Creating "Turn Arounds" for Cuter Characters

I’m in production mode now. I’ve got the story written. The next step is to create a storyboard with images that represent and dramatize the text. Before I do these images, I need to finalize the new, cute look for each character. I’m having the hardest time with Buddy the Monarch butterfly. In his case I’ll have to settle for ugly cute, or my with just plain ugly, with a twinkle in his eye.

Here’s my first rough step on the march to doing 40 pages. I’ve giving myself 90 days to produce all of these images. Since I’m now working full-time as an illustrator/writer I’m beginning to feel pressure to produce more, better, faster. I can feel the clock ticking and the days peeling off the calendar. I want this book completed by May 1. It’s going to be a rough road — in mid-March I’m taking on a part-time job that will take time away from the book.