Bryan Langdo Profile

Name, location? Do you have a day job?
Bryan Langdo. I live in Hopewell, NJ. I have a part-time job as an Editor for an ESL website and app. 

How did you hear about Ripple Grove Press?
As a freelance illustrator, I'm always on the lookout for new publishers. I stumbled across RPG a few years ago during an Internet search.

What’s your work style? Early morning, late at night? All at once, bits at a time?
It depends on what part of the work I'm doing. Sketching takes place wherever I happen to be when I have some time and inspiration strikes. Final illustrations are done in my studio, usually during weekdays. When deadlines are approaching, I wind up working nights and weekend mornings.

Where does your inspiration come from?
Anywhere, everywhere, I guess. I get inspired by movies and shows, books, music, my kids, my own random thoughts... When illustrating a book, inspiration comes mainly from the manuscript. A manuscript will usually get me thinking of other, related things, though, that can then be worked into the illustrations.

What are you working on right now?
Right now I'm dividing my time between final art for a picture book called King Calm for Magination Press and sketches for Mr. Tanner, with you guys. [due out in 2017]

What mediums do you like to work with? What medium would you like to use in your next children’s book?
I use watercolors, with outlines done in pen. I'm training myself in Adobe Illustrator right now, so sooner or later I'll want to incorporate some digital elements into my work. 

What’s your favorite picture book, besides your own, of course?!
Definitely not one of mine! I can always look back and see things I wish I'd done differently.

That said, I'm not sure I have a favorite picture book, and I don't always stay up to date on what else is being published. My favorite book from childhood is The Sailor Dog, by Margaret Wise Brown. When I was a kid, it felt like such a huge, epic adventure. I loved the sense of danger, the exotic locations, all the items neatly arranged in Scuppers' cozy little cabin.

To see more of Bryan's work, visit: www.BryanLangdo.com