My Process for Hand-Drawn Artwork

Every illustration begins as a small idea — a shape, a color, a moment that catches my attention — and slowly becomes something real under my hands. As I move through each drawing, I see how much I learn in the process. The story of Fox & Butterfly is intertwined with words first, then the drawing, or imagining the scene, with the narrative complementing that particular image.

New styles appear as I experiment. Chalk softens beautifully when blended with my fingertips, building layer upon layer and deepening into rich hues. Acrylic paint adds an opaque brilliance, while colored pencils let me carve out tiny details that bring them to light. None of this comes from a perfect plan — just patience, trial and error, and paying close attention to what the artwork needs. These tools and techniques became a rhythm over the last six months working on Fox and Butterfly.

Below is my very first illustration from 2023, using my tried-and-true watercolor technique. I ended up not liking it, at least for the book.

Creating the illustrations inspired a new technique. I wanted a soft, dreamy look, so I experimented with chalk. I didn't have artists' chalk, but I did have a large box of sidewalk chalk. With the rainbow of colors, I was able to achieve the right effect over time. Experimentation is the best way to learn, and I also found the right combination of medium and paper.

As I worked, I discovered that the type of paper used is so important. This illustration was a bit "rough" due to the paper's texture. I'm currently redoing this scene. My current fav: Strathmore Acrylic Paper.

Nature is my biggest inspiration. Something as simple as a rock formation, the hues of dawn or the depth of a creature's eye sparks my creativity. I also find inspiration online, in photos or stories that reveal the hidden mysteries the world offers. Years ago, before the Internet, I relied on library books, magazines or the desert world around me. It wasn't an instant process, as it is today. I had to wait to visit the library to find the book with the perfect photo— they say patience is a virtue, which I understood early on.

Most days, my work lives entirely on a screen. But when I pick up chalk, a pencil, or a paintbrush, something shifts. Creating by hand feels grounding and tactile—a small return to stillness, to the past when I first learned my craft. Each layer adds something unexpected, and in the end, I see not just an image, but the gentle growth that unfolded along the way.

After a bit of research, using Tempera paint for the dark scenes was the perfect choice. Tempera paint is water-based, so it's a bit tricky to work with as it will bleed, but with the right touch, it will blend flawlessly.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to draw or paint, let yourself try. Creativity grows through curiosity, through trust, through gentle experimentation. You might be surprised by what’s been waiting inside you.