WRITING & ILLUSTRATING my own CHILDREN'S BOOK | page two

[@paulwoodford1984]

A master watercolorist. One of the toughest mediums but one of the most beautiful aesthetics

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you! Absolutely I've been on the journey to master this medium 🙏

[@efxaristw]

since the book talks about your artistic journey i dont see a problem with not maintaining your skill level🎀 youre growing as the books character does

[@chantalleonhardt]

wait I love this!!! It also fits so well with the meaning of the story xx

[@ChristyWooten-fn6pg]

I am praying your book is one of the most loved and best selling children's books of your day. Remember, the stone that was rejected eventually became the cornerstone that is the most useful and most rare find. God bless your work and your career. :)

[@Editz28476]

This is my new favorite series!!! I can’t wait to see the next one!!!🫶🫶🫶

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you so so much!!! See you in episode three 🙈

[@mildridgeiii]

I DROPPED EVERYTHING WHEN I SAW THIS

[@chantalleonhardt]

AHHHH THANK YOU 🙏

[@kellyrees4619]

I want to personally contact the exhibition folks and give them a piece of my mind!!!! They ought to guarantee your entry in the next show and personally come and get your entry free of any charge!!! Ugh, I'm so mad for you! Sending a big hug from America.

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you! The exhibition was free of charge (maybe that was the problem) but as one of the biggest government galleries in the state i expected better. Oh well on to the next!!!

[@BettyKoehler-zg5sv]

Page 2 is beautiful! It amazes me that you can walk away, and continue the next with the same values. Love from Pennsylvania, USA💕🌷🐻

[@alisiademi]

Your art is so beautiful! Be careful not to leave it in direct sunlight too long because of fading. Even though it looks soooo beautiful in the sunlight!! Please take care of yourself not to burn out, take days off ❤❤❤

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you Alisia! I put my work under covers as soon as i'm not working on it 😍💗

[@catiehoppe]

wow as a person who learned painting with watercolor before acrylic or oils, it's always been the medium i've been the most comfortable with. So I know how hard it is to master! I admire how you're not afraid of working in a big format and i will definitely buy you book once it's finished! greetings from Germany 🥰

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you! I've definitely been practicing watercolours the longest too. A medium I always came back to until I pursued it full-time, something about it is just so magical xx

[@catiehoppe]

@@chantalleonhardt wow thank you so much for responding!! I agree! Could u do a video sometime about how you became an artist full-time? xx

[@Bloomzystudio]

Okay now I’m absolutely invested in this series, can’t wait for the next episode! Keep going, you’re doing great!

[@fraffee]

i ADORED THIS ONE

[@angelineameloot1331]

I’m early but it looks absolutely beautiful. You really thrive in watercolor, and watercolor is SO HARD ❤❤❤

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you so much!!! Trust me I am STRUGGLING to paint some things here 😅❤

[@smoregurl]

I am so impressed. I subscribed !!!! ❤ I gotta see how ur story goes . Also I love your art style 😊 !!!!

[@FarmerC.J.]

All the best to you! I just finished my first book in a series. I, too, illustrated and wrote my book! It took 2 years to complete! I am so very happy how it turned out! Enjoy the journey 💕

[@tiaraguruge8103]

I’m so invested

[@peppiiiiiiiiii]

I found your channel through the video of painting the first page to your book and absolutely loved it! I have now been watching more of you're videos and all i have to say is you're art is so lovely as well as your energy. 💗 Good luck with everything!

[@pinkangel2393]

Amazing artwork! And such patience you have to work on such a huge piece 😮❤ can’t wait to see the next one!

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you !! The next ones a bit outside my comfort zone 🙈

[@pinkangel2393]

@@chantalleonhardt that is when we learn and flourish the most! ❤️

[@vghbbnj381]

you are so inspiring! I wish you success in creating your book❤

[@chantalleonhardt]

thank you so much xx

[@rose.2553]

Very excited to watch this later

[@chantalleonhardt]

❤🫶🙏

[@silvanacorreia6490]

There is such honesty in your work. I absolutely love it. I’m so excited to follow along and see where the journey takes you! Also, I’m so sorry about your competition piece, that’s super hurtful and I feel for you girl :(

[@Twinschoice]

You are an amazing artist. I love your style and wish you ALL the success you deserve. Love watching each page you create. They are just beautiful!

[@tuiva6207]

My favourite artist ❤️

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you 🥰

[@KAT-yt3rx]

Im so invested in this series!

