Learn to use thumbnail drawings to create multiple concepts before refining one idea and rendering a final illustration.

In this course I will take students through the methods I employ to create a black and white illustration using traditional paper and ink media. Along with demonstrating step by step the working methods I use, I will also give my thoughts on some of the broader topics surrounding picture making and design. I will discuss what I think are the strengths of working through a project using traditional media and why I believe it is still the key foundation to visual creativity as well as the importance of keeping a regular sketchbook.

In the first section I will discuss the materials used, including brush pens and fineliners, as well as the paper types used.
In the second section we begin the process by making a series of quick thumbnail drawings to explore different ideas around a similar theme. After producing these thumbnails we will narrow to one concept and make a quick preliminary study to finalize the composition.
In the third section I will begin by laying out the loose pencils, just getting the larger masses down and indicating the composition.
Section four is where the first detail are applied and the pencils are refined to the point where they are ready for the inking process.
Section five is the beginning of the inking process, starting with the area in the foreground of the illustration.
In section 6 the inking process continues on the middle ground focal point of the composition and I will discuss using different pens for different line weights.
Section 7 comprises the middle ground of the rendering and is broken down into sub chapters. Here I will use many different pens and markers to help sell the illusion of depth and detail.
In section 8 I will add the finishing touches, using white gouache paint, as well as any other small refinements as well as summarizing my thoughts on the process.