Making test versions
Breathing room for the process
Lately, I’ve been using my mini sketchbook practice a little differently—to make minis or test versions of pieces I’m working toward finishing. It’s something that happens after the thumbnails and sketches, but when I’m still feeling hesitant to start on the “final” version (which is never the final version). It’s a way to start figuring out a process for myself so that when I go to execute the real thing it feels like I know what I’m doing. This gives me the space to still experiment, and reveals what methods might come easier to me and what I techniques I need to work on.
Drawing from my everyday moments and life with my kids, I started a karate series inspired by my daughter’s martial arts classes. It’s been so fun to watch—these kids pick up the stances and sequences so quickly from week to week, it’s impressive. I especially love capturing the energy and motion in their movements. My test version below:
and the final:
After sketching and refining the drawing in Procreate, I print it out at a small size, and trace it onto thicker paper using a lightpad and waterproof Sakura Microperm pen.
Then I add watercolor to play with color ideas and mood. Below, in front, is the test painting and behind it the first big version.
and my final:
For the final larger versions I switch over to a pen with nib and india ink.
Again my test version is on top and final on the bottom.
But I ended up scrapping this piece and redrew it in a comics format (below).
You can see the rest of this series on my website: drawnbyfay.com.