[@chantalleonhardt]

thank you 😊

[@sofiasaestheticlife]

I love following along this journey! You are such a talented artist😍

[@chantalleonhardt]

tahnk you Sofia much love 💕

[@ProductOf5920Minerva]

SERIOUSLY 😮 100. YOUR WORK SEEMS TO BE ABSOLUTELY GRAND!!! ❤

[@LilSmith]

Hermosas y sutiles tus pinturas

[@motlalepulelekholoa3766]

OMG!! You captured the hills and garden so beautifully, it might be early but this is my favourite page 🥺🥺🥺💗

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank youuu!! They were much more difficult then I expected ❤

[@KṛṣṇaLīlānugāyatīḥ]

Omg I love this so much! So inspiring and I can’t wait for all the other episodes!!! Much love! 💗

[@angelinalevine5169]

I absolutely love this series! It’s so inspiration & I Thankyou for filming this! God bless you❤

[@hannahrobinsonillustrations]

This is my first ever video of yours that I’ve watched and I instantly had to go and subscribe!! The way you so honestly and beautifully share the process is pretty inspiring - I can’t wait to see your journey ❤

[@ProductOf5920Minerva]

Mine 18 and older. I wrote my books, almost simultaneously, between 2004-2008. Cross checked and Fact checked ending in 2016 because of traveling to historical location and interviews. I put them down, on a back shelf, until 2023. Edited two...and still Loved them.. LOL. published the first of there series MAY 2023...

[@chantalleonhardt]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is so inspiring and what it takes to produce a work of art!! 💕

[@MakennaJuelz]

I can’t believe they lost nastalgia🥺🥺😭😭😭I’m so sorry

[@luana9959]

I am rlly Not creative, but your Videos want me to try Art!!! And it your vids are so high quality, love them!!!

[@chantalleonhardt]

thank you!! Girl I have too much creativity haha sending some over to you... might make a video on how to be more creative ❤

[@celineali990]

I saved this video to watch after my shift, and here i am in bed so excited to watch it😊 lots of love💕

[@chantalleonhardt]

omg that makes me soo happy 🥰

[@TheAnimationHubStudio]

I love these videos. Just subscribed! I love your story of how hard it is for you to just breakthrough even though we can see you have the talent. Underdogs always have the best stories keep working ❤️❤️

[@blackvulture7999]

I like your controlled watercolor style

[@yianj2005]

Your art work is so beautiful and I'm so excited for your back,,, I wish you too much success ❤

[@sarahleighparish8646]

I watched your video on the first page and genuinely could not comprehend the beauty of your use of the water colour medium. I wish you all the best for this process and I can't wait to watch the journey 💗💗

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you so so much!! 💞

[@larissalock3261]

Stunning artwork Chantal! The flowers kind of remind me of a piece by Gustav Klimt from 1907. Your videos are so relaxing and peaceful to watch. Thank you for sharing your journey :)

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you! Someone said the exact same thing but it wasnt the painting I'm referenceing, i think the work is less popular and unless you've seen it in person you might not have heard of it!! I'll share the reference at the end of my book though xx

[@Jiminsboost]

I am glad to finally watched part 2

[@annlaugrisa2044]

I was so ready to binge this whole jurney and then I relized that this came out yesterday! Well, I guess I'll just have to stick around for the next year

[@chantalleonhardt]

ahaha thank you!! See you in episode three (also there are sneak peaks on my ig) xx

[@PunkinPancakes]

This is such a cool series! I'm excited to follow you through the journey. Also, you mentioned keeping the same skill level for 1 year which reminded me of how i approach animation. I have the same thoughts about needing to keep the style consistent, so i do the scenes out of order. I decide an order based on difficulty, and will try to sandwich a harder scene between two easier scenes. This might help you or you can just keep on doing what you're doing :)

[@THEMAYQUEEN1]

I am excited to watch your journey through this epic project.

[@chantalleonhardt]

thank you 🙏😊

[@lizziex7117]

This is so so beautiful and inspiring :) love it

[@tenhoursbetter]

You should be so proud of yourself! Keep trekking

[@WinksForever]

This is amazing!!

[@ProductOf5920Minerva]

LOVE IT!!

[@TheBenevolent]

Hey, have you heard of the early english watercolor illustrators- those who did illustrations for fairytales and stuff? And also check out nihonga painting. Watercolor unlike oils is pretty soft so to bring about bold effects nihonga artists used many tactics. Although nihonga painting is kinda different the design elements are very good for all fine art transparent-translucent media. Also check out pre raphaleite watercolors. I am excited to see you grow into a maestro!!!!

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you so much!! I am familiar with nihonga painting but I hvan't looked at it in depth, you're right the design elements are absolutely captivating!! Love the early english watercolour illustrators like william Blake or Ida Routal, such as inspiration.

[@Beaut_Beau]

First time being referred to as 'butter muffin' and i gotta say, kinda liking it! :P

[@TJLubrano]

This is incredible! I don't think I've ever come across an artist that works on this scale and THIS detailed! You are amazing! ❤ I work with watercolors myself, but think the largest size I worked on is A2 and this was a commisson and it was ages ago as well, haha. Nowadays I usually work on 8x10in or 5x7in. 😊 Your work is inspiring, my love and wish you so much success and also a lot of fun as you bring your magic to life! ✨❤

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you so much!! I think kelogsloops and Anges Cecile sometimes work pretty big too!! ❤ a few pages in the book are double spread so keep an eye out for those hehe xx

[@TJLubrano]

@@chantalleonhardt Ohh gosh! I forgot about them! I used to follow them both several years ago, but lost track of them as I evolved as an artist myself. This aside. Double spreads!! 🙌🥰 So exciting!! Also. So so sorry to hear what happened with your painting and how it didn't get the proper treatment, but I agree, it does seem like it was a good reminder how much more you will achieve by paving your own way, like you're doing now. 🤗 xx

[@annemargaret24]

it might bw nice to have like an aerial shot on a separate camera so you can work and ignore the camera more! This is so beautiful! So relaxing to watch

[@LiluBoxtel]

I love your artwork, you certainly are very talented. I’m thinking it’s a reference to Gentle Spring by Frederick Sandys, the flowers certainly remind me of that painting.

