Conventionally Yours
Written by Annabeth Albert
I provided internal illustrations to Conventionally Yours (2020), written by Annabeth Albert and published by Sourcebooks Casa. The following includes all internal illustrations included in print and digital copies of the final publication, promotional materials for the book’s release, and developmental sketches/character designs.
It was really important to me that the classic car the boys drive throughout the trip, "Blackjack," was accurate. Annabeth, thank you for your patience with all of my car questions and for giving me a specific make and model.
You know when you're a kid in the backseat and your parents are arguing? That's Jasper's life right now. Shoutout to everyone selling this particular car online who provided internal shots.
I got to look at a lot of pictures of Arches National Park making this. It was nice.
The final illustration. A colorized version of this illustration was used as a promotional exclusive for the pre-order of the book.
This was the first released image of the internal art from the book, featured in an Entertainment Weekly article where my involvement in the book was released publicly. It was also the first conceptualized illustration.
Promotional Material
Commissioned 3x3 sticker design of Conrad and Alden for promotional purposes/giveaways.
Promotional illustration done in celebration of the book's audio book release.
Commissioned portrait for Annabeth Albert for her various social media outlets.
Full-color promotional postcard that was sent out for those who bought copies of "Conventionally Yours" and filled out info of their order confirmation during its preorder campaign.
Developmental Sketches & Character Design
The scenery for the "before" picture right before the boys set out for their trip changed pretty significantly.
Conrad ended up less "done" and more visibly frustrated in the final. Also, again, can't emphasize enough how appreciative I am for reference materials of the interiors of cars.
Stage one of the stargazing sketch. I didn't like how "close" it felt. Also, Alden, you're supposed to be holding his hand, man, c'mon.
There's the hand! Tweaked Alden's pose, brought the camera back slightly. I wanted to have the sense of scale.
Fun fact : I drew the initial sketch of Conrad and Alden in a subway car before I reread the scene in question and realized, given where they were traveling, they'd be on a TRAIN. This is why we review.
Of all the characters, I spent the most time hashing out Alden.
More Alden sketches. He ended up less muscular in the final illustrations, which, again, suits his character than being strictly "fit."
If it's not obvious, I fussed over Alden most. Conrad I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted from the start and it was mostly a choose-your-length for his hair, but Alden was tricky.
I didn't get to include Mr. Tuttle and his husband in any final illustrations, but I sure did want to draw them. This is also the very first sketch I did of the photo strip--that was the first illustration conceptualized by editor Mary Altman. Also ft. beta Jasper concepts that were scrapped--Annabeth said he looked "sidekick-y," and she was 100% right.
Had to draw Payton and their unicorn hangover hoodie. I'd die for Payton, and honestly, Payton would probably be ambivalent to that fact. Love that for them.
Revised concept sketches of Jasper. The top left sketch with the camera ended up being a teaser image for the next book in the "True Colors" series, "Out of Character", where he will be playing a starring role.
This was the first internal sketch of the internal illustrations that were sent to Annabeth Albert. Alden ended up a little less smiley in the final product at Annabeth's request, which is much more fitting for him. I'm glad that change was made.