IF - Mermaid

Mermaid

This is my illustration for Illustration Friday's topic 'Mermaid'.  It started as a rough scribbly silhouette in pencil that I liked so I scanned it in and finished it up in Photoshop.  I'm trying to do illustrations faster, so I didn't go in to much detail.  

When I think of 'mermaid', I immediately think of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' (which according to my mum is the first movie I saw at the cinema) so it is no surprise that it kinda looks like Ariel.  

The Rough Sketch

Peace Lily

I always end up drawing the plant that sits next to my desk when I want to play around with digital painting and sketching.  So here is a quick sketch I just did in Photoshop.

My Peace Lily

You'll notice it has no flowers.  In fact it has only produced one flower since I got it.  I think that means it's unhappy, but not sure.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

During my visit to the Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh I did some quick sketches of faces from the portraits taken by the American artist Taryn Simon.  Here they are.

IF - Heart

'Heart'

I really wanted to create an illustration that tells a story and shows my influences from Disney character designers and animators.  They use a variety of mediums so well to create deceptively simple-looking but powerful character designs.  

IF - Pointy

Pointy

I wanted to experiment with a crisper, cleaner illustration style, as opposed to my usual, slightly messy approach.  I also wanted to simplify my message as I have a tendency to over complicate.  So here is my submission for illustration friday 'Pointy'.

My Sketchbook

It's been a couple of months since I posted anything and I haven't done any illustration projects since college finished but that doesn't mean I haven't been drawing.

So here are a few pages from my sketchbook.

Self-Portrait

My Window

Umbrella Plant

Mug

Jar and Glass

Peace Lily

Glass on table

I think it's important to keep drawing from life, even if (like me) it is just around the house.  I also think it's interesting to see the difference in how I draw and what I use, depending on my mood.  

Development Work

I think its always interesting to see how illustrators get to their final illustrations, and I find it really helpful to understand an illustrators process.

Here are some sketches, drawings and scribbles that show the development of my college project from concept to final.

Location Sketches

The first stage was to gather as much information on the subject.  Through observational drawing, research, reading.  The more information the better, obviously!

People Sketching

Monoprints

Ink drawings

Thumbnail ideas

Map research and sketches

Front Cover Options

Colour trial of monoprint

Final illustration

Final Map illustration