This image is a preliminary experiment for the A-line series I did for a faculty art show last fall. I have always liked it and felt that it was a good match for this weeks Illustration Friday.

In photoshop, I use a layer for each color. I am using the multiply mode on each layer so that the colors look like they have been overprinted. I added a slightly different texture to each layer so that the color would build up in a more natural way. I started each layer with a solid block of color and then used the eraser tool with a hard edge brush to remove the area that I didn’t want to print. It makes it feel like a woodblock print.
Layer 1 is a white background layer.

Layer 2 | Light green

Layer 3 | A light green with a different texture

Layer 4 | a light green to darken some of the areas

Layer 5 | a light blue for softness

Layer 6 | main line layer in blue

Layer 7 | a gradation from blue to green

Layer 8 | A light blue that adds a halo

Layer 9 | the flowers and a bit of shadow inside the bell of the instrument

This is a spread from a book I am working on called Color Buzz. Delicious color mixing: a tragedy. There just aren’t enough picture books about tragedy.

It is mosquito season in Idaho. I saw my first one last night while enjoying the cool shade. Bummer! I do like cool Idaho evenings.

Twins. Their names are Sam and Samantha. I am not sure that their own parents can tell them apart:)

Illustration Friday is a great way to keep the process of illustration fun. I look forward to the topic each Friday morning. Thank you Penelope.

This is my first image for Illustration Friday. I hope that you enjoy it.