Get the picture

Boom Bah! took me three months to complete. This may seem like a long time to spend illustrating a 32 page picture book but in actual fact it was fast going.

I'll show you the process that I used illustrating 'A bell, a tin, some lids, a cup. Ting! Tong! warming up'.

Thumbnails not fingernails!

Before I concentrate on an individual illustration I like to get a visual overview of the entire story.

These tiny sketches are called thumbnails. After reading the story a couple of times I immediately jot down any ideas that pop into my head.Its like taking notes - visually.

Here are my very fthumbnails for BOOM BAH! A lot of the illustrations hardly changed at all, from the original thubnail to the final artwork.

A closer look

Here is my original thumbnail sketch for:
'A bell, a tin, some lids, a cup. Ting! Tong! warming up.'

You can see that I have established the beginnings of characters holding the various objects, marching in single file from left to right

Bringing character's to life

After reading the story and sketching the thumbnails, it's important to become familiar with the characters.

By looking at these quick sketches, you can see how I'm starting to develop the various characters.

You can see first hand the development of the white mouse. My first drawings shows the white mouse holding a bell in her hand, by making a small adjustment by attaching the bell to the end of a small stick I've created a bigger sense of marching band leader.

Get the picture

Using my thumbnails as a guide, I draw up a double page spreads onto A4 sized paper. These larger drawings allow me to add more detail but are not too big to bog me down. This size is also very practical for scanning and emailing.

Looking at this drawing, you can see that I've become more familiar with the characters. I've also rearranged the animals. The illustration reads from left to right.

Inside out

I've decided to have the animals inside the kitchen. To bring the scene indoors, I've adding a skirting board, a door and a couple of tins of food.

The publisher suggested that I introduce a second mouse to act as the narrator. As well as narrator, this second mouse helps gather the crowd (including the reader) to join in with the band.

Hello goat!

This story is all about building momentum and sound, to show this visually, I introduce each animal one by one.

The goat doesn't feature till the next page however,
I decide to introduce him on this spread. I draw the goat's head poking his head through the kitchen door.

It was decided that this cut- through-view was too complicated for the younger viewer.

The complete picture

I draw the scene again. This time showing only the goats head poking through the door. I've also moved the box into the kitchen (setting up the goats instrument for later in the story). With these final changes, the visual story is now starting to come together and I'm pretty happy with the layout.

I enlarge my A4 drawing to the actual size of the book. (With the more detailed illustrations I would continue drawing in detail at this larger size).

Colouring in

Using a light pencil, I trace the sketch onto a sheet of watercolour paper.

It's been about two months since I started work on this book and now, finally I'm ready to get my paints out. Using a large brush I apply watercolour, making an effort not to overwork my illustration.

Once I finish my wash I stand back and take a look. At this stage the hen is worrying me, I can't quite put my finger on it, so I decide to continue.

On the line

Using a conté pencil, I draw the outlines of my illustration. I like to work quickly, insuring my line work stays fluid and rhythmic.

Even after the line work is complete, the hen is still irritating me. She's looking too heavy, wooden and stiff. I think I have overworked her and decide to do this illustration again.

Try and try again

I go back to my original sketches and see what I can find.

I find this hen from my earlier sketches. I redraw the entire illustration, replacing the old hen with a similar pose taken from this new hen.

Knowing when to stop

I'm much happier with my new hen.

After about four days work the colour picture is finally complete.

I now only have 14 more pictues to do.