some of the steps I take to illustrate a book like this. 

        I start off by trying to find my design for the main characters. In this case I began drawing James and figuring out what all his dragon friends would look like. 

Angel M Alvarez- Illustrator- Character Designs for Children's Book James The Magnificent Dragon

I then go on the "Thumbnail" the entire book to make sure I have a plan for the flow and compositions of all my spreads. I try to have variety in my designs and think about how each page flows with the entire book. All my sketches are kept rough and loose. The main goal of this critical step is to come up with a visual plan for the entire book. 

Thumbnails for "James the Magnificent Dragon" by Rachel Bardon

Once I thumbnail the entire book and figure out what my characters look like, I move on to drawing the entire book. Below is a pencil drawing of one of my favorite spreads, James flying with all his dragon friends. I have to make sure in this phase that all the characters stay consistent. This part is very important because the pencil drawing is the foundation for the painting. 

Pencil Drawing for James the Magnificent Dragon

Before I actually paint the illustration, I always do a quick color study to have my color pallet set before painting begins. While I'm establishing my color pallet, I also make sure the my value structure is correct and the I have contrast in my compositions area of interest. 

Color Study and Value Study for James the Magnificent Dragon

 Finally, after all this work has been completed I can move on the the final painting.

Dragons Flying Spread for James the Magnificent Dragon- Illustrated by Angel M Alvarez