I'm really happy with this weeks illustration! I used a combination of brush and dip pen which I have never done for a commercial illustration and it worked well. The pen worked for smaller curves, details and 'hard texture' (like the bricks) objects while the brush worked for bigger curves, more sweeping lines, and 'softer textures' (like the ground and grass). Funnily enough as I was doing it, I knew exactly what colours I wanted to use, so that saved the decision making and experimenting time later! The article is not out yet, but when it is I will post the link. Oh yes, here is the original sketch proposal..

I'm really glad they went with A! B would hav been fun too though, and C would have also been fine, but definitely my las choice.  I'm working with a great editorial team here.

For some time I was maintaining the habit of reading fiction everyday out loud (paid more attention that way) and this is a wonderful book. Love the way it's written with different people's accounts. However this cover was terrible and I felt I had something better in mind...

This is the original thumbnail I did real quickly, very small sketch, barely the size of my palm. Somehow it turned into a circle, and since it wasn't really for a real book, this was fine. Next stage, I scanned it, lightened, made it bigger, printed it, then refined it with pencils.

The pencils stage were done on a letter (a4) sized page. I really like how the negative space from the test tube fumes formed the background of Mr Hyde. Next, I scanned it, lightened it and printed it in on photo blue on a bristol paper of 11x14 inches.

I was actually really happy with the final inks! The negative and positive shapes played out really well, and am happy with the lettering too.

And here is the final piece! I definitely lost of the negative positive interplay of the black and white version, but gained a lot in the mood of the piece, Dr Jekyll stands out nicely, while Mr Hyde is sinisterly blending into the red background. I feel there is good balance and harmony in this piece. It wasn't a big hit on instagram, but the right people liked it, and most importantly, I was happy with it!