How I approach sketching
I am convinced daily sketching is very important for every illustrator. The process that happens before the final illustration emerges and that takes a lot of time and practice is something others do not see. When I attended the Make Art That Sells (MATS ICB7) course with Lilla and Zoë, I learned a lot. I am not the type of illustrator who carries a sketchbook and draws everywhere. Well, I do have it with me, but I cannot draw just anywhere. I am usually distracted quickly by outside factors and honestly I feel huge pressure if people watch me. So I prefer to photograph things that excite me and make the sketches later when I am in my calm, creative, relaxing environment.
How my illustrations are created
Usually the whole process goes in the following steps: in a sketchbook (that does not look very pretty) I draw very rough sketches and other ideas I want to create. Sometimes I also write the ideas down. In the sketchbook I also note all the writings when I research various topics. It all looks very messy so I do not like to show the sketchbooks to others. I mostly use a graphite pencil. After I decide how I want to include my ideas and research on paper I sketch everything again from the start. The sketches basically look like small vignettes. They are tidy, coloured and full of detail. For them I usually use high quality paper because I want to know how the colour will behave on the finished piece. When it is time to paint the illustration I base it on the drawing in the sketchbook. I usually change shapes and colours but the base stays the same. Now you understand better how my illustrations come to life.
A very good motivation for sketching, for gaining new ideas or for breaking a creative block is taking part in various weekly, monthly or yearly prompts and challenges such as Inktober, 100dayproject, DTIYS, Folktaleweek etc.
