How I Make a Picture...

Hello Everyone, I thought I'd maintain my blog here a bit by updating a piece that I tried to document every step of my process. To begin, there aren't any special secrets and a personal process is just going through trial and error, seeing what works and what simply does not. Although, this is only my way and thoughts on process. There's no right way of doing a piece, and there are many avenues that can be explored. This is my way of going about finishing a piece, where thumbnailing is essential to keeping the mind fresh and open to laying down abstract shapes. It also keeps you loose and prevents images from being tied down too early.



Also while doing my ideation, I thought of what I wanted the characters to look like....Well, these characters have been around for quite some time, and it was about time that they be drawn again since they are going to be starring in my upcoming senior thesis.


After nailing down a solid sketch, value studies are explored along with color. Revisions to shape and placement also occur within these stages. I try not to stray from my original concept of the image, but if improvements to silhouettes prove to strengthen a part of the composition that isn't working, I stick with them. So keeping an open mind to possibilites to happy accidents and aides in the process of picture making is essential. This train of thought has revealed that even the most skilled professionals remain as masters of their craft because they remain in the constant train of thought of learning. Once the feeling that a plateau has been reached in a career and know all there is to know--then you are finished. All channels of knowledge have been cut off and the learning curve utterly stops.






After many revisions to the tight sketch, then the piece is finally executed to a finish. This is still a work in progress, and for now has been put on hold due to my time here at Disney. Alas, there will be many more illustrations done of these two, along with my developing story line. There are many epic ideas I have in store for my thesis, the challenge now is to make it all possible.

Until next time!!

-h

15 comments:

Sarah Marino said...

If this is the start to your thesis, I am stoked! Looking good.

Gerald de Dios said...

Thanks for the post, this is insanely inspiring!!!

Charles Valsechi said...

Awesome, I really like hearing about the process you took. I hope to see another post like this.

Roland MacDonald said...

Cool post always nice to see the process behind the piece. Best of luck with the Thesis. I'm sure it'll be great

Haylee said...

Sarah: Thank-you so much Sarah! I only hope it looks as spiffy as yours did!

Gerald and Charles: Thank-you so much for the kind words guys. I think I'll post more thoughts like this.

Roland: Thanks Roland! I'm crossing my fingers!

Kendra Melton said...

Yay Process! :] Good luck with thesis

Stevie said...

These look amazing! You're doing a great job :)

Le Hamster Ruso said...

Woaw!!! Your drawings are very good

Louise Smythe said...

thanks for this refreshing post - it serves as a good reminder of what I learned about process at the Academy. I love the girl's feet/shoes, by the way!

Haylee said...

Thank-you everyone for the wonderful comments! I hope to receive the same positive response when the entire project is seen through!!

gph said...

wow this is amazing. honored to know you :)

Haylee said...

Grace, I believe the honor is all mine to say that I know you. I hope our paths will some day cross once more. God bless!!

Debra Herrick said...

I like the world you are creating.

Haylee said...

Thank-you Aunt Deb!!

Tomás Serrano said...

Simply fantastic! It´s great see the development of the sketch. I like your blog.