The Process of Making an Illustration

Here's a quick video I did explaining the initial steps to making an illustration, including word lists, character studies, thumbnails, and maquettes. For a really great reference on how professionals do these techniques, I recommend 'Imaginative Realism' by James Gurney, or visit his blog at gurneyjourney.blogspot.com

The story is 'The Ransom of Red Chief' by O. Henry

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[HaleyMary]

Neat process. Reminds me a bit of what I had to do for a theater class one semester. How long did it take to get the whole thing put together?

[huxtiblejones]

@HaleyMary I've been working for about a week and a half starting with the sketches, the model itself is one day of work, will probably take one more to finish. Then I just set it up and shoot it with a bunch of different lights and start doing value studies as well as color studies. After we get those approved, we make the final alterations and then progress to the final. It typically takes about three times as long to get started as it does to actually do the final!

[tepeltje]

Do you learn this kind of process on school? I never learned that kind of thing (in the Netherlands) If I would have to make a sculpture every time I have to make an illustration, it would cost me so much time, I don't know. Is this something you HAVE to do because of your assignment? I'm really curious about it. P.s. I'm an illustrator.

[furyberserk]

Once you said super bratty, I remembered the story, at leas a poem or a summary of it and it was the one thing that changed my perspective on people. 1 of the only things that I've read and wanted to remember :D

[DzzO]

man, you are crazy! I can't believe you did a little model! incredible. I reeeeally want to see how this turned out!

[scibotic]

Nice summary, thanks for sharing.

[cloudsurfer007]

WELL DONE~MODEL WAS GREAT

[xwidget]

I think any creative endeavor benefits from exploring all ideas through limited development. The early stages can be frustrating. It seems like floundering because progress isn't linear. I like the bad cork analogy. It's very important to explore everything to eliminate the chaff.

Success probably depends more on thorough work at the beginning since it forms the foundation for what is to follow.

Interesting insight into the process of developing meaningful imagery. Thanks