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Kirbi Fagan

Illustrating book covers and Interiors for middle grade readers

Illustrating book covers and Interiors for middle grade readers

by | Tuesday, August 13th, 2024

My favorite work I have done, and hope to continue to do, is working on middle grade books. From fantasy, to historial fiction it’s been a rewarding area of my career and one I had my heart set on doing since my college years. What is Middle Grade? Some people debate where exactly the rails are for the “middle grade” genre but most agree middle grade readers are 8-12 years old. The worldview in the…
The Art of Green

The Art of Green

by | Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024

One of the projects on my desk is a book with scenes featuring a lot of…. green. In gardening, textiles, and decorating, green hues flow for me. I incorporate them generously so much so that I think of green as a neutral color – a backdrop of life on Earth. But this romantic thought comes to a screaming halt when I’m planning a composition with a lot of green. When I’m stuck with a problem…
Cultivating a Critique Partnership That Lasts

Cultivating a Critique Partnership That Lasts

by | Tuesday, November 7th, 2023

Critique from the wrong person at the wrong time can send an artist off their trail and put cracks in their confidence. I’m fortunate to have a few artists in my life who push my work with experience, expertise, and friendship. Finding and building these relationships is a journey on its own. To talk to you today about critique partnership and how to get more value from crits, I’d like to introduce to you my…
Taking the Reins of Your Art Career

Taking the Reins of Your Art Career

by | Tuesday, September 12th, 2023

Last week I received the news that the novel I recently illustrated, A Horse Named Sky is #4 on the New York Best Seller list! A Horse Named Sky includes over 100 illustrations drawn traditionally (a big first for me!)  I feel especially excited to share this on Muddy Colors because this extended community has been a big part of the foundation of all I’m creating today. If you have been illustrating for a while…
Things to Think About When Illustrating Horses

Things to Think About When Illustrating Horses

by | Tuesday, July 18th, 2023

It’s about a month now before A Horse Named Sky hits bookstores. This book has my inner tween-ager feeling completely giddy. When I approached illustrating this nearly 300-page book, it was not lost on me the challenge of drawing horses (a topic many artists grumble about.) I’m writing today to share with you some of the takeaways from my deep dive into drawing these incredible animals. Highlights Many great horse paintings or illustrations showcase specular…
The Number One Art Tip Demystifed

The Number One Art Tip Demystifed

by | Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023

If you’ve been practicing drawing for years, a newbie or a seasoned pro you know that age-old advice, “draw from life.” It seems to be the answer for all sorts of art questions, like, how can I get better?  How can I draw faster? How do I find my style? First, what is drawing from life? Drawing from life, or sometimes called, “drawing from observation’ is a practice where the artist draws what they see…
How to Speak Color

How to Speak Color

by | Tuesday, March 28th, 2023

At your local hardware store, you will see paint colors with all sorts of names. Kettle black,...

An Illustrator’s Approach to Fundamentals

An Illustrator’s Approach to Fundamentals

by | Tuesday, January 31st, 2023

In one way or another, all artists must bridge the gaps in their education on their own. The concept of a mentor text was introduced to me while attending a writing conference. Writers studied a favorite piece to guide them through their process, for technical advice and encouragement. The Famous Artist Course has been on many of MC writers’ recommended reading lists, yet few budding illustrators know about one of the most complete guides to…
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