Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Beginnings

I love seeing other people's sketches for things, so thought I'd share some of mine.
These are the very first, first, first, rough, rough, rough idea sketches for a new project.

I love when its almost like you're doing 'automatic drawing' - you know, like automatic writing (not that I've ever done that) where you just let whatever wants to come out, come out.


How to stage things - 
Sometimes you see things in your head one way, then have to fiddle with it a bit to make it better.
Here I first "saw it" as the kitty looking in the cupboard from a 'straight on' back view with him standing on a little wooden stool, then decided a slight angle and a step stool were more interesting.


Here they're doing things to pass the time ~




The main task at hand ~



This is actually the first scene ~


Better not say too much more or I'll give it all away!

These obviously have a long way to go, but getting the first idea and gesture and staging is huge.
After that, the refining and finishing is a lot of work too, but I'm always relived to at least know what I'm going to draw.

4 comments:

Cathy Morrison said...

Paula, I really like your sketches. Is this going to be a new book? Are you writer/illustrator? It looks like a lot of fun.

Also, great work on the cheesy lettering below. I haven't been to your blog in awhile and I need to check in more often. You've been busy.

Teresa Mallen said...

Hi Paula, such lovely sketches, great fun to see drawings from the very beginning stages. I can't say that I draw automatically but I do colour with my cps automatically. At least something flows. :-)

CC said...

The first sketch instantly made me think how much easier it would be to draw cleaning out a cupboard than actually doing it..... Time for my meds? ;~)

Always enjoy your sketches and seeing what comes of them.

Unknown said...

It's really interesting to see how you plan your illustrations like that! And from just that basic sketch you make the most beautiful details piece of artwork! Thanks for sharing part of your process. I'd like to see the whole step by step for turning one of those sketches into the finished piece.