Sep 23, 2011

Kathy Temean's Interview for "Illustrator Saturday"

Kathy Temean, writer, illustrator, Regional Advisor in New Jersey for the SCBWI and all around industrious woman has interviewed me for her weekly online article "Illustrator Saturday".

Everyone should read Kathy's blog; there is a great deal of beneficial information pertaining to all aspects of the children's book genre. She interviews a new illustrator every week, posts information she gathers from industry professionals like editors and agents and discusses writing techniques with authors.



Kathy Temean Wordpress: CLICK




Dahlia Broul was born in Manhattan in 1983. As the daughter of 2 New York City yellow taxi drivers, she spent most of her childhood drawing in the passenger seat. Wat

ching the city pass by, she recalled, “Everything was about color and light”.

At a young age, with the strong encouragement of her mother, she studied at the Museum School. Museums such as the American Museum of Natural History, the Brooklyn Museum and the New York Historical Society were frequented on a weekly basis. This led to a deep appreciation for art history and the methods of old masters. Dahlia has cited a wide range of influences including classic artists as Pierre Bonnard and John Singer Sargent, to such contemporary illustrators as Leo and Diane Dillon and Gregory Manchess. She attended Art and Design High School and later went on to study fine arts before graduating with a BFA in illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Dahlia has finished writing and illustrating an unpublished children’s book about her unconventional childhood. A young girl spends the day driving around New York in her mother’s taxicab but imagines a whole other world. A place where waterfalls cascade over buildings and taxicabs turn into submarines that ride on the backs of whale sharks.

In addition to painting, she currently teaches an art curriculum at the Brearley School, the 92nd Street Y, the Chapin School as well as the Manhattan New School P.S. 290. She can be found drawing pastel portraits at Spring Street Studio every week. “Drawing and painting are the backbone to what I do, but connecting with the reader on an emotional level is most important”.

Did you go to school for art and or illustration?

Yes, my schooling in fine art goes as far back as middle school. I then attended Art and Design High School. Afterwards I took classes at The Art Students League, SVA and Pratt, studied fine art for two years, and later earned my BFA in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Read The Rest Of The Interview Here - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Apr 28, 2009

Old Tree



so much life happens under the bark.

Apr 22, 2009

Stages to completing a page

Stage 4 Finished drawing
I added some more elements like the floor and pendant lamps. So i think it's done! now on to the next page . . .





Stage 3
Shadow and light
Image is transfered and I'm beginning to block in shadow and light. Sometimes i get carried away and start some detail, but really i try to leave that sort of thing last.


Stage 2
Getting the characters drawn and placed within the illustration
I want all the animals to feel like they are interacting with one another, but i also don't want to make the room too jumbled and confusing.


Stage 1 Getting the reference
This can take me longer then the actual drawing part.

Feb 24, 2009

Springs Studio's 17th birthday

I'm going to be apart of a group show celebrating the 17th year that the studio has been open. It's very wonderful to take part in this celebration because this place means so much to so many artists in New York.

Spring Studio was started by artist Minerva Durham in 1992 and it continues to be the best place to draw

I thought i would show an older drawing that i did when i first started attending the different drawing sessions.
17 years of Spring
Group Exhibition: Febuary 22 - March 21
Reception: Sunday, Febuary 22, 6-9 pm





Feb 10, 2009

from bad to good

Thought I would show how my drawings can start off really bad and then get better. It's funny to see the difference. Sometimes I will have to redo a face or a hand like 10 times before I get something I like.

Jan 8, 2009

Pictures of some plants I am growing

Here are three beautiful displays of what is going on at my windowsill right now! I'm a wannabe horticulturist (a trait I get from my mom) and a bit of a "photog". I just love the contrast between darkness and vibrant color. I love the light breathing through the petals. And I like using a low aperture so that the depth of field is so shallow that the street car lights appear as colorful shapes. Hope you enjoy

The Amarilis Bulb