My son at 5 years old.
The brief: Capture my son and his fantastical imagination as he grows up - using some of his own work.
Composed artwork – 5 years old.
A glimpse behind the scenes
Initial outline.
The initial outline can be done pretty quickly, although getting the proportions right is important, because making changes later is more difficult once shading has begun.
First shading
Shading starts lightly so that you can layer on textures and tonality. It’s easier to add than it is to remove.
Timelapse
As I’ve done more of these drawings I find that my technique changes as I learn more. Drawing hair for example is sometimes easier to start with dark shading, and then either removing it with the eraser, or adding highlights with a white pencil to bring out the shine.
Rocket ships are still a thing even today
Rocket 42
My son adds a lot of details that mean special things to him, (note the lighting bolts, the number 42, and the empty window), He loves to build a narrative around each image, telling us stories that change over time.
Shooting for the moon
Outer space isn’t just planets, moons, and spaceships, its heaven, angels and those we love that have passed on.
Mother and two sons
My wife has a very special place in my sons heart. His infant brother is in the window above. These images were all drawn after he passed away.
Original image - shot on an older iPhone.
I draw from eye referring to a printout of the photo.
Procreate and the iPad
let me do things I could never do with paper.
