Q&A Saturdays: Jen and Emma

Making the Illustration

Refence Image: Photograph of Emma and Jen in their working studio environment at LCA infront of their artwork and project plans. 

This was my first attempt at drawing Emma. I did this detailed pencil observation really carefully but I just couldn't get the proportions and features right so the likeness was off. 

It took me a few attempts to get happy with a media, method and likeness for the portraits...

I thought a pen line illustration might look good but because I hadn't drawn it in pencil first I worried that the likeness wasn't strong enough. Also it smudged and would have been hard to add colour to after because of the ink running. Colour is such a big part and a big difference in Emma and Jen's work that this was an essential part to my illustration. 

Big no.

This smudged, and it was not accurate anyway.

This was my final pencil observation! I was finally happy with it - apart from a few adjustments around the hands etc. It isn't a completely perfect representation but it has a likeness and you would definitely be able to recognise them while still keeping that drawn freedom. 

My final illustration. I am really happy with this as I think the likeness is good and I was very careful with the line work so I am not unhappy with any part of the depiction! This was definitely due to drawing it in pencil first which is the process I will take with me in future illustrations. I also think it depicts both their styles well with the layout because you can see both of their individual work behind them.