Hello there!
I know things are sleepy around these parts and all my dispatches are just little bits of process and/or odds and ends. But I am working so hard behind the scenes (much of it semi-secret), bits and odds and ends are all I can muster.
This is a little peek behind the curtain of work for my next picture book. I love looking at things like this, love looking at sketches next to final art, or in this case, pencil sketch next to color sketch.
Usually, I just make a pencil sketch and then transfer that to my
painting surface and start painting. Since working on picture books, though,
I've started using a middle step - color sketches. While they
aren't necessary for every single illustration, they come in handy at all sorts
of times. For instance, if you want to be sure everyone's on the same
page about the feeling (dark? chipper? dreamy?) the color will impart to
the illustration. Or sometimes, it's just difficult to show what you're imagining in grey shades alone.
They also come in really handy to experiment with and plan colors ahead of time on a small, quick little practice run (this is probably the best and most useful reason.)
There will be so much to share soon, a whole series of new work for my show at October at Land, excitement around the release of Dream Animals (also in October!)
See you soon!