Time magazine has a new article with Harry Potter artist Mary GrandPre.

What was it like to go back and draw Harry as an 11-year-old [for the upcoming anniversary edition] now that his story has finished unfolding?

It was really a nice opportunity. As Harry grew, I always wished I could go back and make a new piece for each book. So when the anniversary cover idea came up, I was really excited to do that. It’s like getting to do a new portrait of this old soul you really know.

Do you think you could render Harry at age 30, or age 60?

Sure. It takes time to draw and redraw, and to study his facial structure. The more I draw Harry, the more acquainted I become with him in my head. I try to use each previous drawing as a map for the next one. I need to start drawing to know what he’d look like. [Plus, J.K. Rowling] is such a visual writer. I’ve always looked to her writing as the main inspiration for the drawings. For a storybook or cover illustrator, the first responsibility is to draw from the writing. She makes it really easy because she’s so descriptive.

Did the movies affect your conception of what the characters looked like?

I stayed away from watching the movies. Now that the series is done, I’m watching them. I can enjoy them now, because I don’t have to worry about them messing up my mind.

Hey folks! Just wanted to remind you all about the new contest that I posted about on the 16th. To enter the contest, click here to download a template or use the online form. Winners will be published in the special book and “the national winners aged over 18 will also win an Arvon Writing Course and winners under 18 will receive a £500 Waterstone’s voucher.”

You must send in your entries before June 19th.

Hermione Granger is #2 on Entertainment Weekly’s list of Attack of the Braniacs 18 Movie/TV Whiz Kids!

HERMIONE GRANGER
Played by Emma Watson
Harry Potter series (2001- )

Emma Watson’s know-it-all and best friend to Harry Potter isn’t just book smart she’s dang clever. How many times has she been the one to save Harry and Ron and countless other students from pressing danger? She conjured fire to ward off the Devil’s Snare, surmised correctly that Professor Lupin was a werewolf, and started Dumbledore’s Army, to name a few of her most outstanding moments. –Tanner Stransky

Thank you SnitchSeeker!

Some more Order of the Phoenix promos today! They are of Harry, Cho, Voldemort with David Yates, Hermione, Ron, Lucius and Sirius

See them all HERE! Enjoy

Thanks Oclumencia! 

UPDATE: There are now more, HERE!!!!!!!!!!

J.K. Rowling has updated her official site with news about the prequel she will writing. Click read more for the full story, or just go to her site =D

After playing around with a number of different ideas I decided to write a short (for me!) excerpt from a prequel to the Potter series. It is about 800 words long and the action takes place around 3 years before Harry is born

Although I did feel a bit like a relapsing addict as I sat down to write – the words poured from my pen with frightening ease – I am NOT working on a prequel. Indeed, I’ve written that clearly at the bottom of the card itself. I just thought that this was the best way to make money for two extremely worthwhile charities.

Hey everyone! I have a fun present for you all today!!! FOUR new layouts that I have been working on for…. *looks at clock* almost 6 hours. They are for each of the 4 Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin! Here they are! Tell me what you think!!!

Slytherin Apply Skin.

Ravenclaw Apply Skin.

Hufflepuff Apply Skin.

Gryffindor Apply Skin.

UPDATE: AH! I have been informed that they mess up in Internet Explorer, I use firefox but I am trying to fix it!
UPDATE 2: Almost fixed it, now there is just a big gap between the header part and the site content, so please bear with my while I try to figure it out.
UPDATE 3: Okay, I give up for now, been trying for a little over 2 hours.  So if you have Internet Explorer; either deal with the huge annoying gap, or just don’t use the 4 awesome layouts. If someone can help please email me (webmiss[at]magical-menagerie.com)