Old Time Photo Sketch

While doing research for a book cover that I am working on, I ran across this photo and decided to do some quick sketches of the characters!!

More quick sketches

quick sketches

Michelle Hits stores Tuesday 9/29/2009

Order Now!!

Smart and sure, hardworking, talented, professional and passionate, loving wife and mother, daughter, sister, friend.

This is the story of a girl from Chicago who dared to dream big, worked hard to make things happen, and grew up to be an extraordinary woman: Michelle Robinson Obama.

Deborah Hopkinson and AG Ford capture the inspiring story of the first African American First Lady in this beautiful picture-book biography.

The Progression

Here are a couple of progression shots of paintings that I was working on for the First Family book I just completed that will be released later this year. I am basically painting very directly to work quickly, mid to dark thin layers of paint, and then opaque lights, wet into wet oils, usually just in one sitting for each portrait in order to work quickly to meet deadlines.

Sketch Studies for Books

Here are just a few sketches, basically just studies of the First Family, trying to understand how to draw their faces accurately

Illustration for Black Enterprise Magazine 2008 for and article about the election

Here is an older illustration I did back in 08, I have been very busy with current projects which I can't show yet, but will definitely be posting older pieces and works from my sketch book (when i get to sketch) as much as possible. Also, these are the photos from which I used for reference as I did the drawing and painting. Thanks! and stay tuned in!!

Interior Spread for a book Im working on!

Here is a sneak peak at an interior illustration for a book that I am finishing up with Candlewick Press titled Goal!, written by Mina Javaherbin. I can't show too much of this book yet, but thought I would share one spread, the book is scheduled to be released in 2010. The book is about kids playing soccer in the alleys of their shanty homes in Africa, very fun book to illustrate!

New Book!! Our Children Can Sour!!

This is the seed of a unique picture book that is part historical, part poetry, and entirely inspirational. I did one painting of Jesse Owens for this book, a fun painting. There were many illustrators on this project (cover art by Bryan Collier) so I really wanted to stand out in someway, so I went with a very golden and sepia palette hoping no one else did the same. Books are available now, click here to order!

Humorous Illustration for Ohio Magazine

Here is an illustration done some time ago but I thought I would show you all some of the reference pictures that I took of a friend for the project and also some of the photos for the scenery that me and my art director found. Fun project!

Michelle Sneak Peek!!

Here is the cover and also one of the opening spreads for the book. This book was written by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by AG Ford (me) and is set to be released September 09 under Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers. This is what they are showing around so i thought i would share it with you all. I am still working on the rest of the interiors.
Oil on Illustration board

Details of Oz Portraits

Well here are the drawings and detail shots of the Oz portraits. This piece was done some time ago but I thought my website didn't do it justice. This is a rather large piece so I decided to give you some detail shots and let you see certain things, like brush strokes, the Cowardly Lion's tears, Tin man's rust, Dorothy's hair, and even Scare Crows leaves sticking out. This is all done in acrylic, transparent shadows, opaque lights working from thin to thick. I will try to post things periodically, old and new, but hopefully always inspiring!!

Sketches and Life Drawing #2

Here are a few more sketches and a quick life drawing on the right.

Life Drawings

Here are some life drawings from my sketch book. I think its important to keep drawing from life to stay on point. I draw from photos so much but there is something natural and fluent when drawing from life, people move, blink, and scratch, wiggle, and it really keeps you focused to try and create a drawing that can stand through all that. More to come from my sketchbook soon!

Dallas Morning News Article! My first full children's book "Barack" is a NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!!

Here is my interview which was on the front page of the Dallas Morning News!
Click here for Article