Matthew Cordell

I'm just a breath away from finishing this David Bowie picture book biography that's been in the works for literal years. I'm excited about it, and it will be out in fall of 2026 from Neal Porter Books. It's called STARMAN.⚡️
#penandink #watercolor #collage #davidbowie #childrensbookillustration

Night Birding (6 of 6)

#drawing #penandink #ballpointpen #art #artist #illustration #illustrator #sketchbook

Night Birding (5 of 6)

#drawing #penandink #ballpointpen #art #artist #illustration #illustrator #sketchbook

Night Birding (4 of 6)

#drawing #penandink #ballpointpen #art #artist #illustration #illustrator #sketchbook

Night Birding (3 of 6)

#drawing #penandink #ballpointpen #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #illustration #illustrator #illustratorsoninstagram #sketchbook

Night Birding (2 of 6)

#drawing #penandink #ballpointpen #art #artist #illustration #illustrator #sketchbook

Night Birding (1 of 6)
#art #illustration #penandink #drawing #ballpointpen #sketchbook

Have a good weekend.

Note to self (and anyone else who needs it): spend time away from phone, internet, social media. Spend time with family, friends. Go outside. Listen to music. Draw. Read.

Have a good weekend.

Wondering if anyone else refers to their pen as "an a-hole" multiple times a day? #ArtDrama

Thanks, John! 🎂❤️

Portrait of Uncle Jon of Piedmont (CA)
#drawing #penandink #portrait #sketchbook #art

The future is... questionable. But in 2026, I'll be working krautrock into a picture book. ⬛️

HELLO NEW BOOK COVER ALERT! My next author/illustrator picture book, 102, will be released April 2026, and I'm excited to share the cover! Thanks to fam at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for making this one special--esp wildly cool Mary-Kate Gaudet and Angelie Yap. #kidlit #kidlitart #booksky

Weekend sketchbook drawing, good for the soul 🖤

#penandink #watercolor #drawing #painting #art #artist #illustration #illustrator #sketchbook #davidbowie #bowie

Thanks much, John! Very glad to hear! ❤️

Clocking out Friday while the ink's still wet ✌️
#workinprogress #wip #penandink #kidlitart

Still trying to get a handle on this nib I bought in Tokyo. I thought I might use it to draw my next book, but I'm a little afraid of it! I love it, but it is a wild one for real. 😬

#penandink #drawing #sketchbook

Hello! I will be at ALA Annual Conference this weekend in Philadelphia talking about TO SEE AN OWL at a few fun events. I hope you'll join me tomorrow morning (Saturday) for a signing of the book from 10:15-11:15 at the Random House Children's Books booth #1512. See you soon! ✌️ #alaac25

I have no idea what is going on with these book banners. Done lost their minds. Finding things they don't like in a book so they can pull it off the shelves is like a fun, sick, little egg hunt to them or something. 😐

Thanks much! :)

I've been taking my time on this sketchbook drawing, working on and off for a little over a week. Drawn all in ballpoint pen. I used, I think, 9 colors on this. Inks are scented like different candies and desserts, too, so there's also that.

Happy Pride 2025! All love, full support to my LGBTQ+ friends, family, and beyond. You are beautiful, you are strong, you inspire me all year long. ✌️❤️🎉

Just for fun, I've been working on this bigger-than-life big boy in my sketchbook. Two colors in, with more scribbling and more colors to go. This stuff is tedious and relaxing at the same time. Go figure! (One of the adult barred owls I've been observing this season)
#art #illustration #drawing

Good weekend. Now more protests, now more boycotts. No time to relent.

How is anyone supposed to get anything done, when sh!t is hitting fan every waking minute in Trump's America? I'm just trying to contribute to the economy, earn money for the fam, draw some silly pictures for my next children's book. He ain't having it, man.

golden girl

#sketchbook #drawing #penandink #ballpointpen #kidlitart #art #illustration

🚨 Like-minded, left-leaning Lake County (Illinois) residents! Join in peaceful protest Saturday in Gurnee at Hunt Club and Grand, 10am-noon. Or visit nokings.org to find a protest location happening near you on Saturday. Protests are scheduled throughout the US in defiance of 👎👎 Republican policy.

Weekend sketchbook therapy: barred owl baby ball in ballpoint pen ✌️😑

#penandink #drawing #art #artist #illustration #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #childrensbook #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #owl #birding #birdwatching #owl #barredowl

Abandoned sketch for picture book biography in progress. Swipe to see full spread. Drop your guess-who in comments. 😄

#drawing #picturebook #sketches #pencilsketch #childrensbookillustration #childrensbooks #childrensbook #picturebook #kidlit #kidlitart

Beautiful drawing! ❤️