I finished off my hedgehogs and panda on Monday, although I'm still not sure whether to add the white spine tips to the hedgehogs: it's one of those situations where I could ruin things, or it might be the perfect touch. Will come back to that one I think.
Here's panda. I wasn't sure what colour to do the food, but wanted it bright against the bear, so went for a strawberry colour in the end, which will work better once the pink paper is replaced:
I got very grumpy on Monday though, because the weather was so irritatingly 'on and off'.
My desk sits under big, south-facing, Velux windows, so the sun can be tricky. Not a problem if it's properly sunny, as I can drag the desk out of the sun and it's still light enough. But Monday was one of those 'bright sun, dark cloud, bright sun, dark cloud' days, on and off at five minute intervals for most of the day. Baby Goes Grrrrrrrrrr........
At least Tuesday was just plain old 'overcast and vaguely drizzly' - horrible for most people, but fine for me. I got stuck into one of the 'spreads'. There are only 3 pages that are designed to work across the double page as continuous spread illustrations; the bunny and slug is one, this naughty frog and his friends is another, incorporating 3 letters in one:
The idea was to make the paint colour a darker shade of the final background colour (that we'll drop in afterwards), so it won't be too powerful and compete with the animals and text. Which meant I had to commit to a background colour up front. Mostly, I just do what feels right colour-wise, and worry about the background colours later.
I decided on blue, as it's a colour that seems to work well behind a wide range of other colours. Plus I knew it would look great with a green and yellow frog:
I gave him orange trousers, so the overall effect wouldn't be too cool.
As the text is not to be hand-drawn, I'll have to do the paint that's splashed on the letters later, in Photoshop (just like the pink food that will be splodged on the type in the panda illustration). That should be fairly easy, as I can 'grab' the textured blue form where the paint has spilled in the floor.
OK, it's crocodiles today and it's looking to be sunny again...
11 comments:
looking good, Lady. Might be the way my screen's set up, but the eyes of the panda blend in slightly to his eye patches on here. Was thinking a tiny white highlight below the crease of his eyes would sort that. But, as I said, could just be my 'puta's a bit dark!
xxx
I love Mr Frog. He made me laugh out loud when I saw him. The trousers with the side cut legs are ingenious. He looks so full of mischief and fun that he could be closely related to Toad of Toad's Hall!
Just had another look at the Panda and I agree with Cassia. I can't see it's eyes at all. they do blend in with the patches.
I too love Mr Frog! Until I came across your blog I never realised how much work is put into a childrens book. so reading your blog has been a real eye opener for me!
But I must say that I really love your work, and all the thought that you put into it!
Thanks guys.
Yes, you're right about the eyes, now I look at it again. It's not as bad as it looks here, but they could do with strengthening. Good idea about the highlight Cass - thanks! It's partly also because I've not yet had the courage to 'fix' them, after which the black lines can also be reasserted more powerfully.
Wooow! Wonderful illustrations, Lynne!!
I love seeing how these illustrations develop, you are so clever! Pink food on the panda and blue paint on a frog - so imaginative.
I just love that bouncy frog.
I am glad he isn't leaving his blue footprints all over my desk though :o)
Gorgeous work. Your frog is so delightful. Great character just like the rest. But I do love that frog. Makes me laugh. Kids will love him.
I love the hedgehoges. Especially those spines showing through mister's trousers. Very cute :-)
Great to see the next stages, nice to see the panda finished after the half way stage.
They are lovely solid cuddlable drawings :)
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