Linzer Lane's Newest Character Revealed!

 Our lives have changed dramatically this month - we left our one room loft apartment in Jersey City (a town my husband and I called home for over ten years), and moved into a winter house rental in Belmar, NJ. We now have access to nature, (and tranquility!), on a daily basis. Leon hasn't skipped a beat, and thinks that his new home is just peachy.

Instead of daily fire alarms, non-stop high-rise construction noise, and concrete plazas, he now has a garden to run in, and the beach two blocks away. The pandemic certainly pushed us into this situation with both of us working from home - but it's been a blessing in disguise!

The day we pulled up to our new home, there was a rabbit out front - and we all agreed that was a good sign!

As the weeks of progressed, one rabbit in particular comes to greet Leon and I every single day, and so we've given her the name of 'Pinecone'. 

Pinecones are a'plenty here in this quaint beach town, and her fur mimics their hues perfectly.

I find her so absolutely endearing, I knew I had to create a special character in her honor for my Linzer Lane series! Here is the first sketch of her below. 

'Pinecone the Cottontail' will be a seasonal character that runs a Christmas Tree stand during the holidays at the Linzer Lane Chriskindlmarkt. Pinecone loves gingham outfits and grabbing gingerbread to go from Iggie the Hedgehog. 

For more adorable art, don't forget to visit my web shop > Linzer Lane.

XO Ashley

PS - Know someone that could use a cute pick me up? Share this with them!

Linzer Lane Character Collection 2017

Iggie is a hedgehog gingerbread baker who loves collecting spices, drinking blueberry tea and playing checkers on his rare days off.

I'm so excited to announce my Linzer Lane character collection for 2017! These are characters I've created over the last two years and they appear in my children's books, coloring books and within various products that will be released this year.

Zinnie the rabbit runs the local flower nursery on Linzer Lane. She is dear friends with Iggie and loves growing Zinnias, Cosmas and Gladiolas within her gardens.

Zoë the Tabby Cat runs a charming button shop that serves the community with darling glass, wooden, and clay buttons. She hosts a monthly 'Button Club' event where light refreshments are served.

Treat the Owl is brand new for 2017! I hope you enjoy him ;)

Treat the Owl owns the local bookstore. Treat's store is unique, because he only carries cookbooks. His favorite cuisine is French. He never passes up a fresh baguette.

Which character is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below so I can create more books and products to enjoy this year.

xo

Lady Lucas

How to Draw Iggie - The Video

Click me to watch!

This week, the Linzer Lane experts are taking a little break so I can share with you this short video featuring my drawing process for Iggie the Hedgehog. Iggie appears in my upcoming picture book, Iggie's Gingerbread. He's a jolly little fellow who loves to bake and eat cookies daily.

Like all of my artwork, Iggie starts with a light pencil sketch, followed by a thin tipped Sharpie outline, then colored with either regular or watercolor colored pencils.

So, enjoy the video and don't forget to join my e-list, so you don't miss out on a lovely Iggie inspired free printable this September!

xo Ashley

PS - A big thank you to SCBWI's Eastern Penn Points blog & As the Eraser Burns for inspiring this special picture book themed post today! If you are a visiting SCBWI blogger, please leave your info below so we can check out your work!