An illustration begins with an idea. Sometimes
the client will provide one, sometimes they ask for my help.
In this case Art Director Susan Randle asked for ideas. One
of my concepts
for this cover was that of a pirate benevolently sharing a
bounty of games. The comp at left was the one which was selected
to start the process.
The comp at right represents the several rounds
of visual conversation which take place between the art director
and myself as we work out detail, placement and color balance.
The pirate character
was based on old illustrations of the legendary 18th century
Blackbeard. I built up the pencil drawing on a light table
then transferred it to illustration board, then scanned it.
At this point a precise drawing isn't my goal. I'm after the
texture of pencil on paper to use in the pirate's skin and
clothing later when I "paint" in Photoshop.
Believable distortion to some of the surface
details, like the numbers on the pool ball was achieved with
Adobe Dimensions.
Many of the individual elements
were first drawn in Adobe
Illustrator. As you can see in these chessmen, at this point,
I'm still not terribly concerned with detail.
Once all of the individual elements
were created I "painted" each one in Photoshop.
Here the detail was added along with specific surface texture
but only general lighting. Later they were all assembled into
a high resolution Photoshop document for environmental lighting
and shadows.
The final illustration with title.
Title design by David Serrano.
Scroll down to see some of the tools
used to create this illustration.
Tools
of The Digital Illustrator
The
Car. No matter what they say about digital connectivity,
sometimes you just have to get your butt in the car and
go there.
Bonded
Pencil. Not long ago it was considered "high
tech." It's probably one of the most important developments
of the 19th century. Now it's just a pencil. But I doubt
it will ever be obsolete.
Cell
Phone. Because the client will absolutely need
to reach you when you aren't there.
Scanner.
It enables me to draw things in pieces then assemble them
digitally. It's a lot easier to revise and edit art now.
I can grab stuff, copy stuff and forge stuff. Um ... never
mind that last one.
Graphics
Work Station. An expensive monitor, maxed out memory
and extra everything else.
Graphics
Software. On this job: Photoshop Adobe Illustrator
and Adobe Dimensions (which isn't really pro level 3D
software but why break out Strata for a few cue balls?)
Light
Table. They can cost as much as a car. But they
last longer and get better mileage.
Digital
Drawing Tablet. The modern pencil - which will
never replace the real thing. But it's still pretty cool.
