Such beautiful artwork, thank you for sharing. I am in the traditional then procreate camp too, but find I’m touching up less and less on procreate and really enjoying the loose-ness of traditional media and leaving ‘mistakes’ in a bit more.
Really looking forward to joining Folktale Week again this year, I really love it!
Yes, that's what I'm working toward, too! Although admittedly sometimes I get bored after laying down traditional color and jump over to digital before even attempting to lay down detail. I'm not sure yet if one process is better than the other. Traditional goes faster for me, but there's more clean up, so it might be a wash. It is nice to have reasonably "finished" originals though.
Beautiful post! I love your finished piece. I work in a similar way but more “chopped up” . I don’t trust myself to just work in one layer now, which is kind of sad… I always want to color correct. I don’t feel my traditional skills are up to par , though I used to work this way solely for a decade when I first started.
I love your easel. I need to check out getting one!
Haha isn't that always the way? I got so used to digital that I feel less confident with traditional despite drawing with actual materials for ages. But I'll keep practicing. I'm already feeling much better about it after a few months.
Gosh the painting is beautiful 😍 thanks for sharing the art board thing, something I really need to be thinking about. I’m gonna try and join in with folktale week for the first time. Be good to try something new.
So good to see your process Jennifer. I have never been brave enough to go traditional for PB works. The fear of changes is real and I am not there yet, not yet confident to make changes and move around things if required. How do you do that? Do you scan them in on different layers? How?
I'm a bit lucky in that I was a designer before this so I've been using Photoshop and similar programs for ages. It can be tedious to make changes to traditional art, but it's all doable. Maybe I could share my process with edits...
This was a really interesting read, Jennifer. I have just started using traditional media a bit and it's been helpful to hear about your process. I might buy that desk easel ! I didn't know about your dad but I hope he is well xxx
I've done that from time to time, too, but less and less these days. Generally I head straight to Procreate for anything particularly elaborate. I'm too attached to those undos!
Thank you for this wonderful post, Jennifer. I am so glad to hear that your dad is doing better. Beautiful personal work and I am so excited about Folktaleweek. 7 years. It's like a decade. I would love to know how you scan your work. Do you have a tip for a scanner? Unfortunately, the video is not available to be watched in Germany. 🤷♀️ I have no idea why
Oh that's annoying. I imagine if you search for Mr. Bean Steak Tartare, you'd find it. I actually was reminded of this scene last summer when I was in Berlin. I think the TV in the hotel room defaulted to Mr. Bean episodes which was perfect because it doesn't need translation.
I have the Epson V600 scanner, which is an upgrade over my last one (I think it was a Canon?). It's not big enough for my artwork, so I do multiple scans and use Affinity Photo (or Photoshop) to auto-stitch them together. I initially wanted to get a large-format scanner, but they're REALLY expensive if you want the same quality. I had to choose between size and quality, and opted for quality, even though it's a little more work.
Thank you so much for your reply. I have the same one (collecting dust in the corner) . One day if you get out of ideas for your substack (which will probably never be the case) you might consider making a how-to-scan post 🫣... Maybe there is an anonymous scan analphabet illustrator group somewhere...❤️have a lovely day dear Jennifer
Hahaha I'm certain there are a lot of illustrators that struggle with tech. Some things are easier than they were a decade ago, but there's soooo much more to keep track of!
Blick has some great and inexpensive drawing paper… I think its 80lbish and it does fine with a waterbrush, but not more. I use it all the time with neocolor 2s and use them to make collage paper, its called sulphite drawing paper
Thanks for the tip! Any idea what it's called? I bought a big block of Fabriano Mixed Media from Blick, but I find my watercolor pencils blend much better on the Strathmore.
Such beautiful artwork, thank you for sharing. I am in the traditional then procreate camp too, but find I’m touching up less and less on procreate and really enjoying the loose-ness of traditional media and leaving ‘mistakes’ in a bit more.
Really looking forward to joining Folktale Week again this year, I really love it!
Yes, that's what I'm working toward, too! Although admittedly sometimes I get bored after laying down traditional color and jump over to digital before even attempting to lay down detail. I'm not sure yet if one process is better than the other. Traditional goes faster for me, but there's more clean up, so it might be a wash. It is nice to have reasonably "finished" originals though.
So excited you're joining us again!
Thank you ! I’m excited to join in.
