llustration: Process

Process

I will be talking about the many steps that i have developed over my years of doing illustrations.I have also just finished this illustration of the Hoeta Twins andi thought it will be a good chance to show my process of making these illustrations The programs that i use to design and illustrate are Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. I will be getting into detail and sharing what did work and what didn't.

This screen shot shows how i use the real image as a guide to draw over and create that cartoon look for my illustration. Opacity and Layers play a big role in the programs that make it easy work with.

Using the image as a guideline i then adjust the opacity to soften the real image, this gives me a chance to choose what i can use in my drawings. I then outline switching from sizes that will look realistic. Creating a new layer underneath the black lines will make the illustration more consistent. Following the shades and highlights from the original photo can be good to follow.

Both images are now done i do a few highlights and adjustments. adding some colours to perfect the illustration. From there i add background and text to complete the process. Because their twins and their both boys i look for a warm colour, and a colour that will not take the attention away from the boys. I wanted to experiment with a frame around the illustration and a banner to put the text inside.

I like the frame and how everything is placed on this illustration. It creates that space where you see the bond that they have for each other. i also did two versions of this illustration only because i couldn't decide on what i want to send to the mother of these kids.

What Worked?

The tones, shades and highlights in this illustration was a good step for me that i didn't realise i developed. 

What Didn't Work?

I made Two finals of this illustration and it was hard to choose because i experimented with the frame and banner and i liked it but the bottom image without the frame is what i always do.

What Next?

Practice more on the volume of my illustrations and developing different techniques.