Dan Burr Illustrator

New Book

2012-01-14T08:50:00.000-08:00

I am working on another book for Jenny Phillips the singer/writer. I thought I would post one of the paintings from the book, it's been a while since I wrote anything, I've been busy on projects and family stuff. Jenny's projects are always fun to work on, she is great to work with (very creative) and I am amazed at her business prowess. The book will be out for Mothers day.

Hope you like the painting.

The Mansion

2011-12-06T07:56:00.000-08:00

The Mansion, a book by Henry Van Dyke, is celebrating its 100th anniversary and Deseret Book asked me to do the illustrations, it's a great story for Christmas and I really enjoyed doing the art for the book, it is designed well and the final product looks great. here is a link so you can check it out or buy a couple hundred copies for everyone you know. "The Mansion" I hope you enjoy it and share it with your family this Christmas Season.

Merry Christmas.

I Finally finished the "COWBOYS" book

2011-07-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe the that I am actually finished with this book, it has taken probably more time than any other book I have illustrated. I can't remember when I started it but it seems like years ago, I think we started talking about it years ago... anyway barring a bunch of changes from the art director, I am confident that it is finished. The process has taken me all over cowboydom, I have tried to represent cowboys from all over the country, not necessarily in any specific order, just a good smattering of different regional cowboys. It's interesting that there is so much difference in what a cowboy wears in Texas and what a cowboy wears in Nevada or California or even in a drug store. Saddles, headstalls, hackamores, chaps of all different shapes, who would have known... I hope I have done a respectable job of representing them historically correct and not done just another hollywood hack job. I spent time in a saddle on a roundup, I have breathed the smoke of burning hair and flesh from a hot branding iron and even wrestled a calf or two to the ground to be branded, what a great time, both the learning and the drawing and painting. I hope the book is well received and makes all the time and effort with it. A hearty thanks to all the models who sat for me and patiently waited while the light was just right for a photo shoot and to all those who helped with the historical aspect and details, getting things right is important and these guys know their stuff . I can't wait to see the finished book in person, it is always interesting to see the finished product and I have no doubt this one I will hold with pride and count as some of my best work.

I hope you rush right out in the spring and buy hundreds of copies for all your friends and family.

thanks,

Dan

COWBOYS Getting close...

2011-06-28T06:23:00.000-07:00

I'm getting down to the wire on my Cowboys book, only two paintings left to go, it's been a while since I posted so here is one more from the book, the model is one of my best friends and models he is also an illustrator so he makes a great model,we laughed hard at this painting and decided to entitle it "living the dream". The painting is about a stinky old bunkhouse, they were infested with bed bugs and smelled awful in the summer, this poor ol guy has been awakened by the smell of something bad and decides to sleep outside for the night. I hope it makes you laugh too.

The Good Samaritan

2011-04-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Lately it seems I have been doing more and more illustrations for biblical stories, this painting is the latest for a publication called The Liahona, I like this painting, it was a challenge to compose because it has been done so many times. As an illustrator you get to paint so many different subjects and usually you work on a tight deadline, this image for me is a serious subject and it would have been nice to have a month or so to work on it, but alas a few days is all that time would allow. Ironically the models I asked to pose for me are very symbolic, much like the parable, The one posing for the Samaritan is a professional counselor, The wounded "certain man" ( the words used in the bible) has recently been through a terrible tragedy, where he lost his wife in an automobile accident, as I was painting it, it donned on me how symbolic the whole thing was becoming, so I tried my best to express in the emotion and tenderness of the moment of one serving another. I hope you like it too.

This Years FTR Poster

2011-04-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Every year I do a poster for a local non-profit in the valley where I live, This is what I did for them this year, I like the crazy line around the art work, I guess I am trying to reach the younger crowd with my lack of design sense... I really like doing these posters, not only do I get to paint the subject I like but I have to design something as well, and it is nice break from my regular work, I don't charge them for the work (my donation to the cause) so I have total control over the project, any way I hope you like it and if you do you might consider visiting their site and giving to the cause, it's a good one. www.tetonwater.org The Painting is of the lower Teton River, the fisherman is a friend of mine, we were down there fishing last year and I just happened to have a camera... any way I composed this painting from the some of the photos I took that day.