Beautiful post! I love your finished piece. I work in a similar way but more “chopped up” . I don’t trust myself to just work in one layer now, which is kind of sad… I always want to color correct. I don’t feel my traditional skills are up to par , though I used to work this way solely for a decade when I first started.
I love your easel. I need to check out getting one!
Haha isn't that always the way? I got so used to digital that I feel less confident with traditional despite drawing with actual materials for ages. But I'll keep practicing. I'm already feeling much better about it after a few months.
Beautiful artwork.
Thank you!
Gosh the painting is beautiful 😍 thanks for sharing the art board thing, something I really need to be thinking about. I’m gonna try and join in with folktale week for the first time. Be good to try something new.
Hooray, very glad to hear it! I'm excited to see how people participate over here on Substack. Instagram has become a little soul-sucking lately. 😂
And yes, posture matters! I want to be making art for as long as I can, and I'm really happy with the art sphere. I've had it for a few years now.
So good to see your process Jennifer. I have never been brave enough to go traditional for PB works. The fear of changes is real and I am not there yet, not yet confident to make changes and move around things if required. How do you do that? Do you scan them in on different layers? How?
I'm a bit lucky in that I was a designer before this so I've been using Photoshop and similar programs for ages. It can be tedious to make changes to traditional art, but it's all doable. Maybe I could share my process with edits...
This was a really interesting read, Jennifer. I have just started using traditional media a bit and it's been helpful to hear about your process. I might buy that desk easel ! I didn't know about your dad but I hope he is well xxx
Thank you, yeah he seems to be okay so far! 🤞
I think it would be really exciting to see your stuff in traditional media, especially if you still animate it. That would be really special.
Thank you, Jennifer, that is a great idea re trying animation with the traditional media. Glad to hear that your dad is ok so far xx
I love your illustrations. Thank you for showing us your process. I think I'm backwards of you. I draw my scene and then go to my iPad to paint it.
I've done that from time to time, too, but less and less these days. Generally I head straight to Procreate for anything particularly elaborate. I'm too attached to those undos!
Thank you for this wonderful post, Jennifer. I am so glad to hear that your dad is doing better. Beautiful personal work and I am so excited about Folktaleweek. 7 years. It's like a decade. I would love to know how you scan your work. Do you have a tip for a scanner? Unfortunately, the video is not available to be watched in Germany. 🤷♀️ I have no idea why
Oh that's annoying. I imagine if you search for Mr. Bean Steak Tartare, you'd find it. I actually was reminded of this scene last summer when I was in Berlin. I think the TV in the hotel room defaulted to Mr. Bean episodes which was perfect because it doesn't need translation.
I have the Epson V600 scanner, which is an upgrade over my last one (I think it was a Canon?). It's not big enough for my artwork, so I do multiple scans and use Affinity Photo (or Photoshop) to auto-stitch them together. I initially wanted to get a large-format scanner, but they're REALLY expensive if you want the same quality. I had to choose between size and quality, and opted for quality, even though it's a little more work.
Thank you so much for your reply. I have the same one (collecting dust in the corner) . One day if you get out of ideas for your substack (which will probably never be the case) you might consider making a how-to-scan post 🫣... Maybe there is an anonymous scan analphabet illustrator group somewhere...❤️have a lovely day dear Jennifer
Hahaha I'm certain there are a lot of illustrators that struggle with tech. Some things are easier than they were a decade ago, but there's soooo much more to keep track of!
Blick has some great and inexpensive drawing paper… I think its 80lbish and it does fine with a waterbrush, but not more. I use it all the time with neocolor 2s and use them to make collage paper, its called sulphite drawing paper
Thanks for the tip! Any idea what it's called? I bought a big block of Fabriano Mixed Media from Blick, but I find my watercolor pencils blend much better on the Strathmore.
Yes, here it is
https://www.dickblick.com/items/blick-sulphite-drawing-papers-9-x-12-white-100-sheets-80-lb/?clicktracking=true&wmcp=pla&wmcid=items&wmckw=10209-1043&country=us¤cy=usd&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwpbi4BhByEiwAMC8JnZPLsARgusWILpHGWxno5MVijAEmv8apQ3uDX7g5O6JY18Zw8q0eZRoCpgQQAvD_BwE
Heck yeah, thanks so much for the tip! I'll grab a pack next time I'm there.
Beautiful!!!!! Love the colors
I absolutely love seeing process posts from other illustrators! Thank you for sharing :D
Artwork looks great!
So so gorgeous, Jennifer!!