Evolution of an illustration

Here's how I work when creating an illustration. First, I generate lots of ideas in thumbnail sketches. I try to not get stuck on the first idea that comes to mind, as better ones may come up after some thought. The thumbnails are small versions in the same proportions as the final illustration. Time is well spent creating thumbnails. Usually there will be more than one idea that makes a good composition, and that can be developed too.

Next, I paint a value study in the same media I plan to use for the illustration.

Then I paint two or three color studies using the value study for a guide.


And finally, I make a pencil sketch, sometimes ink it with waterproof ink, and paint the illustration. A few changes can be made to composition at this point, but not too many for it to work.

A few new illustrations

Here are illustrations from this week. They are done in watercolor and ink, and one uses gouache also.

Shoeless in Seattle

Might be shoeless in Seattle, but these just wait patiently for a walk!

Recent illustrations

We'd better warn Jack of what's to come. I don't think he's read the story.

Ogre : Oh Grrr

Here's an Ogre, or is it Oh Grrr, who has spent too much time shoveling snow this winter, and now apparently is deceased! Oh Dear.

A few assignments

If you want to grow as an artist, classes help. I'm taking a couple of graduate courses in the school of illustration at AAU-SF. Here are a couple of them.

Green Bunny & Friends

Green Bunny and his friends, Kitty, and Robot are not too busy for cookies. The story is a twist on a folk tale. Green Bunny is real however. First, he was a dream. Then he became a green fleece stuffed animal for a child. Now he has a life of his own.
The illustration is done in gouache and ink.