This is the typical process I go through with my illustrations. In this case, it was for a fun MG book cover for Jenny Cruz - Girl Adventurer?!? by Rebekah Miller. The assignment was: “Eleven-year-old Jenny Cruz has never been anywhere! For years, she begged her world-traveling parents, but they always found a reason for her to stay home...until now. Jenny is finally traveling with her dad – in Africa! But soon after they arrive, mysterious people start popping up. And for some reason, they include that mean girl from school! Among rumors of smuggling, poachers, a hat-stealing giraffe, and heart-stopping danger, who can Jenny trust? Armed with her quirky sense of humor and new friends, Jenny discovers that travel can be far more adventurous than she ever dreamed.” (Available on Amazon.)

Process for Jenny Cruz Illustrations

First, I draw stamp-sized sketches as I think of ideas. These are quick, messy, and don’t have to make sense to anyone else.

Second, I take some of the ideas I like best and make them a little bigger and clearer. I (or, in this case, the book author) pick which idea to go with (F).

Then I start researching -- backpacks, giraffe anatomy & spots, etc. -- to draw all the individual pieces. Sometimes I make small Sculpey models to help figure out the lighting and shadows if I don’t have something in the picture like a toy giraffe or toy rhinoceros.

I bring the pieces together in a full-sized line drawing (8 ¼” x 13 ¼”). The author wanted Jenny’s binoculars more visible vs. tucked in her backpack. So, the floor items were rethought and rearranged keeping in mind where the type boxes would be.

Then I make a value drawing to see if things read clearly. I also make a small color rough. With this cover, I had a good idea of what I wanted to do color-wise. But, many times, I explore several color combinations.

I usually practice painting an important part of the piece to make sure that it is working as I wish. I focused on getting the colors of Jenny’s face, Jenny’s hat, and the giraffes’ faces working together. Also, Jenny’s expression needed to show her quirky personality, but her hat shadow was not supposed to make her feel like a shady character.

Finally, I paint the final in watercolor (8 ¼” x 13 ¼”). The book cover size was 5” x 8”.