February 28, 2012

The process

Well, finally I can show you my newest illustration, the book cover for the third volume of "Brigitte des coléres" by Jérôme Lafond. This time the publishing company comissioned me a custom watercolor, and I had to draw the main character, Brigitte, working on a butcher shop. I've taken photos of each step so you can see the process I follow. Pretty simple, you'll see :)
These are the fist rough sketches I sent to the art director, the first one on the left. I was aked to make her more girly and to add more meaty stuff. Once I had the ok, I started making the final drawing on watercolor paper.

I always use this Pentel 0.3mm mechanical drafting pencil, I've had it for ten years and it's still my favorite, I get the cleanest lines whit it. This time I used Fabriano Artistico Extra White paper, but I also like to use Canson illustration board.

They're not picture here, but I use Winsor & Newton Artists' Watercolor Pads and sometimes, when it's too hot and dry (very usual in Madrid) I use their blending medium because otherwise, the watercolor dries too quickly. I start randomly adding the first color washes, in this case I gave the background a slight, dirty white color wash.

This is still on the first wash part, but I've already added some shadows to the hair. Usually I'm pretty chaotic with this.

Here I've started adding details and shadows everywhere. You can also see my brushes, they're natural sable brushes made by Casa Pontes, the local art store where I like to buy my supplies. I have the whole range, but I mostly use the smallest ones since I tend to make my drawings tiny.

And here's the final illustration with all the details, shadows, etc. All there's left to do is to scan and clean the illustration, which is the most boring part. I forgot to take pictures of the scrap paper I have to try out the colors before painting, but overall, this is it!! I really hope you enjoyed this post, and I'd love to answer your questions if you have any :D

February 24, 2012

A few new things




A new case for my watercolors, the old one was getting too small. The first issue of Solo, the awesome zine by illustrator Lizzy Stewart. Salmon colored washi tape. Another film camera, the super compact Olympus MJU II, which is perfect to carry around in my small-ish bag. And a bow shaped hairpin.

I'm also knitting a custom designed sweater for a friend, you can see the swatch I knit here. But I still have to choose the fair-isle motives for the yoke.

And last, here'a a sneak peek of the new book cover I've been working on. Stay tuned to the blog because soon I'll be making a post with my watercolor illustration process. It's something I've been wanting to do for ages!