About Me

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Currently seeking representation. Stephen Macquignon is an illustrator and was the first-runner-up for the prestigious Tomie dePaola award in 2017. He has had the privilege of working for Michael Sporn Animation Inc. on many different titles including, “The Little Match Girl”, “Ira Sleeps Over”, “Abel’s Island” and many more. An illustrator of children's books including Tea with the Queen, he has a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York and is a proud member of SCBWI. To date, he has never missed a deadline. A fresh energy that is not part of the trends out there.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Ugly Sweaters & Penguins

 
Ugly sweaters seem to be popular this season.
So here are a few I did  
 
 

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Tea with the Queen template


 
Above is the template that I had to use while laying out the story for
 "Tea with the Queen". 
The three different color boxes is the bleed for different e-readers.   
 I had to make sure all the important artwork and text could fit in the pink box this is the safe area for all e-readers and printed books.


 
 I readjusted the artwork as I went  to make sure it fit and to leave room for text.
Easier to accomplish working in Photoshop.
 
 
This is the  finished artwork
 
 
 

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Stocking Stuffer

 
Only a few days left and I am happy to say people are bidding on it!
 It makes me feel good for two reasons
1) People like my artwork
and more important
2) I am helping a good cause   

 
Also
 
is available on Amazon
in paperback and eBook form
great for young kids makes a nice stocking stuffer

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving (Panda sketch to finish)

 
It started as a way to com my nerves "just sketch something quite"  I said to myself
so I took out my sketch book and bic pen and started after a few sketches I pulled out my phone and found reference.
 
It became something more then just a sketch
It started to have its own voice
 
 
Happy Thanksgiving


Friday, November 21, 2014

Support Free Speech


I have donated to ABFFE's Holiday Auction   
 
 "Polar Bear and Penguin's Reading"
 original artwork Indian ink and watercolor
so
Starting on December 1st - 8th  
ABFFE's Holiday eBay Auction
to
Support Free Speech
 for more details just follow this
 
 
 


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

R.I.P. "G"

 
R.I.P.
"G"
11/18/2014  12:35 AM
 
 The Last of the Pack
and the smartest  
 
She was 16.5yrs old  and things just started to stop working.
It was not an easy decision, and out of three the hardest to make
but I feel it was the right one
"I will always love you"  
  

Monday, November 10, 2014

Paddington Bear

 
 
This is my first attempt at creating Paddington Bear
100% watercolor 

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Panda Playing Flute

 
 
 
Flute playing Panda
 
brush and ink with watercolor

Monday, November 3, 2014

Halloween part 2

 
 
I Hope everyone had a fun and scary Halloween  

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Happy Halloween boo!

 
Happy Halloween
 
Indian ink brushed on in washes with watercolor added

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Just sharing Panda ink wash

 
I have started to work with washes of ink. This was my first attempt 
its a little tricky but fun way to work.
 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Tea with the Queen

 
Very excited to say
"Tea with the Queen"
Available December 4th!
 
publisher Xist Publishing
written by: Chrissi Hart
illustrated by: Stephen Macquignon
 
preorders available on Amazon link
 
 

Friday, October 3, 2014

"It starts with THIS"

 
 
 


"It starts with THIS
Visual sequence is key to conveying feeling, action, storyline, interest and character, especially in children’s book illustration. One of the hardest things to do is to know your character so well—what he, she, or it looks like, how they move, how they project emotion, and at the same time to make the character immediately recognizable and consistent —all without resorting to a generic depiction, but making sure your character has charm, individuality and special qualities that make young readers fall in love with them. All of this is the same whether your character is human, animal, and yes, even vegetable! (Maybe inanimate as well) The task is to create a six-panel sequence that has a beginning, middle and an end that is obvious, featuring a character of your own invention. It can be funny, sad, dramatic or ordinary, but interesting and with lots of invention and finesse. I understand that there are computer programs that make “sequence” easier than good old-fashioned drawing. But, I don’t know any of them. I leave it to you. SPECS: 4 to 6 panels – illustrator’s choice SIZE: 8 ½” x 14” – horizontal or vertical *Please note–this is the size of the entire piece, not the individual panels.
COLOR: Black and White or Full Color – your choice
  NO WORDS"
 Tomie dePaola   
 
 A week ago today I was sent part 2 of this award contest and I'm almost done with the illustration.
I was asked not to share the content with the general public so I can't give details. All I will say is the text I was given is some of the best I ever received to illustrate and it has been fun to create a universe out of 4-5 line. I'm looking forward to sharing.
   
