Me, I hardly ever create an illustration using only digital tools. They always start out as pencil drawings.
Then I take that pencil drawing and put it on a lightboard so that I can go trace the image onto another sheet using ink and a brush.
There are digital brushes that can create similar-looking brush strokes, but, for me, the feel is off. So I stick with my real-life brushes.
Next up, scan the artwork. My scanner is only big enough to fit standard 8.5 x 11 inch sheets of paper, so my originals are pretty small.
For the coloring, I go to Photoshop. The first thing I do, usually, is add colors to the lines.
Then I create big sections of color. If the person doesn’t have a palette in mind, I like to start out with loud colors.
I use the colors to separate out the different parts of the piece; hands, branches, leaves, fruit…
Then I add in the final details and elements that make me feel like the piece is done.
And there it is, a finished illustration. A vine, a vine-dresser, and some fruit.
That is very ineteresting.