A number of years back I discovered the artwork of Doris Ettlinger and have been enjoying the children’s books that she illustrates ever since. I am happy to share Doris with you. I know you will enjoy her talent as much as I do. Here’s Doris:
Doris Ettlinger graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and received an MFA from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has been illustrating ever since.
Most of her early illustrations were for magazines and newspapers. Her clients included The New York Times, Forbes, Penguin Books and Scholastic.
Motherhood and the move from Manhattan to Warren County changed the direction of Doris’ career. Educational publishing, with its longer deadlines, was a better fit with her family-driven schedule. In 1992 Doris signed with Cornell & McCarthy, artist representatives in the children’s market.
Sketches for Memories of the Manger
Doris’ models come in very handy when doing an overhead point of view.
Most of Doris’ picture books include a view from overhead.
Or a view from the ground. The Orange Shoes.
“Supper” from The Orange Shoes
Doris used glazes of transparent watercolor to create the mood of this piece. When the watercolor is finished she uses colored pencil to recapture the line and add lighter color to the dark areas.
Abe Lincoln Loved Animals
Daughter Ivy
Since then Doris has illustrated picture books for Albert Whitman & Co. Simon & Schuster and especially Sleeping Bear Press.
Doris’s recent books include:
THE ORANGE SHOES by Trina Hakes Noble, selected for the 2008 IRA Teachers’ Choices List in the Primary Category, as well as 8 state nominations, including the Charlotte Award for New York State.
G IS FOR GARDEN STATE by Eileen Cameron
PILGRIM CAT by Carol Peacock
MORRIS & BUDDY: THE STORY OF THE FIRST SEEING EYE DOG by Becky Hall
ABE LINCOLN LOVED ANIMALS by Ellen Jackson
March 2011 is the release date for Doris Ettlinger’s next picture book, A Book for Black-eyed Susan, by Judy Young (Sleeping Bear Press). Be sure to have a hanky ready when you read this book. Here’s the opening scene. A print of this illustration was in the juried show at this year’s NJSCBWI conference.
Thumbnail for “Birth”
Final sketch – Aunt Alma holds Cora’s baby sister. Cora’s mother has died in childbirth on the Oregon Trail.
Drawing on watercolor paper (arches hot press – stretched on board)
First a thin wash of aureolin yellow. Then rose madder genuine. (Winsor Newton)
A splashy wash of ultramarine blue with a little alizarin crimson and winsor green. Cerulean blue at the horizon. Not dark enough however.
Winsor green and alizarin crimson for the grassland and hills. Details in colored pencil.
To see more of Doris Ettlinger’s work visit her website at www.dorisettlinger.com.
Doris’ next goal is to illustrate a story she has written herself. To that end she joined the Hunterdon County Children’s Writer and Illustrator Group (HCCWIG). This association, as well as teaching the Musconetcong Watercolor Group, has expanded her network of like-minded friends and brought her work to a new level. She is no longer a studio hermit.
Doris lives with her husband, Mike McFadden – artist, craftsman, and high school teacher – in a 150-year-old gristmill on the banks of the Musconetcong River near Hampton, NJ. She’s usually in her studio or walking the dog. Otherwise, she’s teaching art class on the third floor.
Doris’ studio
Please visit her website at www.dorisettlinger.com.
Make sure you click on the link to visit Doris’ website. We just scratched the surface with her illustrations.
Hope you enjoyed getting to know Doris.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Doris’ illlustrations are as inspiring as they are beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Kathy!
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By: Laura Diamond on July 17, 2010
at 12:45 am
Kathy,
I love these illustrator Saturdays. Great Idea!
Doris’s illustrations are lovely!
anita
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By: anitanolan on July 17, 2010
at 10:57 am
Just gorgeous work, Doris. I met you decades ago when I was a designer at Scholastic Mags. And now we’re both with NJSCBWI.
Mary
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By: Mary Zisk on July 19, 2010
at 10:36 am
Wonderful to see your process Doris. I really enjoyed the transformation of the wagon piece – you make me want to be a better illustrator.
Thank you for sharing!
Leeza
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By: Leeza Hernandez on July 22, 2010
at 10:02 am
Wow, she never seises to wow me. beth
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By: beth on July 22, 2010
at 10:25 am
Splendiferous! Moving and beautifully informative–and inspiring.
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By: Gail Miller on July 22, 2010
at 11:11 am
Gorgeous, Doris!!! I love the details like how the sunlight shines through the yellow dress in The Orange Shoes.
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By: Sheri Oshins on July 22, 2010
at 8:37 pm
I was present when Doris shared about Children’s Book Illustration and gave a demonstration at the Warren County Arts Group in Spring, 2009. I was in awe, and still am… 🙂 What a pleasure to be in SCBWI with her now. She’s truly inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing this!
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By: Kathleen Rupff on July 23, 2010
at 7:36 pm
I love “Ivy Under the Oak”
and the blue of the night with it’s sparkling stars!! Can’t wait for your next!!
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By: Judith Rendt Fiore on July 25, 2010
at 8:33 pm
Doris is a wonderful teacher! As a member of the Musconetcong Watercolor Group, I have learned so much from her and expanded my horizons. Seeing her illustrations in process has been really exciting.
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By: Evelyn Voget on July 25, 2010
at 9:22 pm
I am one of Doris’ extremely fortunate students. Her work is as inspiring as it is beautiful. I have grown so much as an artist under her direction. It’s great to see her receive the recognition she deserves.
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By: Lisa Uchrin on July 25, 2010
at 9:44 pm
Doris, Your illustrations are beautiful. I especially love the “view from the ground” of the soiled foot pad. Oh, wait! I also love the soft aura of the covered wagon. Oh, wait! I also…I could go on and on. Thank you for giving me inspiration for my painting trip to Paris.
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By: rosemary on July 26, 2010
at 9:15 am
Doris’ work is, as ever, beautiful. I loved seeing the evolution of the covered wagon piece with the finish glowing so poignantly.
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By: Marty Blake on July 26, 2010
at 1:55 pm
I’m impressed! Can’t wait to see the book you are writing and illustrating – painting your own thoughts has got to be the ultimate creative experience.
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By: Gai Lovett on July 26, 2010
at 2:18 pm
Fantastic artist and teacher. Arejay
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By: Arejay on July 26, 2010
at 7:15 pm
I definitely enjoyed this, Kathy! Thank you! I wasn’t aware of Doris’s work and glad I am now. I love her perspectives; the one with the view of the church through the child’s legs is SO fresh!
Donna
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By: :Donna Marie on July 29, 2010
at 2:22 am
WOW!!! But you always wow us!!!
You are awesome!!!
Brian and Marge Normile
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By: Normile on August 1, 2010
at 3:59 pm
This is wonderful! You are a gifted artist with the ability to inspire others. Fran
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By: Fran on August 2, 2010
at 8:37 am
Ettlinger? Yes I am an artist also. Just found your work, and love it. I also loved a girl, in 1979, Judith, with your last name. Visited the family once. Last took her to the airport to fly to France. Her mother a collage artist, last name Wanderer, was well known. Judith went to France for a summer study program and we never saw each other again. Thanks for reminding me of my own lost lust sorrow, now with joy.
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By: William Hall on July 25, 2012
at 10:40 am
I constantly emailed this blog post page to all my
contacts, because if like to read it after that my friends will too.
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By: Polo Ralph Lauren Ni& on March 27, 2014
at 11:09 am