For years people have been asking how long Eric spends on each illustration... and we didn't have an answer! Well, we tried to make a guess while we was working on the third book, and we think it is about 80 hours per illustration.
He starts with a series of sketches, to work out the composition of the illustration and the characters and details. Then, he transfers the sketch with a pencil to his watercolor board, adding in the details as he goes. Layers of pencil, colored pencil, and watercolor are added bit by little bit, in careful detail. He leaves no detail to chance, and each page is just crammed with the sorts of tidbits that children love to look at over and over again.
Inspired by his work, I encouraged Eric to create a time-lapse video of one of his illustrations from our newest book, Phoebe's Birthday. He catalogued his process, snapping a photo periodically as he progressed through the illustration process. You will see that he crumples up his paper and starts all over again partway through the video- this dates back to last winter when he had to start the entire book from scratch all over again. (click here to read about going back to the drawing board.)
Signed prints of Eric's illustrations are available here in our Etsy shop.
This seems like a suitable way to begin the new year, so the new video is up for you to share! We hope you enjoy it!
He starts with a series of sketches, to work out the composition of the illustration and the characters and details. Then, he transfers the sketch with a pencil to his watercolor board, adding in the details as he goes. Layers of pencil, colored pencil, and watercolor are added bit by little bit, in careful detail. He leaves no detail to chance, and each page is just crammed with the sorts of tidbits that children love to look at over and over again.
Inspired by his work, I encouraged Eric to create a time-lapse video of one of his illustrations from our newest book, Phoebe's Birthday. He catalogued his process, snapping a photo periodically as he progressed through the illustration process. You will see that he crumples up his paper and starts all over again partway through the video- this dates back to last winter when he had to start the entire book from scratch all over again. (click here to read about going back to the drawing board.)
Signed prints of Eric's illustrations are available here in our Etsy shop.
This seems like a suitable way to begin the new year, so the new video is up for you to share! We hope you enjoy it!