COWBOYS

2011-04-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

I am making good progress on the cowboys book, about half way finised with the illustrations, here is a detail of one of the paintings, I really like this character, he is a good model and has posed for me for other projects, he is a local rancher who humors me on occasion for modeling.

The book is looking good, I have a July deadline so it will probably be a spring release. Wish me luck, still have 12 paintings to go, not to mention the other book I am working on at the same time....

Finally "Cowboys"

2011-01-24T15:36:00.001-08:00

At long last... "COWBOYS" is officially under way, I am painting almost every day on this new book, the text is almost finished, by David L. Harrison from Pirates, and the sketches have been approved. I am sooo happy to be working on this book, it's going to be a beauty, at least I hope so, Boyds Mills Press is publishing it. This painting was done from some photo ref I took while on a roundup this fall, I had a great time on horseback for the day, trying to take photos while pushing cows over a mountain was a bit tricky but what a great time, the guy in the painting is a good friend who has modeled for me a few other times, he is a great character and a terrific model, he is a cowboy and spends many days a year on horseback in the mountains checking cows.

Anyway, I will include bits and pieces here and there while I work on this great project.

It's been a while

2011-01-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe how fast time flies when you are busy, it's been a busy few months here in the studio working on a variety of projects, sorry for not keeping up on the ol blog.

I just finished a book that kept coming back for change after change after change, I hope it if finally done and the author signs off on the illustrations. Sometimes this turns into work that wont go away, this image is from that book, In the end I think it turned out good, it certainly was a learning experience.

anyway, I 'll try to do better keeping up and posting more frequently.

blender brushes in cs5

2010-10-13T12:02:00.001-07:00

cs5 has these new blender brushes that are a bit difficult to use in a practical way, I did this demo painting for a class using the blender brush, I can see how it will be useful in my regular work. I really like some of the features and will continue to try to figure it out so I can use it with my other brushes. Let me know what you think.

Cowboys

2010-06-16T14:26:00.001-07:00

Finally, We are going to be making the "Cowboys" book, I spoke with my publisher yesterday and the book is a go. I might post a few of the images here as long as I don 't give anything away. This image might be in the book, not sure yet, it is one I did to pitch the book and get the juices flowing. This book will be a follow up to "Pirates" and I am really looking forward to the paintings.

A new poster for Friends of the Teton River.

2010-06-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

This is a poster that I do every year for this organization, I am a board member and believe in what they do, clean water healthy streams and abundant fisheries. I always enjoy designing it and

appreciate the opportunity to be involved. I hope you like it. If your in the area on July 10th, this is a great party in a beautiful place for a great cause.

The Pirate King finished

2010-05-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

A las matie, I finished the Pirate King, I added a beard to this guy at some of your suggestions and made his nose a bit more pirate like. I finally feel like it is finished. I don't know why but I love painting Pirates. I have a few new ideas for new paintings and will post them when I get them sketched. for now, this will have to suffice.

A Sketch from a new project

2010-04-29T14:06:00.001-07:00

This is a sketch from a project that I am working on, I am becoming obsessed with the subject matter and am chomping at the bit to get this one under way, I have a couple of publishers looking at it, no takers yet. I think these guys were not that different from us and were more advanced in many ways than we think they were.

More Fly Paintings

2010-04-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some more fly paintings, these I did for a fellow who wanted typical flies used on the Henry's Fork of the Snake river, I've used all three and they work to catch big fish. They will also be available as prints. They are fun to paint, quick and simple a good exercise to keep sharp on technique and mark making.

Three Flies image

2010-04-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

I was going through some old files on my computer, sort of spring cleaning and came across these images. I painted them quite a while ago but I like the looseness of the paint and the spontaneity of the marks. I sold a few of them many years ago and I think I will resurrect them as a print and do some more to go with them, hope you like them too.

