How I work – wedding illustration concept sketches

I’m often asked how I work when illustrating, and today you’re invited to hop on board to see how I create sketches like this!

Rough sketch to visualize the illustration idea

Usually, I use several different photo references to envision my customers’ illustrations. However, in this case, Jessica (see my post from last week) had this unique wedding photo of her parents, where they look absolutely glamorous and stunning! As she told me, it reflects their personality, style, and feelings for each other perfectly. So, in agreement with Jessica, I chose this secretly taken iPhone shot of the photo as inspiration for their illustration:

Secretly taken iPhone shot of their wedding photo, the main illustration reference

When illustrating, I use the program Corel Painter IX, where I can incorporate photos as reference, and my Wacom graphic tablet which translates my pen strokes directly into the design program.

Because the couple loves elegant high fashion, I envisioned creating a rather stylized, elongated illustration, inspired by fashion illustrations.  So, instead of using the photo as a direct reference, I first roughly sketched the pose for the illustration (in blue), and slightly moved her head back (1).  Then, on a separate layer, I created the sketch in black and white (2). Lastly, I blended out the reference photo to reveal my first sketch (3).

How I work when I create illustration sketches

As Jessica told me, her parents really savour life. They love traveling to spectacular, elegant places all over the world. A summer afternoon in the fields of Provence, a barefoot walk on a Greek beach, a sumptuous weekend at a resort with a view of  Monaco’s sunset… I loved the images that played in my head! Just look at them, aren’t they fabulous?

So, in a second sketch, I wanted to visualize this feeling and mood by illustrating them as if they were standing on a beach in a more dramatic pose, the warm wind playing with her hair and dress (4, sketched up in blue). While sketching, I always kept a helpful design reference on the right side of my screen (5), such as a photo of a dress that flows in the wind, and my mood boards from last week.

This is the second concept sketch for their wedding anniversary illustration:

Which concept would you have chosen? Come back next week when I’ll share the refined illustration, and how Jessica’s parents reacted when they received it. If you have any questions about my work process, ask away.  I’ll be happy to share!

CREDITS: All photos are private property. Illustration sketches by Astrid Mueller.