OKAY well it is T-minus 12 days to the book launch of True Blue Santa so it's about time for some FREEBIES!
Leave your comment on this post to go into the running for a copy signed by me and the author. As a bonus you will also get a pack of 4 True Blue Santa Christmas cards! The winner will be drawn Nov 7th so be quick!
Until then, you can download a colouring-in version of the illustration below. I will be offering a few more illos in this format so stay tuned between now and Xmas!
I took quite a few progress photos while illustrating the book and have been dying to show you my painting process.
This is one of my favourite paintings in the book, and the last double spread illo:
And here it goes from start to finish:
I sketch onto normal paper with a normal HB pencil. I will print out a frame for each spread at the book size so that I make sure I'm drawing to the right proportions. I erase and redraw a lot until I get it right. Then I scan it in and might touch it up a bit before I print it out at actual size.
I trace the sketch onto Arches cold pressed 300lb paper using my light box, tape it down to my artboard, then start painting!
I start first with the background. This is the funnest part really. I love big expansive washes. I leave spaces for all the foreground elements, making sure I fan out the background edges so I don't get any harsh lines (or I will soften these with some clean water if I do). I tend to work in sections.
More background work. Having fun with dabbing water on the paint while it is drying - creates some fun and completely uncontrollable effects, which is the thing I love the most about working in watercolours.
Switch to a different colour (I would change water/wash brushes at this point!)
And start filling in details.
More fun with backgroundy swirls and washes, the blank spot is where collage will go but I make sure to paint over those edges just in case I cut the collage paper slightly differently to my sketch.
Adding details and shading with coloured pencils. I currently use a mix of Faber Castell and Derwent but am considering a move to Prismacolours because they are softer.
Add in collage, some more coloured pencil on top of the collage, and voila! all done :-)
Hope you enjoyed a look into my process of painting. I'll post a few more of these in the lead up to the book launch and of course, Christmas!!
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28 comments:
Now something (call it experience) tells me that even with your beautiful step-by-step photographs, my illustrations won't turn out stunning or cute like yours are. LOVE your giraffe! And congratulations on the new PB. A wonderful achievement!!
you are just so clever ms kim! i can't wait to take the entire true blue santa journey - in the meantime though, colouring within the lines will just have to do.
my after school care kids would love a copy to accompany their colouring in sheets. i'll be picking up my very own at the launch on the 6th.
can't wait see you there. xx
What an amazing work,you have done well Kim,we are so happy for you and cant wait for the book launch!!! See you very soon!
Very cool - wow! Congrats on the book and thanks for the chance to win and the coloring page is fantastic! I love to see the process...interesting that you work dark to light...or maybe it's just outer to inner details...either way, cool to see how others work :)
Beautiful! Great to see photos of the process, Kim. I wish I was free enough to use washes; I have been trying! And yes, switch to prismacolours, they are fantastic. However I'm still devastated that they are not making their deco blue pencil any more. (if you find any stock of it, let me know!)
I can't wait to get this book Kimmi!!! xoxo
How fun. This book looks adorable. Thanks for sharing the process with us. I love your illustration style. Good luck with the book!! xo
Love to see your step-by-step...I'm learning a lot from you!
Great step-by-step Kim! I love to see other artists process! I REAAAALLY want to crack out my watercolours again! That illustration is fantastic and I love how you incorporate collage into it! I will check out my local Chapters for your new book! Will it be released in Canada around the same time? Congrats!! :)
Thanks Kat! yes the giraffe is a bit of a mascot for me. It has been great 'meeting' you of late!
Hi Kate (I am assuming ms. P? ) Can't wait to see you at the launch!
Thanks Sean/Cecile/Clay. Look forward to seeing you soon xo
Hi Linda, yes I do sometimes work dark to light which I know is strange in watercolours. Maybe it's because I come from an oils background. Glad you enjoyed seeing my process!
Thanks Marjory! I'll let you know about the Prismacolours!
Thanks sweet Ali xoxo
Heather and Carol N - glad you enjoyed the process and if you are learning something that's even better!
Hey Suzanne - I don't think it's going to be released overseas (not that I've heard of anyway) -- it's a very aussie book. I think the only way to get it is through the HarperCollins website. :-(
thanks for all your comments everyone! Very much appreciated and now you are all in the running! x
What a great book! Congratulations to you! I enjoyed seeing your process as well, thank you so much for sharing! :)
That was so great seeing your process in such detail! I'm quite amazed at how you do your background wash, and how you somehow get those areas to meet up in such soft washy ways without harsh lines or overlaps. (Something I still struggle with sometimes).
Pleeeaaase enter me in your giveaway! I would be so honoured to be the owner of a signed copy of your book!!!
I'm in!! So cool to see the step by step photos, Kim! How lucky are we to have a chance to win your book AND learn about your painting process?
Congratulations, how exciting!!!
congratulations on the book. thanks for sharing the step by step.
Thanks Christie! I always love it when artists share their process and I wanted to too!
Thanks Flossy - yes I still struggle with the washies sometimes too, but it's also the freest part of the painting which I love. Consider yourself entered! :)
Cheers Mon! Glad you enjoyed the process
Thank you kiriakivais!
I love the book! Congrats! The artwork is truly marvelous! Great job! An amazing achievement. this is such a clever idea! i love to see the step by step. am i right this is how to get a freebie possibly? you don't me, but i think your blog is fantastic! check out mine please...
I love seeing this! You must be thrilled about the book coming out. I can picture you painting a little, then taking a photo, then paint a little...:-) Thanks for taking out the time to do that, and of course- congrats again! Yay!!!!
I found your blog through Alicia Pardon's post about your book giveaway. Wow! What a treat! I love seeing an artist's process. Really stunning work! Congratulations on the new book release!!
You must be really looking forward to it's release. Hope the day goes well?
Thanks for showing us the process Kim! And congrats on the book! I'm so excited for you!
Thanks Phyllis - I know it was so sweet of Alicia to do that post, glad you found me :)
Thanks Michelle! Yes I'm so excited!!! Can't wait for the official launch...
thanks so much Loni!
I'm so excited that your launch day is almost here Kim! Big congrats & I hope Amazon US picks up your wonderful book! (I find some french childern's books on there sometimes.)
I love seeing your process. So beautiful!
Once again, you've left me feeling that I CAN DO THIS!! So just for that feeling, even if it ain't true, thank you. Oh, and my eyes want you to know that they love your creations! 8-)
Hey Kim, Outstanding and beautiful! See you saturday with my little Abby! I use primacolours and LOVE them- so much better than derwents i think.
Wow, you are just so talented!!
Oh to be able to create pictures like that.
That's so cool to post the step by step images. Love your color work. :) Congratulations on your book launch. You must be all excited. Hugs,
This is sooo cool! Congratulations!!
Congratulations on your book.That is something to be very proud of. That painting is really gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your process!
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