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And a little behind-the-scenes process work:
First, after trying to start three times before, I finally decided to center the image on the road runner. I'd had a lot of fun drawing him for my card two years ago and I'd already had a special rubber stamp made of him, so I would get to use it again:
These two images give an idea of how I build illustrations - I start with rough sketches. If I get something I like, I scan and piece together an overall layout template to use to either transfer or as a light-table guide. In this case I had to transfer the old-fashion graphite way, because the paper I did the final drawing on was ultra-thick (I mean NO LIGHT was getting thru that sucker).
I also had to plan for the paper-punched layered star (fixed in place with a gold brad), which looks like a moon in this template.
At this point, I was still going for 3 road runners. I eventually decided against the 3rd because I didn't like the way his beak stuck into the back of the front road runners head and two seemed enough to communicate the message of loved ones and/or friends.
BTW, the mountain range in the background is the actual Sandia Mountain Range, as viewed overlooking Albuquerque.
My sketchbook page of swatches and notes… trying to decide what colors to use, materials, trying out stamp colors, etc.
This is the the final illustration with no digital adjustments, straight-up scan.
These two images give an idea of how I build illustrations - I start with rough sketches. If I get something I like, I scan and piece together an overall layout template to use to either transfer or as a light-table guide. In this case I had to transfer the old-fashion graphite way, because the paper I did the final drawing on was ultra-thick (I mean NO LIGHT was getting thru that sucker).
My sketchbook page of swatches and notes… trying to decide what colors to use, materials, trying out stamp colors, etc.
This is the the final illustration with no digital adjustments, straight-up scan.
Just 4 shopping days left until Christmas, have you hung your stockings by the chimney with care? Mine aren't… and probably won't be, but that doesn't mean I don't like them. Christmas stockings have gotten so much more fun and individualized since I was a kid. They've practically become works of art. Anyway, they are always significant & fun christmas icons.
In keeping with the holiday theme, here is one of the more fun and unusual themes I've been asked to work on. I love drawing animals, but since scrapbookers usually scrapbook about people-activities, I don't often get to draw them for sticker projects. I was actually really surprised how closely they followed the original sketch on this. So cute & fun!
It's December, and that means everywhere you turn you are bombarded with Christmas: decorations, shopping, music, food… and candy! I've actually never been a huge fan of peppermint candies, but they sure are pretty. I will say, my favorite winter treat is mint-cocoa… not the same, but close enough. ;) 