[@chantalleonhardt]

THE WAY MY MOUTH FELL OPEN!!!!!

[@elisabethbowers9883]

WOW! Amazing detail! I’m working on illustrating and writing a book as well and I’m running into problems with where I’ll be putting the words. I thought about maybe putting them on a separate page next to the corresponding picture or finding/creating space for the words on the same page corresponding with the picture. I was wondering how you were approaching this?

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you! I have a space on each page in mind, and I have a few other options if that doesn't work out! Some people make a area of the page lighter or even a little box- it depends on the illustrations xx

[@miassecretbookgarden]

You're doing a fabulous job! Greetings from China:)

[@smile-ic6kk]

Omg I don’t know how I’m so early I clicked so fast 😭❤

[@chantalleonhardt]

Awww thank you so much for being here ❤🥺🫶

[@smile-ic6kk]

@@chantalleonhardtthank you so much for being an inspiration

[@magorzatagodawa1637]

Your work is beautiful and detailed and i was wondering were those flowers inspired by a painting of Gustav Klimt - flower garden?

[@chantalleonhardt]

thank you!!! Not quite, it's an oil painting, has the word "spring" in it and its currently in a museum somewhere in england!!!

[@absolute_whimsical5102]

9:00 I wonder if it’s a Claude Monet painting you’re referring to??

[@chantalleonhardt]

Not quite!! 🥰

[@ZinziMaya]

If you just film it all on landscape on the highest quality you can crop for other platforms whilst editing. That’s probably your easiest option 😊 you have a beautiful style.

[@chantalleonhardt]

thank you!! I rotate alot of my portrait fottage by 90' and that way the quality stays the same!

[@ZinziMaya]

@chantalleonhardt You're welcome! If you wanted to, then cropping for the mobile platforms wouldn't really cause any problems quality wise as I watched this on my tv, and it was good quality 😊

[@Meme.Amelia]

I absolutely love your artworks! I am about to start my fine art degree and you have inspired me to want to try to use watercolour again. It’s something I have always struggled with as a medium as I am more of a printmaker and acrylic artist so I was just wondering what brand of watercolour paints you are using as well as the paper to see if that can help me?

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you!! printing making and watercolour are so beautiful together- I use windsor and newton (all my materials are linked in my description)xx

[@kindlyi5494]

I am so into this journey! I would love to see a gradual development/ change of your style. We have so many consitsent books in the world. humans evolve, especially on a dedicated journey like yours! I am in awe and inspired!

[@addie.ate47]

Did u get the art back or they actually lost it? 16:13

[@chantalleonhardt]

yes i they found it, but it wasn't judged :(

[@elenoredanielsson6771]

😍😍😍 (clip your 🎤on a 🖌️😘 )⭐️

[@addie.ate47]

I need her to be my art teacher.

[@personalalchemy1111]

Hi there! I just found you here and I love your art style. It is so inspiring to see you work on this big project and I"m excited to see it develop. I see that your shop ships worldwide and I was wondering what shipement company you use to get your art out there? I completely understand if you don't feel comfortable saying. I am also an artist and trying to figure a way for myself to be able to ship from Japan, since I'll be moving there.

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank you! I work with Squarespace, which allows you to take payment from pretty much anywhere in the world. You just have to go to your local shipping (post office) and ask for shipping rates around the world for your products, and then you set that price for your shipping xx

[@littlepinktable]

I’m so sorry they lost your painting 😭

[@chantalleonhardt]

we found it again but it wasnt part of the competition :(

[@jassisartplace1433]

Hey, how will you turn the real pieces into book pages without a loss of detail?

[@chantalleonhardt]

Photograph professionally 🫶

[@Robine-n1v]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@chantalleonhardt]

💕

[@aleetimes3]

Its ok to halve the size!

[@aleetimes3]

Completion is better than perfection 😊

[@Teresagreensreallife]

They are going to be kicking themselves for rejecting you. Show them all how its done :)

[@kellyr.1817]

Just out of curiosity, why does the painting have to be so big or that size?

[@chantalleonhardt]

check out episode one around 2.50 i go into detail on my reasons!!! 😊

[@lexlynne20]

I feel called to say this, but maybe don’t be too strict on when you HAVE to be done. If your enjoying each piece who cares how long it takes 😊

[@chantalleonhardt]

Thank youuu!!! I'm definitely flexible but setting a deadline helps me not procastinate 😅❤

[@chessforfunonly1586]

So you want to be JK Rowling?