Thought I'd dedicate this weeks challenge to my brother who thought he was capable of everything and anything when he was just a boy (of course, wearing a cape always helped...). I remember spending a lot of time in the waiting room of Emergency at the local hospital! It seemed that he wasn't quite as capable as he thought, especially when it came to being a super hero... (xo DJ)
 |
| Capable - even the rubber duck's not sure about this one! Sketched by hand using 2B pencil and then scanned onto the Mac and digitally coloured. Background has sepia filter applied to give it a hot Aussie summer feel - the swing set would literally be burning hot to touch... |
This sketch changed so many times! Here is how it started...
 |
| Initial sketches - originally the boy was going to be jumping off a diving board wearing a cape, goggles and snorkle, into an Olympic swimming pool. Then it changed to jumping off a plank of wood on top of a shed and into a wash tub. Finally he had ditched the snorkle and was jumping off the top of the swing set and into a rather small blow up pool! His legs also grew along the way... |
For this illustration, I actually drew all the elements separately (due to the fact that I couldn't make up my mind...) and when I was happy with each element, then pieced them together in Photoshop. This saved redrawing the entire thing every time I changed something (which was numerous times!). The finished sketch ended up looking like this...
 |
| Finished sketch - composed of 4 separate sketches pieced together in PShop. Have to say that this illo just didn't happen as easily as some others BUT I got there in the end! |
Well, my brother did not wear a cape but we lost count of the number of stitches he'd had. Much as I fear for this poor lad's life, the illustration has such a sweet, whimsical quality. Great process shots and explanation, too!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks Cindy - you're quick - I haven't got around to adding it to IF yet! Thought I better add the process pics this week to show the struggle... ;)
ReplyDeleteWell done! While you are having your summer we have snow here in Utah! This does look like a stunt a boy would try without thinking it through...like the cape will make a difference!
ReplyDeleteThanks Patricia! The power of imagination is a very powerful force when you're a kid - shame it isn't real though...
DeleteIt turned out great! Thank you for sharing your process :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Hannah :)
DeleteNoooo, don't do it! Oh man, I can see my son attempting something like this too. This is really great! Love the process shots too, especially the scuba mask. I understand the hazy, hot summers. The slides here in Phoenix will burn your bum a few months of the year.
ReplyDeleteOH yeah... I forgot about how hot the slippery dips (slides) get in summer! Thanks for reminding me (and for your comment) - info stored away for future use... ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your process Karen... its a lovely illo...
ReplyDeleteand yes it makes me also go 'eeek' like the lil ducky looking at ur naughty lil brother...
That duck is about to fly...
DeleteHahaha, that's funny! Totally fearless. Boys. I love the little ducky looking up!
ReplyDeleteBoys will be boys - or dare devils? ;D
ReplyDeletewonderful to see your process, you've chosen a good viewpoint - clothes maketh the boy eh, unfortunately what goes for capes also hold true for hospital gowns :) hope you aren't under water there in the mountains -here in Newie the ocean is getting closer every day :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew! This one was a challenge but got there in the end. We've had so much rain here everythnig is overflowing and the ground is sloshy - to think a few years ago we had a drought!
ReplyDeleteI sooo love this one!! And to see the sketches, always pure joy when illustrators post them!! There is something about the spirit there that really transcend trough the finish piece. And the final is brilliant, both the idea and the technique!! :) So glad you stopped by my site so I could find your great work!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMprotingrasne1990 Andrea Richman Crack
ReplyDeletehandsosicount