It’s incredible how quickly I lose interest in my own
illustrations. I go through phases of having a good flow going and feeling
really inspired. Other times I finish an illustration and don’t even like it or
I look back at my work a few weeks later and I can see mistakes or I look at it
and think I could have don’t this bit better or that better.
I have been trying to do a series of illustrations in a children’s
book style for a story I have in my head. When I sketched this character I was
trying to go for a very cute, naive style. This is not my natural drawing
style. My mind always wants to try and make objects or people look realistic.
But I am trying to stray away from that and draw in a more loose childlike
style.
For this illustration I was trying to mimic the style of the
first character. I suppose I am inspired by my own childhood as I remember
always loving wandering through the woods. I love old folklore and tales of
trolls and fairies.
This is the first version. For this I used fine liners,
watercolours and pencils. I’m not so keen on the colour scheme in this one, it
just doesn’t look right. I like the way the grass turned out though. In the second version I decided to change the trees and add a bit more detail, which I think looks much better. But I’m
glad I decided to have another go at it. I feel like the second version turned
out better although I’m still not 100% happy with it.
At the moment my plan is to keep working on my water colour skills and sketch sketch sketch!
