A Quick Step By Step
A little run through of my latest illustration!
I’m super busy as the deadline for my current book draws nearer by the minute so I haven’t had as much time to devote to this week’s newsletter as I’d like. But! I still had time to do some illustrations - little things to just wind down at the end of the work day - and thought it’s been a while since I’ve done a step-by-step!
So here’s a short walk through of one of the illustrations I managed to get done this week. Grab some chocolate and let’s get drawing!
Step by Step
I did this quick little illustration in Procreate.
Rough sketch!
Lines
On a new layer, I draw over my rough sketch, finessing the lines as I go, adding weight and indicating shadow. I want the lines to be clear, and flow with a nice rhythm (straight vs curves).
Base colour
On a layer below the lines, I colour in the entire drawing with one solid colour - this makes it easiest to select everything as the illustration develops.
Flat colour
Above the base, I colour in the image just like I would a colouring book! Filling each shape with the colours I want.
Lighting!
The most fun part! Nothing dramatic with this one, kept it simple. Above the colours, I create a new layer and set it as a clipping mask. I set the layer to multiply and turn the opacity to 40/50%
And that’s it!
What I’m Working On
My deadline is May 1 so……😬. Getting there!
#MerMay is almost her eand I have started planning and doing some preliminary prep. I might be too ambitious in trying to tackle this story I’ve had in my head for years but I’m gonna try! Here’s an early drawing of the characters from 2021:
The first two chapters of Unicorn Death Drive are available! With Chapter 3 coming on Friday. If you want to get in on the man-eating unicorn action, find chapter 1 here and 2 here!
What I’m Reading
Triangle by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen - Picture book. My youngest’s favourite at the moment. We are reading it A LOT. I need to get the whole series.
Careless People by Sarah Wynne-Williams - I haven’t been able to tackle this one as quickly as I wanted to but I am about to have a lot more time once the book is wrapped up so I am excited to dive in to this memoir from a Meta insider.
That’s all from me! What are you reading?
You make it look so easy. It isn't quite that easy with my graphics app.
Fantastic and thanks for sharing your knowledge. I really like it, and you have a wonderful and easy way of teaching the skills. I have to say though, I am a little jealous 😏