‘Twenty-five yeas that’s longer than I have been alive,’ or words to that effect, become a common theme as you grow older.
I have featured Dawn in a few cartoons in the past few years. A brilliant character. Says what she means. Has a laugh but with an intense serious side.
The cartoon started with a simple thought – Dawn can also talk a lot…She is going to hate me for saying that, but it generated a beautiful idea – long winded speeches and Celebratory champaign being topped up with ice.
I drew out the initial sketch to establish the elements of the cartoon in my A5 sketchbook. There is no point getting into too much detail at this stage.
Confident with the composition, I moved the image onto an A4 sheet, adding some people and details. I was unhappy with the feet being at different heights and wanted to correct this in the final image. So over to the light box to trace off the image and move them back into place!
The final image was then rendered in watercolour starting with the light background washes in blue and yellow. Building up slowly the main elements. Always allowing the watercolour to dry before applying more pigment. The final decision being do I outline in ink or coloured pencil? And of late I have been favouring coloured pencil.
