Summer Postcard Week!
© Alicia Padrón 2010
This image popped in my head while walking one morning. I was going to use another illustration that I thought would fit the theme very well but when I saw these two in my head I just had to start working on them as soon as I got home.
I adore Daddy and me and Mommy and me type of books. I'd love to get to illustrate one of them. There is something so special about that relationship. I don't know if it's because my kids are growing too fast but I just want to hold on to those moments. :o)
Someone on twitter asked us if we would share our process sometime so here is little about how I created this piece:
I sketched it my sketchbook at a smaller size. I tend to work small. Then thanks to the magic of photoshop I scan my sketch and make it the size I want. I also make sure to turn up the contrast a lot on the sketch so it prints dark, then it is easier to trace that way. I then print it and trace it on to my paper. In this case I used 140 lb hot pressed Arches watercolor paper.
When I am tracing on my light box I like to redraw rather than trace. That is why I usually leave my initial sketches very loose and I don't like to rework them. Just because I think something valuable is lost if reworking them too much.
Once the drawing is transfered, I first start painting the background. In this case the sky and water went on first. I used the wet on wet technique for this. I then painted the bears and the grass was the last thing. When the painting is completely dry I then shade with a graphite pencil on the areas needed.
After, I scan the art and add effects in photoshop. In this piece the effects in the water, little flowers and the dragonfly are all digital. I also tweak the color and saturation a little bit if the piece asks for it.
And there you go! Hope you and hopefully the publishers like it too. :o)
9 comments:
Its gorgeous Alicia, the publishers will love it!
And thanks so much for sharing your process, its always so interesting to see how other artists work, and achieve the final outcome.
At the moment I work traditionally but I would love to be able to add to it with the wonders of digital technology.
This is lovely. Love that you can't tell where the traditional ends & digital appears. Good luck with the Pubs - although how can they not love it.
This is a very sweet image! Thanks for sharing your process!
Great post Ali. I so get what you mean about redrawing rather than tracing. It's amazing how quickly you can lose the freshness of a drawing when you labor over it or try to trace it. I've always struggled with my comps looking fresher and more lively than the finishes. Crazy!
Thank you Kaili!I really think the computer offers a lot of advantages nowadays. But I do love to work traditionally too and get my hands dirty with paint, so this is a good combo for me. :o)
Thanks Di! I'm glad you think that way. My goal is always to have a traditional finished look, just use the digital aspect for my advantage. :o)
Thank you Tamara!
Thanks Deb! Yes, nothing more precious than a sketch. It is impossible to recreate it later. Something about the spontaneity of it that will always remain there on paper. :o)
Ali cat, this is just too precious for words. AS ALWAYS. =o)
Thank you Rozzita! :o)
Thanks for sharing your process. Found it interesting. The final illustration is adorable!
Thanks Susanne! Glad you enjoyed my little process explanation. ;o)
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