2/4/11

big bad book of crosswords



I was thrilled to get the opportunity to illustrate the cover of the latest New York Times crossword puzzle book for St. Martin's Press. I illustrated the wolf, and the publishing company added the type and did a few color changes. Of course I totally obsessed over this one-I probably did about 50 sketches of different wolf characters before I finally settled on this guy. Now all I need is 49 more jobs with a reclining wolf, and I'd be all set.

37 comments:

Doug said...

Really nice! I love all the textures!

salli s. swindell said...

oh-woop-woop!!!!! his bandana is GREAT!!!! quite a lounge about guy hiding behind his big-bad-wolfness. only you could pull of this illo so well!

Tamara Henderson said...

cool wolf! i really like how you incorporated the crossword puzzle in his bandanna.

michele said...

Very cute, right down to his big, bad belly! :o)

Unknown said...

i love his expression! and tongue! this is a smart wolf isn't it? :-) i love how the image turned out!

Unknown said...

Nice texturing! Great job mate! I'd love to see your other 49 sketches! Nuh...just joking!^_^

Lee said...

Ha, beautiful design, those 50 sketches were worth it!

Great stuff

Kay Aker said...

Fun!

Sjan Weijers said...

Fun scarf! great work as always

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

Oh he looks like someone I know! he he he he he! You put yo foot all up in this one! Dang!!!! How fabulous! Michael I really love this! You have to let us know when it goes on sale. My daughter loves crossword puzzles and I will make sure we get this one. This so so jaw dropping fabulous! He's a delicious character for sure. Great, great job. YOU ROCK DUDE
Just one of your cheerleaders he he he he!

duchessdoright said...

So cool! I would love to own that book just for the cover. I love crossword puzzles, too, but I know the crosswords would be way too hard for me!

Brad said...

very cool!

Chris Kennett said...

Love it, would also love to see a selection of rejected designs. I'm sure they were all winners in their own way.

DSM said...

Always nice stuff...

Carlos V. said...

So awesome, congrats!!! Please post the other 49 sketches!!!

Tomás Serrano said...

Great! I don't understand why they had to change your original palette! Please, share some of your sketches...

donny* said...

Awesome! I love that look in his eyes and that swinging tongue. Very, very excellent work, as usual!

life without novacaine said...

So dang cool! Your wolf is FABULOUS and I'll be looking for him in the bookstore near me.

Rico said...

So very, very cool!

jazzlamb said...

WOAH. Loving the textures :D reeeally lovely! Also, the previous entry on the catered cafe is hilarious! Nice stuff :)

lincoln said...

Major Kudos! great work landing the client and then hitting the job out of the park!

Unknown said...

great stuff! love the catered cafe illustration!

Francisco Martins said...

Ha! seriously, for the NYTimes? Michael you're a STAR!!! super congrats buddy!!!! aww I totally love the wolf! :D
Now, where are the other 49??? c'mon let us see... you know you want to! :D

Colin Jack said...

AWESOME SIR!

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

Apparently you magical powers man!!! YOU just made a black woman blush! LOL!!!!! Man you sho nuf know how to make my day. If it's not with your awesome illustrations it's with your encouraging and humbling words. Thanks so much man! Any comment or compliment coming from King of Fabulousness is a true compliment for sure.
Thanks so much Michael.
Big Hugs
V

matt dawson said...

The 49 'also rans' were well worh it for Mr 50! I'd love to see the evolutionary process sometime... Thanks for the words of encouragement with the screen printing... love your latest cat... so funky retro I can hear the jazz stylings as I check it out man! Your excellent prints are part of the reason I pulled my finger out and signed up for the print class...thanks for the inspiration sir!

I'm very sorry for the loss of your good friend, his work was beautiful... "South 47" is stunning! It's sobering to find he was the same age as I am... gives you a perspective on things.

R.Dress said...

Post the sketches! Great job man!

Michaele Razi said...

Love him and his expression! Wonderful!

Bella Sinclair said...

Oh, he is one hep wolf! Gotta wonder who's that in his big ol' belly. Stupendous illustrations! Your work is all kinds of awesomeness, magnified. Love the retro vibes!

fortyfourhat said...

great idea :D

MrBibleHead said...

Nice! Congrats Michael... tyou've been busy!!

Shirley said...

Stunning work, Michael!! Super duper congratulations..your fox is one stylin' chap..ready to eat words no doubt! Awesome, awesome work!!

Adele K. Thomas said...

Really nice! I like how you incorperated the crossword page as a neck bib.

Anonymous said...

congrats!
Looks great, man

David G. Ferrero said...

Cool design and colors!

Anonymous said...

brilliant illustrations, throughout the blog. Love the book cover!!

justdoodleit said...

Cool big bad W...clued into his next meal...or is he clueless?