Keeping My Focus on a Multiple Piece Project

[RG Spaulding]

@TessaW , WOW! Amazing light and shadow. What type of brush do you use for the shadows and light? That was my question in another thread!
Do you do B&W before you add color? I know there was a class on SVS or a youtube from Will Terry on that but I can't seem to figure out which one it is. I need to retake that lesson.

[TessaW]

For the value sketch I used Sam Nielson's "Captured Bristle" brush, it has a slight gritty texture. http://artsammich.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-kind-of-brushes-did-you-use-for.htmlI It's in his base set.

I generally put in a solid base down, and then work in the shadows and light with the brush. For this study, I but down a lighter solid base for the areas affected by the window light, and a darker solid base for the foreground shadow areas. If I need soft transitions, I generally make the brush large and use very soft pressure. For harder lines, I use a little more pressure. I am constantly color-picking back and forth between the light side and the dark side, painting until I get the edge I want. Sometimes I will use the eraser to go back in and sharpen edges or soften transitions, but you have to be on a separate layer for this.

Here's some short videos that explain the two processes I use for my value sketches.

First shows using the color-picker to get different edges:
https://www.ctrlpaint.com/videos/paint-blending-practice

Second is using brushes and erasers.
https://www.ctrlpaint.com/videos/hard-and-soft-shadow-edges
https://www.ctrlpaint.com/videos/brush-technique-hard-and-soft

I just use b&w for a study and don't go over top with colors. It's not an intuitive way for me to work, so I just go straight into color, using the black and white study to keep my values in check.

[RG Spaulding]

@TessaW , Thanks for the links. I am still learning a lot. If you ever do a time-lapse video of your drawing process please tag me. Or if you know someone else who has a time-lapse video of the drawing and coloring process let me know. I like to be a fly on the wall and observe. Thanks for the links. I will definitely check them out.

[TessaW]

@RG-Spaulding Ok! I'll keep you in mind.

Another value sketch for the next piece. I'm holding off on the architectural details until I get more solid on what I'll be doing with some of the other pieces.

[TessaW]

Currently trying to decide on the comps for #3 and #4.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@TessaW these are so beautiful. Your thumbnails alone are so interesting. I’d love to see what you come up next.

[RG Spaulding]

@TessaW Beautiful thumbnails. Now I want to read the book!

[TessaW]

I've posted these in another thread, but like to keep everything here to see it come together. I decided to go in a different direction. Instead of all full bleed illustrations, I want to have more variety of format and interacting with text. I also want to leave a little more to the imagination as that's how it would be for an actual middle grade book- but I will probably still give more information than average.

[dickdavid]

I love this thread and all the work you put into this. Thanks for sharing.

[K. W.]

Love this project and the story concept! It’s looking awesome, and I’m excited to follow your process.

[BichonBistro]

@TessaW so great!

[Laurel Aylesworth]

WOW is all I can muster. This is awesome. If you're still looking for help in middle grade reference, Kelly Murphy and Poly Bernatene are a couple of my favorites.

[TessaW]

@dickdavid @K-W @BichonBistro

Thank you guys so much for the encouragement!

@Laurel-Aylesworth Ooo, awesome, thanks for the recommendations. I hadn't really heard of them before, but looking at some of their art, one of their pieces was already in my pinterest mood board for this series.

[TessaW]

Just putting these here to document!

[TessaW]

I've been a slooooow worker.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@TessaW That’s alright. We still love your work. Keep em comin

[Coreyartus]

This is all gorgeous, @TessaW! Keep up the good work!! It's coming together!!!

[TessaW]

Thank you @Nyrryl-Cadiz and @Coreyartus for the encouragment! You guys are sweet.

[TessaW]

Got another sketch done last night!

[TessaW]

Alright, I'm trying to wrap up the final paintings. Still have to construct a spot illustration, but the rest are in the painting stages. Trying to get them all 80-90% done and then will go through them all to refine and adjust overall values. Here are 4 out of 6 in various stages of finish.