Russ Cox
@russcoxbooks.bsky.social
Children’s graphic novel & picture book creator.
Music lover.
Vintage/retro fan.
Horror movie buff.
Rep'd by Jennie Kendrick at Red Fox Literary.
Portfolio: https://www.smilingotis.com/
Music lover.
Vintage/retro fan.
Horror movie buff.
Rep'd by Jennie Kendrick at Red Fox Literary.
Portfolio: https://www.smilingotis.com/
Colorizing an old sketch in Clip Studio.
November 29, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Colorizing an old sketch in Clip Studio.
Another silly creature appeared on my copier paper this week. It was drawn with ballpoint pens.
August 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Another silly creature appeared on my copier paper this week. It was drawn with ballpoint pens.
Playing around with Krita since my students enjoy using it.
June 8, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Playing around with Krita since my students enjoy using it.
It’s been ages since I posted anything. I’m finishing the second Mack Moon book while still teaching. This doodle was created with a brush pen, gouache, and pencil on newsprint. I wanted to try something less cartoony but on the creepy side.
May 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
It’s been ages since I posted anything. I’m finishing the second Mack Moon book while still teaching. This doodle was created with a brush pen, gouache, and pencil on newsprint. I wanted to try something less cartoony but on the creepy side.
I was playing around in my sketchbook, and this thing appeared. #sketchbook #sketch #doodle #moleskine #pencil #whiteout #characterdesign #robot #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovels #picturebook #instaartist #instaillustrator
February 4, 2025 at 11:05 AM
I was playing around in my sketchbook, and this thing appeared. #sketchbook #sketch #doodle #moleskine #pencil #whiteout #characterdesign #robot #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovels #picturebook #instaartist #instaillustrator
If you live near the Bangor, Maine area, I will be signing copies of my latest illustrated book, Mack Moon and the P.E.T.S. Stop by to pick up a copy and shop for other great books at The Briar Patch. #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovel #booksigning #illustration
February 1, 2025 at 5:55 PM
If you live near the Bangor, Maine area, I will be signing copies of my latest illustrated book, Mack Moon and the P.E.T.S. Stop by to pick up a copy and shop for other great books at The Briar Patch. #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovel #booksigning #illustration
What a great day! Mack Moon and pals are invading bookshelves today! Thanks to @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social @jenniekendrick.bsky.social Don Jolly, and Working Partners.
January 8, 2025 at 12:13 AM
What a great day! Mack Moon and pals are invading bookshelves today! Thanks to @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social @jenniekendrick.bsky.social Don Jolly, and Working Partners.
I finished a sketch while waiting for my next flight. #sketch #sketchbook #characterdesign #character #tree #treecreature #birds #pencil #moleskine #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovel #picturebook #illustration #instaartist #instaillustrator
December 31, 2024 at 1:15 PM
I finished a sketch while waiting for my next flight. #sketch #sketchbook #characterdesign #character #tree #treecreature #birds #pencil #moleskine #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovel #picturebook #illustration #instaartist #instaillustrator
I meant to post this sketch around Halloween. #werewolf #wherewolf #creature #directions #map #characterdesign #sketch #doodle #pencil #sketchbook #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovel #illustration #instaartist #instaillustration
November 17, 2024 at 5:01 PM
I meant to post this sketch around Halloween. #werewolf #wherewolf #creature #directions #map #characterdesign #sketch #doodle #pencil #sketchbook #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovel #illustration #instaartist #instaillustration
After 2 plus years of work, I can at least share the cover of book one in the Mack Moon series. This graphic novel will hit the shelves in January 2025. A BIG THANKS to Andrews McMeel, Elizabeth at Working Partners, Ron Jolly, Hannah McGill, Jennie Kendrick at Red Fox Literary.
June 20, 2024 at 10:43 AM
After 2 plus years of work, I can at least share the cover of book one in the Mack Moon series. This graphic novel will hit the shelves in January 2025. A BIG THANKS to Andrews McMeel, Elizabeth at Working Partners, Ron Jolly, Hannah McGill, Jennie Kendrick at Red Fox Literary.
I did this sketch during a drawing demo using a colored pencil on copier paper. The highlights were enhanced with white paint.
June 6, 2024 at 9:06 AM
I did this sketch during a drawing demo using a colored pencil on copier paper. The highlights were enhanced with white paint.
I love drawing wonky hair and this character has a lot of it. And attitude.
March 15, 2024 at 9:57 AM
I love drawing wonky hair and this character has a lot of it. And attitude.
It’s been ages since I’ver posted any doodles. This one appeared at the end of a ballpoint pen. I would love to do a graphic novel in this loose style. #sketch #doodle #ballpoint #ballpointpen #character #characterdesign #robot #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovel #kidsgraphicnovel #picturebook
February 29, 2024 at 12:23 PM
It’s been ages since I’ver posted any doodles. This one appeared at the end of a ballpoint pen. I would love to do a graphic novel in this loose style. #sketch #doodle #ballpoint #ballpointpen #character #characterdesign #robot #kidlit #kidlitart #graphicnovel #kidsgraphicnovel #picturebook
My top 9 posts from 2023. Cheers to 2024!
December 28, 2023 at 7:52 PM
My top 9 posts from 2023. Cheers to 2024!
A page of cat sketches.
December 8, 2023 at 11:34 PM
A page of cat sketches.
Art is hard. A quick sketch from my sketchbook.
November 27, 2023 at 11:27 AM
Art is hard. A quick sketch from my sketchbook.
I love drawing with other mediums like a colored pencil.
November 19, 2023 at 10:55 AM
I love drawing with other mediums like a colored pencil.
An old sketch for a book concept.
November 7, 2023 at 10:03 AM
An old sketch for a book concept.
A new doodle from my sketchbook. I want to get back to doing a weekly drawing.
November 3, 2023 at 10:59 AM
A new doodle from my sketchbook. I want to get back to doing a weekly drawing.
Thanks, Debbie! I’m a kidlit author and illustrator who creates picture books and graphic novels. You can find my work at https://www.smilingotis.com. Here is a sample page from a graphic novel coming out in the spring of 2024 with Andrews McMeel.
November 2, 2023 at 8:31 AM
Thanks, Debbie! I’m a kidlit author and illustrator who creates picture books and graphic novels. You can find my work at https://www.smilingotis.com. Here is a sample page from a graphic novel coming out in the spring of 2024 with Andrews McMeel.
A little ballpoint pen doodle. #sketch #ballpoint #characterdesign #pen #hair
November 1, 2023 at 9:48 PM
A little ballpoint pen doodle. #sketch #ballpoint #characterdesign #pen #hair