Matthew Cordell

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! ❤️

Thanks, Ken! At my last count, I'd used up 16 or 17 of these things to get through all these drawings. I'm glad they are cheap! 😄

Super staged photo for promotional purposes but I really drew this and with this pen though fr fr #drawing #illustration #booksky #kidlitart #kidlit

Some of my photo highlights from the past week in barred owl nest site observations 👀🦉

#birding #barredowl #owl #photography #naturephotography

il topo

#workinprogress #wip #drawing #ballpointpen #penandink #art #artist #illustration #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #childrensbook #booksky #childrensbookillustration

For whatever it's worth, it's been a steady decline since Meta bought it. I just wish someone would do a rip-off app of the old school instagram. 😄 And they could do a desktop-friendly version too!

Ouch! Haha Definitely a phone app, I've never really used it on a desktop computer. The thing I like most, though, is the image centric nature of it.

I love the idea of Bluesky, but not so much the twitter-y format. So I haven't been using it. Instagram is my preferred way of sharing & viewing content. But Meta is the pits. I need to use bluesky more for ethical reasons. I wish it were more image-driven like instagram. I know. Dorky, whiny post.

Il ragazzo

(case cover art for my spring 2026 picture book, 102)

(I need to post more stuff here on bluesky)

#workinprogress #wip #drawing #ballpointpen #penandink #art #artist #illustration #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #childrensbook #booksky #childrensbookillustration

Thanks so much, Chloe! Sorry for the super slow response to this kind post. I haven't been using Bluesky so much yet!

#PictureBook #HBReviewoftheWeek TO SEE AN OWL by @cordellmatthew.bsky.social (Random House Studio/ @randomhousekids.bsky.social): "Both compelling and informational, the story of Janie’s quest, like the experience of finally sighting a pair of owls, is 'magic.'" www.hbook.com/story/review...

No offense, but in case you weren't aware--AI art is for robots, lazies, and the unimaginative, and is disrespectful to anyone in any artistic trade. Please no and thank you. ✌️

If you aren't already, follow @aclu.org on all your socials and make donations. They are being super vigilant about pushing back against this administration in these exhausting times, and it is extremely appreciated.

Thank you for the kind words and for your support with the print fundraiser! The ACLU is fighting the good fight every day for sure. ❤️

Betsy Bird wrote a fun, clever, hilarious picture book manuscript about the peregrine falcons that nest at the Evanston Public Library, and I get to illustrate it! Here are some peregrine drawings I've been doing. I'm excited for this one to land in Spring 2027 from Knopf books!

#booksky

If you are reading this and you are trans, I am with you. If you are the family of someone who is trans, I am with you. If you love someone who is trans, I am with you. If you are reading this and you are trans, you are loved. You are seen and heard. And you are not alone.