I like @Lee-White 's advice on calling the preliminary concept sketches "thinkings" instead of drawings. To add to that, I always disliked putting "thinkings" into a sketchbook because I can have up to 5 (sometimes more) pages worth of thumbnails and sketches for one concept. Often the sketches are ugly because I'm just focused on throwing the ideas onto paper. I ended up doing less sketchbook work in general because of this.

Now I use a folder-style clipboard stocked with copy paper for my "thinkings" and it works great for me. It's inexpensive, reloadable, portable and I don't have to worry about having a nice drawing. Plus, I like that the pages are super easy to scan (no binding to interfere) and that I don't have to store loads of sketchbooks with work that I mostly dislike.

If there are sketches that I do like, I cut and glue (or tape) them into my journal and call it a day.

All in all, a great episode. I tend to have a million and one ideas for an illustration and then at the end of the day, play it safe (probably too safe) because I doubt my ability to get my far-out-there ideas out onto the page. It's good to know that it's better to go more wild to begin with and be wrangled back in than to play it safe and end up with a boring illustration.

A sketch for mushroom village. A spirit-like lady releasing spores to the city-scape of mushrooms below. I am going to attempt to make it a night scene with lots of glowing spores and mushrooms. It will be a new technique for me. I am excited to start the process, but unsure of the outcome.

Re: Mushroom Village WIP

5 months late...but I finished the painting for June's contest "Mushroom Village" and figured I may as well share it. I procrastinated so hard on this one because I was scared of painting glow-y things at night and messing it up badly. But then I just went for it and actually learned a lot from the process. I'm glad I finished it...better late than never.

High up in the evertrees
The lady light does glow
She sets free seeds and moon-beam dreams
Onto the floor below.

For the September Monthly Challenge, I decided to go with:

Everyone was shocked to see her show up to school with the monster under her bed.

I wanted to show the girl riding in on her bed (cowgirl-style) while wrangling the monster underneath. The girl is having a grand ole time. The monster is a little tired but otherwise unphased. The teacher and other kids are (well) shocked, as per the prompt and mostly taking cover under the teacher's desk. Is this how the sketch is reading? Feedback welcome.

I had originally wanted the monster to be some type of scary unicorn, but decided to go with something more cartoony. I left the unicorn horn on him in this sketch but can modify/remove it if it isn't working.

In the first image, the giant boy seems friendly in a neutral way. It's as though he was just wandering down the street and friendly greeting the people as he goes along his merry way.

In the second picture, it feel like the boy is menacing and could be up to no good. I think it's because of how the shadow falls over the people in a looming sort of way. If this is not the intent, perhaps it would feel less intimidating if the shadow fell onto the buildings instead of onto the people below.

In the third picture, it feels as if the boy is friendly in an excited/over-eager way. It's as though he is trying to get the little people to be his friends or come along with him on some grand adventure. It also seems like he is ready to jump up, whereas in the other two photos it seems like he is more grounded and just crouching down.

In my opinion, each could work. It just depends on what story you are trying to convey.

I'm not a gambler, but I always see this superstition in the movies. When playing a game of chance with dice, the player will kiss or blow on the dice (or get a pretty lady to kiss or blow the dice) for good luck. Big money, big money, big money.

Second sketch with a few changes and some text below that will end up somewhere on the illustration (maybe).

High up in the evertrees
The lady light does glow
She sets free seeds and moon-beam dreams
Onto the floor below.

It is still July where I live (for 2 more hours anyways). I have been working on some technical skills this month. I am getting groovy with my figure drawing (at least 15 minutes per day). I am diligently building my ink mark-making reference sketchbook. I have also been exploring the world of digital illustration. It is a whole new, extraordinarily different world, but it's nice to challenge myself.

I have also been taking some SVS courses on the business side of things. Maybe I can start making money on my illustrations soon?!

The posted image is a digital sketch. I think it's a good start, but I have a lot to learn. My husband didn't appreciate the darkness of the subject but sometimes I just want to draw evil creatures and skeleton fish. Other times I draw flowers. Life is about balance, no?

@xin-li I am a native English speaker and I would consider those tracks in the snow. They are so pretty. I'm looking forward to seeing your entry!

@Amanda-Jean The faux cut-out style is so neat! Your work has such cool textures and the cut-out style adds an extra punch. There is so much dimension to the witch (as if she is actually popping off the page/screen).

I didn't notice anything "off" with the colors, but I'm still learning. Could you explain a little more what you mean? Do you not like the colors? Or is it just that you imaged the colors differently in you mind?

@xin-li I am a native English speaker and I would consider those tracks in the snow. They are so pretty. I'm looking forward to seeing your entry!

@SFischer Hahaha. I think you'd be in good company with other SVS'ers on that list.

@JennyJones It would be very funny to see them all illustrated together. You have quite an eclectic list. Is it for one project?

@chrisaakins great list! I was curious about what would pop for the 1920's grandma, so I did a quick search myself. There's a lot of goodies in there.

@TessaW such a creepy list...but tis the season. Victorian style couches...too funny!

@NessIllustration I'm interested to see how the boom box fits in with the other items in the project. It sounds like a fun one!

Just for fun.

What are some really bizarre topics/words that you have googled/searched for lately while looking for illustration ideas/references?

I was thinking about this tonight as I was googling "places where desolate people go" to get inspiration for an illustration I am working on. I sincerely hope no one ever looks through my browser history.

Any funny ads pop up because of recent web searches?

@Shara-Mills good idea! A lower POV would also give a better view of the kids under the desk. I was having trouble with that. Thanks for the suggestion.

For the September Monthly Challenge, I decided to go with:

Everyone was shocked to see her show up to school with the monster under her bed.

I wanted to show the girl riding in on her bed (cowgirl-style) while wrangling the monster underneath. The girl is having a grand ole time. The monster is a little tired but otherwise unphased. The teacher and other kids are (well) shocked, as per the prompt and mostly taking cover under the teacher's desk. Is this how the sketch is reading? Feedback welcome.

I had originally wanted the monster to be some type of scary unicorn, but decided to go with something more cartoony. I left the unicorn horn on him in this sketch but can modify/remove it if it isn't working.

I like @Lee-White 's advice on calling the preliminary concept sketches "thinkings" instead of drawings. To add to that, I always disliked putting "thinkings" into a sketchbook because I can have up to 5 (sometimes more) pages worth of thumbnails and sketches for one concept. Often the sketches are ugly because I'm just focused on throwing the ideas onto paper. I ended up doing less sketchbook work in general because of this.

Now I use a folder-style clipboard stocked with copy paper for my "thinkings" and it works great for me. It's inexpensive, reloadable, portable and I don't have to worry about having a nice drawing. Plus, I like that the pages are super easy to scan (no binding to interfere) and that I don't have to store loads of sketchbooks with work that I mostly dislike.

If there are sketches that I do like, I cut and glue (or tape) them into my journal and call it a day.

All in all, a great episode. I tend to have a million and one ideas for an illustration and then at the end of the day, play it safe (probably too safe) because I doubt my ability to get my far-out-there ideas out onto the page. It's good to know that it's better to go more wild to begin with and be wrangled back in than to play it safe and end up with a boring illustration.