In the beginning of any good illustration there is always a sketch. I sometimes will come up with ideas and draw them up in my sketchbook, but other times I just go straight to the tracing paper. Usually when I use the tracing paper it means that I will inevitability paint up the sketch. Here is a sketch I did recently of two owls in a tree. I was trying to paint up some quick illustrations to bring along with me to SCBWI conference. Since I had been working hard on designs for licensing products I knew I needed a few more illustrations that would be more useful in a book and not on a product.
After the sketch is complete I then transfer it onto a piece of bristol paper, I like to use the vellum finish not smooth it just holds the paint better. Then its onto coming up with a color palette. I paint most of my designs in gauche and here I create colors inside these little plastic paint holders. I keep the colors until I am done with the design and with licensing products I keep the colors until all of the product designs are done and then I might make swatches if the manufacture needs them. Sometimes I have to match Pantone colors instead but they never look the same as the paint you create. My gauche of choice is Holbein. They just have the best, bright colors, and I buy them from Dick Blick on line, great discounts.
Here is the finished piece although after looking at it for awhile I think I might go back in and add some lighter spots to the background that you can see better. It is just a simple little illustration but its colors and
characters give it its charm. I am always trying to illustrate designs that either make you laugh, are colorful or just brighten your day. I am not fond of dark and dreary designs and you will never see me paint subjects that have a heavy message, its just not my thing. I think life is hard enough without me having to paint that dark side of it.
I am still feeling ill today and feeling a little sad about not being able to go to the conference, but I am better off being home while I am ill and not somewhere else.
Since my other little sick guy is sleeping on the couch I am going to steal some nap time myself. Have a great weekend everyone and rest up if you are not feeling well either!
xoEllen