 
 
Part 1 I can share,
(Tomie's words)
Visual sequence is key to conveying feeling, action, storyline, interest and character, especially in children’s book illustration.
 
One of the hardest things to do is to know your character so well—what he, she, or it looks like, how they move, how they project emotion, and at the same time to make the character immediately recognizable and consistent —all without resorting to a generic depiction, but making sure your character has charm, individuality and special qualities that make young readers fall in love with them. All of this is the same whether your character is human, animal, and yes, even vegetable! (Maybe inanimate as well)

The task is to create a six-panel sequence that has a beginning, middle and an end that is obvious, featuring a character of your own invention. It can be funny, sad, dramatic or ordinary, but interesting and with lots of invention and finesse.
 
 
And I created that; it is easier when you make yourself the main character.
 I used my emotions, from feeling overwhelmed at last years winters conference, the loss of a dear friend, and I wanted to win! 
So know I'm working on part 2 and I still want to win! 15 artist are competing in this challenge from 200 or so who entered.  It feels close and faraway all of the same time. 
I am positive my creative process will help carry me.
Lets hope Tomie feels the same way :)   
  
         

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Penguin sketches part 2


 
The other week I posted this illustration plus some other sketches and finish watercolor
on my new favorite subject
 Penguins!
 
Have you seen my hat?
 
Take the bus
Also having a little fun with other popular characters


 
At the moment it has a NYC theme it could change.
But like most of my ideas I always have problems becoming a full story.
 I just need to get connected to the right people to help me flush it out.   
 


Friday, September 5, 2014

Painted Penguins

 
 

Penguins
pen and ink
with watercolor



Monday, August 25, 2014

Watercolor studies of Beatrix Potter


It was suggested by an Art Director that I should take some time and study Beatrix Potter artwork, specifically her watercolor technique.
 
"Her watercolor work to this day is some of the best … ever. What I see if your work could stand to employ these adjustments. Try this: take a simple work of hers, and copy it as accurately as you can. Force yourself to use the colors she uses. Train your hand to not always go for the straight out of the tube (or brick) color."

So I have been spending time studying Beatrix's artwork, I have an incredible book of hers called "Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales" and I sketched out an handful of her beautiful characters. I have more sketches that I plan to work on.
 
 
  One of the things I've changed was the settings on my scanner; so I don't get hot bright pops of color, much closer to my originals colors using this setting.
When I got this scanner I was thrilled how it picked up such a range of what I was working on. I even liked the POPs! of brightness (hot) . But I am emulating Beatrix Potter so...
 
   Before                                              After 
 
I start with a pencil drawing , followed by adding watercolor, India ink with a brush, and more color to finish. This is how I have been working for the last six months. I love working this way it allows me to decide to add or leave out ink line; I feel I get more of a balance between line and color.  
 
Before ink is applied
Before ink is added

Ink line added needs a little more color 
 
 

Finished artwork
easy!     
 
 
In no way does a few studies of Beatrix's artwork make me an expert but I am enjoying the process I'm looking forward to creating more soon   
 
(Just so everyone knows I left the shadows created by the scanner I didn't feel like cleaning them up)  
 

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Illustration Friday "Journey"

 
Illustration Friday
"Journey"
 
http://illustrationfriday.com/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Illustration+Friday+Topic&utm_campaign=20140811_m121692235_Illustration+Friday+Topic&utm_term=IF_MM_submitillo_jpg_3F1401920446


Thursday, August 14, 2014

Penguins anyone?

I have been playing around with Penguins  
and thought it would be fun to share the sketches.
 






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