Monday, January 25, 2010

Winter Scene


(Please click on image to see larger view)
Here is a detail of the illustration that will soon be used for my latest promotional piece (children's).
See the original sketch here
This is an approx 3" x 3" square from the 5.5" x 8.5" illustration. My objective was to do a "big scene" with a lot going on, lots of people, activity and a fun, busy feeling. I think I have accomplished what I set out to, but I am still getting used to this one. I usually add in plenty of detail, but my focal points are usually larger. In this one, everything is small, and there are many things to look at, not just one main focal point. In some ways, this kind of bugs me, but I wonder if that's a function of my being outside my comfort zone. I'm sitting on this one to see how I feel about it in a few days. So far, the verdict is that I love a big scene like this, and I am happy with how this one came out. But I think I will make everything in future "big scene" like this just a little bigger across the board. I have a very hard time 'sticking to the script' when I am working in a way that really is not conducive to a lot of detail. I just have to add in detail, it's in my DNA. In this one I spent lots of time and energy on details in the people and in their clothing, and much of it is lost in the final. Oh well - live and learn, right? ;) (This WAS a Flash illustration detail experiment, and I did learn something from it. So, there you go.) Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one, and I would love to hear your thoughts.

8 comments:

Maureen Hume said...

I like it. I'm always fascinated by detail, but the business and color in your picture really catches my eye. It's kind of like chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Some days vanilla is perfect and other days nothing tastes as good as chocolate.
There's room for both.
Maureen. www.thepizzagang.com

Krista said...

Ooooo... I love it! I love all the details, and the expressions are adorable!

Roma GutiƩrrez said...

lovely illustration. Very well done.

paula said...

Nice piece, Kathy!

gatheringwonder said...

great piece

Loni Edwards said...

I love this, Kathy! The colors are so bright and fun! It reminds me a little of a Grandma Moses piece, just a little slice of life. Love it!

gaia said...

It feels so busy and cheerful! A few weekends ago we drove by a frozen lake in Vermont that looked just like this. I think the all the little details are great and add a lot to it. (Even if you feel like we're missing some of them...)

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

I love the little details and looking at the tiny skates in the shop. All the fun and different outfits are so cute!