Digital Felt

When I first started illustrating with felt, I did everything traditionally. I loved working this way but always had a yearning to work digitally. But, I just didn't know where I fit in that realm. It took some time (years) but I eventually developed a digital method that reflected my felt style. I love working this way! I have more freedom with colors and it has helped me immensely as far as flexibility when it comes to revisions/deadlines.

I thought I'd share the process with you.

First, of course, comes the sketch. Here is a doggie from a project I worked on recently.

I take my sketch into photoshop and block out the colors using the pen tool. These colors are not set in stone and are there really just as a marker for when I "felt" the illustration in the next step. 

After the colors are blocked in,  I "felt" the picture. My files get very large because I have every part of the dog on a separate layer. I take my scanned pieces of felt ( I have a folder full of felt swatches) and replace the colored areas with it. 

At this point, I add a drop shadow to each layer and that's when it takes on the depth of my traditional felt. 

And here he is all finished. After I add the drop shadows, I go over the top with "stitches" and other little digital touches (like blushing the cheeks). It's funny, I always leave the faces til last when I'm working. For me, that's when the image really comes to life and is done. I like to save the best for last, I guess.  :o)