Latter Day Profiles interview

2010-03-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

I recently did an interview with Brian Howard who hosts a TV program called Latter Day Profiles, it was aired on BYUTV at different times of the day, I was pretty nervous and a bit fidgety (as my son pointed out) but all in all I think I did ok for never having been on TV.

If you want to see the interview you can take a look on this link, you have to scroll down and select the one with me to watch it. It's kind of weird seeing yourself on the tube, I'm not the person I see in the mirror, I'm sure I have more hair than that, and I talk different than I thought, at least I didn't say anything stupid or stumble too much over my words. have a look and let me know if I should be in disguise to hide my shame, or not.

Interview with David L. Harrison

2010-03-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

David L. Harrison the poet and author of Pirates, has a blog where he did an interview with me... here is the link. I thought I would provide a link for those who might be interested in reading it. maybe some of the questions you have about me will be answered there.

thanks,

Dan

Eagle Painting

2010-02-26T15:47:00.000-08:00

I finished some sketches today so I thought I would work on a project that has been waiting a while for me to get to it, a painting of an eagle. I had a great time working on this one of three images, I wanted to just concentrate on edges and texture. I kept the color subdued (except the fabulous yellows in the beak) so I could focus on my task, I think it worked... at least for me. I am looking forward to the other two coming up. This painting reminds me of how much I love to paint the natural world, especially the critters that live in it. I hope you like it too.

Easter Walk

2010-02-16T08:19:00.000-08:00

"Easter Walk" My newest book is on the shelves. This book was really great to work on, it gave me the opportunity to paint a few biblical scenes from the easter story. I enjoy trying to make paintings that will give my audience a sense of how I feel about things, whether spiritual subjects or others, I try to put my heart and soul into my work. I am happy with how the book turned out and hope it sells tons of copies, order your copy here.

Interview

2010-02-03T06:38:00.000-08:00

A while ago (Sept 2008)Laura Salas did an interview with David L. Harrison and me about the process of making "Pirates" She has a great blog where she reviews books, has chats with authors, talks about what is going on in her world as an author, stuff like that. Take a look and she what she is up to, I don't know why I missed posting this link but it slipped by me. Here is the link to the interview.

Trouble

2010-01-28T09:38:00.001-08:00

I'm working my way through this Pirate fetish, Here is another warming up painting, getting ready for a project is sometimes more fun than the real thing.

I used some left over reference for this painting, as often happens with photo shoots, I have way too many good photos than I can use for a specific project, this image grew out of a left over and will hopefully find a place in a procect I am working on. Hopefully you will enjoy it at least as much as I do.

The Pirate King

2010-01-15T13:11:00.000-08:00

I can't resist painting these guys, I am between projects and had to paint this painting. I am exploring some new techniques and brushes, I like what is happening and am satisfied with the painting. I need to do another pirate book and am researching some angles for a story. All in all I just had to paint another Pirate.

2010-01-09T06:21:00.000-08:00

I have been experimenting with brushes and textures trying to satisfy the painter in me and so I decided to paint something I really wanted to for a change, a Pirate... I had a great time working on this painting and am satisfied with the result. It is always a challenge to be satisfied with your work and after working on so many books and other jobs it's nice to do something for no reason at all, except to fulfill the need we all have to create something that interests us. My objective with this painting was to explore texture and brush strokes, I am always trying to come up with the perfect mark on the canvas and I suppose the quest will always be there. anyway here is my latest effort and perhaps the beginning of a new project that I would love to sink my brushes into.

New Painting

2009-11-09T10:21:00.000-08:00

This is one of a bunch of paintings for National Geographic. I really love drawing and painting this subject. I like how this one turned out. I need to do more work like this, maybe my prehistoric ancestry is trying to tell me something...

