I illustrate quite a few books each year but I hardly ever get to show you guys the development process that goes into it. Most things are under contract and I can’t show them until they’ve been published (sometime that can take up to a year). Like most artist and illustrators I have about a thousand personal projects I’m working on at any given time. The nice thing about personal projects is, aside from being great fun, I can show the work whenever I like. I thought it might be fun to show you one I’m working on right now.
Step one for me is character development and model sheets. The two sort of go hand in hand. I prefer making model sheets for my characters. Even though it might seem like a little extra work it saves me time later and keeps me from making mistakes.
Character development begins with a sketchbook and whatever information I have about the story I’ll be working on….usually some kind of manuscript and or character descriptions. I begin by simply reading the manuscript. I always read it straight through the first time, no notes, no sketchbook then I read it again with a pencil and a sketchbook. The second time I read I take notes and do a bit of scribbling. Who are the main characters, what age group is this for, what is the mood? I try to address as many questions as I can up front. It helps me get a clearer picture in my head.
After I’ve read and understand the manuscript I like to get in touch whoever I’ll be working with on the project usually and art director or designer, sometimes even the author. You can pick up so much more with a simple conversation then you ever can by just reading the manuscript or a list of character descriptions. I always take notes when discussing the project. There is just way too much info to trust to memory.
Once I have everything I need I grab my trusty sketchbook and begin sketching. I usually do several sketch variations for each character. Occasionally I’ll add a few poses as well. When I’m happy with the results I send them off to for review. Sometimes we get them on the first try other times it takes a few more sketches. It all depends on the client and the project.
Here are the beginning stages of a project I’ve been working on. This is an example of the sketch/model sheet stage.
