Curious how I go about working on a project with a client?  Well, you’re in luck!  Here’s a short run-down of the process:

The first thing to know is the goal of working as an illustrator is to work with clients.  Therefore, there is a big emphasis on communication and flexibility on both sides.

To get started, I usually receive a ‘concept’ from the client.  Whether a loose description of an image needed, text for an article or book, or a list of topics to illustrate, the first objective is for the client to provide me with a vision for their project that I can then work with them to realize.  After a quick conversation with the client I do enough research on the topic to get me started so that I can create…

Thumbnails (or thumbs) are quick, small sketches meant to portray the basic composition of an illustration (negative and positive spaces, characters, layout, etc) to the client.  Of course if the client doesn’t like the initial idea, it’s easy to revise since there hasn’t been a lot of time invested yet.  This is to see if initially the client and I are on the same page.

After getting notes and discussing the illustration further to refine even more the ‘feel’ of the piece, I create a full-size sketch. This shows the composition with about 90% accuracy (changes are always needed throughout the process.) and allows them to see how the piece will look at the correct scale.  Some clients use these in their dummy layouts to get a feel for how it will work with the page or product.  More conversations, more notes and more revisions take place. 

Finally it’s done!  I work directly on top of the sketch to finish it up.  The great thing about my process is that it ensures the client isn’t surprised by the finished artwork.  Clients earn the right to be excited about the product and their participation in the realization of a vision.

Of course every client situation is different.  Sometimes with quick deadlines there is very little time for feedback, and I create the Final Artwork directly from the thumbnails.  Sometimes a Color Comp is used, where I roughly color over the sketch for the client to get a feel for how hue will play into the finished piece.

I haven’t posted all the research and development necessary to create a great illustration.  For instance this illustration was part of a large set and had a very specific ‘color key’ which was developed early on.  Having the consistent colors for the characters helps unify the pieces and make it easily understandable to the viewer.

The keys to ending up with a great piece of art that makes everyone happy: communication, flexibility, and process.  After every stage of the process the client is communicated with in order to get notes and to approve that stage.  After approval, we won’t travel back in time to make changes to things that were already approved.  This keeps the project moving forward and forces both myself and the client to intellectually invest in the artwork.  Although it may seem harsh, this is essential to keeping the cost of illustration down.  Projects get done on time and on budget!