New Christmas book

2009-11-09T10:14:00.000-08:00

"I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day"

My newest book is done and on the shelves of bookstores, I had a great time doing the illustrations for this one, the models for the project are neighbors and friends and really helped the book come to life. The book was published by Deseret Book. Be sure and order plenty of copies for your Christmas presents this year... check it out here.

PIRATES again...

2009-11-09T10:04:00.000-08:00

Pirates was recently selected to be on the 2010-2011 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, try saying that ten times fast. It is a great honor for my book, well, our book to be on this list. I worked on this book for a long time and I'm glad the effort is paying off and it is getting some attention from kids, after all isn't that the idea.

Funny story

2009-10-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

This image is for a funny story where a kid said that a quail flew up his leg and out his neck... what a story, it was fun to paint.

New Images

2009-10-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of new images I just finished, I like them both even though they are very different subjects. I hope to do more biblical images in the future, they are always interesting narratives and it is challenging to try to come up with something nobody has thought of.

Easter Book

2009-09-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

I recently finished a book for the upcoming easter season for Deseret Book. Here is a sample of one of the illustrations. Some of the scenes were biblical scenes and were a challenge to put together, this one is part of the story talking about families being together after death.

I really enjoyed this book it gave me a chance to paint some things that are important to me and my faith and challenged me as an artist.

Alaska Bowhunting supply poster

2009-08-19T16:30:00.001-07:00

The Owner of Alaska bowhunting supply called me today and let me know the posters are out and selling well. Here is a preview for you and if you want to buy one here is a link to their site.

What a fun project and we are already talking about the next one.

The White Ox

2009-07-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

The White Ox received another good review by Book Loons Reviews, you can read it here if you want. On another note, I will be visiting several Deseret Book stores for book signings over the next couple of weeks to help celebrate the upcoming Pioneer Days in this part of the country. I will be in SLC July 18th with Ruth Hailstone at the Midvale store from 1-3 pm 1110 East Fort Union Blvd. In Idaho Falls on the 24th of July in the Ammon store from 1-3, and then in Rexburg on August 1st same time. Hope to see you at one of them.

Dan

Alaska bowhunting supply poster

2009-07-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, Here is the updated version of the last painting with traditional archery equipment included and a few other changes, Alaska bow hunting supply commissioned the illustration for advertising purposes, I love this old retro looking art.

Re-Worked painting

2009-06-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

This is a version of a painting that I did quite some time ago. A company I have worked with asked me to rework this image specifically for a project they have in mind, I don't know if it will happen but I had a great time repainting a traditional painting digitally, I turned a horizontal format to vertical and added the foreground, then changed the things that have bothered me for all these years. It's nice to rework old paintings, it feels sort of like a second chance, and an opportunity to clean up the mistakes you made in days gone by. I like the painting mainly because of the subject matter. I need to do more images like this one, it might satisfy the adventurer in me that spends too much time in the studio.

"Lobo, The King of Currumpaw"

2009-06-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

I'm illustrating an article about Ernest Seton the great conservationist and co-founder of the Boy Scouts. Before he was a conservationist he was a famous wolf trapper. He was hired to trap a very wily wolf who the locals had named "Lobo". It's a very interesting article and a good excuse to paint a wolf.

I hope the editor thinks so too.

From the book

2009-06-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Here is another from the same book, I really like how this one turned out, kids are fun to paint. Seeing how I do children's picture books I better like painting kids.

New Book

2009-06-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been a while since I posted anything, I do have a schedule to keep. I am working on a new book and here are a few details from some of the paintings, It is another christmas book and I like how it is turning out. It will be published for this Christmas and available for all to but... I hope you like these images.

Michael Spradlin Interview post

2009-05-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Michael Spradlin ask me to answer a few questions for his blog about what I do and what makes my world tick, stuff like that. My answers are very brief, I guess I didn't know what I was doing at the time I wrote my answers, ( when do I ?) After having a look for myself I should have taken more time to expound and exhort the fine subtleties of my craft and what inspires me to do what I do. Oh well, sorry. Here is the link. interview

White Ox again

2009-04-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

Another nice review, this time by the Deseret News. Here So another detail of one of the paintings. I really worked hard on this book and it's nice to hear that others are appreciating it.

