This process is really long and tedious. I don’t understand why I am making so much work for myself….except, I started with this idea and I can’t break the mold now. When you have high resolution images, bottom line is that it is what you need to publish your work.
I first do a pen and ink with fine line nib on to bristol paper, which is great for detail. If I am happy with that, then I transfer that drawing to a heavy watercolor paper. I am using my 12″x16″ light table to make the transfer. I am doing this with a thicker nib and heavy emphasis lines are darkened to balance the amount of black on the page.
Then I scan the b&w into a large scanner and upload the b&w to my online store. When I have the new darker black and white on watercolor paper, I paint it. The composition defines whether or not I leave a lot of background white in the image or paint it in.
I have been playing with gouache and my usual clear watercolors, which is either Winsor and Newton or Maimeri Blue. Why do this complex process? I have learned a lot by this process. It is remarkable how if you discipline yourself, you can accomplish a lot. These drawings are giving me a lot of pleasure. I can’t wait to get to a place when I can assemble them into some kind of storyboard book.
I studied this book building and illustrating in 1988 with Uri
Schulevitz but here I am now, so many years later, actually stepping into scary waters with a style that is actually the first one I adopted such a long time ago. I discipline myself to doing 3 things every day, studying Spanish, working on the treadmill and drawing and/or painting. I actually am very satisfied doing these activities.
I hope people will enjoy what I have to say. My story really never changes. It’s only the way of telling it that is new.
You can find my art here.
Painting Mexico 