Illustration Technique
By Robin Hegan

The illustrations for Birds of a Feather start as rough pencil drawings inspired by the “literal” meaning of each idiom. Before I begin each drawing I first compile actual photographs of the different images I want to use in my illustration. Keeping in mind the position of text, I then create a variety of compositions on sketch paper until I find one that I like. After I choose my rough composition, I scan it and enlarge it to 15% more than the actual size of each spread in the book.

I choose a background for my canvas and paint it. Then using carbon paper I transfer my sketch on top of the background. I then use the outlines as a guide while I am painting with my acrylic paints. The finished art is photographed and digitally placed into a book format to include all the necessary text.

Rough pencil drawing.

The finished painted canvas.