The Sugar Bowl

2009-04-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

This is a new painting for the Friend magazine, a great little story about an immigrant girl (imagine that, me illustrating a story about pioneer immigrants) I like the colors and the composition, it got a little tight (a bit over worked) but I still like it.

New Book

2009-04-10T09:18:00.001-07:00

Here is a detail of an image I am working on for a new book. The book is a Christmas book and hopefully will be done in June. I'm still learning new ways to make the marks that satisfy the painter in me.

Dan

The White Ox

2009-04-08T06:35:00.000-07:00

In Honor of the great (most recent) review of the book I thought I would post a detail of one of my favorite paintings from the book. Hannah, my daughter, was a terrific model for the character of Emily. She was 11 or 12 when we started the project, 17 when I finished. She was very patient with her dad posing for photos, she did get tired of the costumes though. Thanks Hannah for being a great model. Kids are not easy to paint, there little faces have characteristics different from grumpy old Pirates, and especially if you know the model, you want to capture some of their personality in the painting. I'm glad these turned out good. and the book is being reviewed well.

Dan

Legends Legacy Book

2009-04-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

I recently finished 30 drawings for a great book by Mike Gaddis, entitled Legends Legacy. It is about growing up in N.C. hunting quail, squirrels and all sorts of critters. I really enjoyed reading the manuscript and doing the drawings for the book. I can't wait to get my copies. Best book of the year so far. This is one of the drawings from the book. The drawings are all digital drawings using CS3 and some of my secret pencil tools.

Childrens Literature Festival

2009-03-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from the Children's Literature Festival in Warrensburg Missouri. I was asked to do a workshop with David Harrison ( author of Pirates) we had a great time bantering about how we made the book together. David is a great guy and quite a poet, It was great to hear him read some of the poems he wrote for "Pirates". I also gave presentations to the school groups attending about my other projects and what it is like to be an illustrator. This is the biggest Festival I have ever attended and it was great to meet so many great authors and illustrators in one place. I signed a bunch of books and met some of my fans, ( what a treat for me) . I look forward to visiting Warrensburg again , if they will have me. Here is a photo of David L. Harrison and me.

The Sepulchre

2009-03-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

This is a new painting I did for the Ensign magazine. It was a challenge to try to capture the right expression in the characters faces and the gestures that would help tell this story. I like how it turned out. I used my neighbors for the models, When I was doing the photo shoot in my yard, a local contractor stopped by and the expression on his face was priceless. I'm sure they(all my neighbors) think I'm nuts. I really like the brushwork in this painting, I am always trying to improve that part of my work.

Dan

Pirates

2009-03-25T15:19:00.000-07:00

My Pirates book was one of the greatest projects I have ever worked on. I had a great time with the author David L. Harrison working out the details, we collaborated on the book working back and forth creating the sequence of pictures and poems. All the paintings are digital paintings using photoshop and a wacom tablet.
It is selling well and I can only hope to do more books like this one. check it out on my website, danburr.com.

Ensign Magazine Cover

2009-03-25T15:13:00.000-07:00

This is an illustration I did for the Ensign Magazine. Lots of folks have been interested in the image, as a result I am selling prints of the image. If you are interested you can email me and we can work out the details. Thanks to Erin Taylor for modeling for this project she made my job easy.

The White Ox published by Boyds Mills Press

2009-03-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

The White Ox is finally finished and published. I started this book in 2003 as a Masters Thesis. It was a long time coming, but in the end I really love how it turned out. The text was written by Ruth Hailstone. She did a great job. The story is really beautiful and the pictures aren't bad either. Check it out at your favorite book store.

Screen Shot of recent image

2007-11-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

This is a screen shot from an image that I am currently working on for the White Ox book.
It is a photoshop painting using some techniques that mimic oil painting. enjoy.