A Peek Into The Illustration Process

A Peek Into The Illustration Process - Veronica Marché Illustration

The number one question I get as an illustrator is “How does your process work?” Today I’m sharing a sneak peek (“behind the scenes,” if you will) of the work that goes into taking a custom illustration from concept to a full-color image.

Earlier this year, Claudia Baudo, the creator of Smackaroons (a yummy coconut-and-chocolate candy) emailed me seeking an illustration for her Valentine’s Day event.

Every client project starts the same — I ask my client what they’re looking for, and to give me a few key words to describe their brand or event. Claudia wanted a fashion-inspired image that was fun, and flirty, and communicated how much of a delight Smackaroons are to eat. And she wanted it to have a bit of glamour (legendary pin-up Bettie Page was part of the inspiration references), but to still be friendly and approachable.

Once I gather that information from my client and do a little research on my own, I brainstorm and sketch a number of concepts or ideas for the client to choose from. Here, the first idea was a fashion figure in little black dress (I mean, how much more glamorous can you get than an LBD?) and the other was a figure in Claudia’s signature chef’s coat, which she wears to all her events. We also alternated between the figure showing the product and receiving a box of Smackaroons as a gift — since it was, of course, Valentine’s Day.

Smackaroons Concept Sketches by Veronica Marché

At this point, the client chooses their favorite idea, and we finesse the details with a few tweaks. Claudia loved the middle pin-up pose, but we decided to put the figure in a black dress, and to make sure she looked absolutely delighted about receiving a gift of Smackaroons! Here is the final line sketch…

Smackaroons concept sketch by Veronica Marché

And here is the final full color illustration. I made sure to include special details (the Smackaroons box, the signature lipstick tag, and the character’s lip color in “Smackaroons” hot pink) to make sure this image uniquely reflected the Smackaroons brand:

Smackaroons Valentine by Veronica Marché

Claudia was really happy with the final result, as it embodied everything she wanted to communicate about her brand — a little glamorous, a little fun, and the thrill of getting a sweet treat!

Smackaroons postcard

My illustration on promotional signage for Smackaroons.

If you’d like a custom illustration created uniquely for your brand or event, contact me here.

Welcome to Summer!

Welcome to Summer Illustration by Veronica Marche

So I know the calendar says summer doesn’t start for another month, but this delicious 80-degree weather is telling me otherwise.

In my eyes? Summer is HERE, which means the time for flirty sundresses is NOW. (And don’t get it twisted — I totally rocked my favorite spaghetti strap maxidress today.)

What are you doing to celebrate the coming of summer?

Custom Illustration for The Burnout Queens

burnoutqueensThis spring I got the opportunity to work with my very first international clients! Drs. Toby Silverton and Bev McLagan are the women of Silverton McLagan Coaching, a life and career coaching practice based in the U.K. They just underwent a relaunch of their brand – The Burnout Queens – and commissioned me to illustrate a portrait for their new website.

Bev and Toby found me via BluChic Theme’s Showcase page while they were shopping for a new look for their site. They sent an email and soon we were having Skype chats, brainstorming an illustration for their new look. Toby and Bev have two adorable pups — Quentin and Greer — and wanted them included in the illustration. (With crowns — for “queens”, of course!)

I had a blast working with Drs. Toby and Bev and I’m really happy to see the work on their new site. They also ordered the original print to put on display in their offices in London. And they were kind enough share some kind words about my work in return — I’ve included their testimonial on my “Raves” page.

Interested in a custom illustration for your brand or business? Email me at [email protected].

Illustration Master Class with Bil Donovan

Master Class with Bil Donovan by Veronica MarcheHow exciting would it be to meet AND work with someone whose work has inspired you for years? I can tell you from personal experience – VERY EXCITING.

This past weekend, veteran fashion illustrator Bil Donovan came to Drexel University and blessed us with three days of lecturing and workshop teaching. The first night, he gave us an overview of his incredible career (Christian Dior and New York’s St. Regis hotel are just a few of his major clients), and for the next two days, he taught an intensive workshop — an illustration bootcamp, as he calls it. I’ve admired Bil’s work for a long time. He works primarily in brush and ink, giving his illustrations a sense of movement and ephemeral glamour. My friend Jeanne was in awe of his technique. “Look how he controls the water,” she gushed. “The man literally CONTROLS THE ELEMENTS.” (That made me laugh).   Still, Bil’s style is quite different from mine. While he works in ink and brush, I work with graphite and markers. And while his illustrations employ selectivity — of color, of line, of everything — mine (at least for now) have a highly rendered style. Suffice it to say, I was worried if I’d be able to make the cut in one of Bil’s classes! Turns out there was no need to be – Bil is a super engaging, incredibly encouraging instructor, and encouraged me to continue working in and developing my own style. “I’m not worried about you, you got it,” he told me. I might have squealed. Anyway, here are a few snapshots of my work over the weekend: Quick gestural drawings in brush and ink. I’ve always loved warming up with gesture drawings, and sometimes they turn into their own work of art. This one is going up on a wall in my apartment. brush and ink exercises A new favorite exercise introduced by Bil – continous line drawings. (Don’t take your pencil off the paper. EVER!) continuous line exercises The weekend was not without some excitement. Particularly, the inkspill I had on day two. Yikes! inkspill No worries, though. My friend pointed out that the spill looks like a shoe, so I’m going to turn it into an illustration of a stiletto bootie. :o) The last sketch of the weekend. “Just go for it,” Bil told us. So this is me playing around with water, ink and composition. final drawing   I gotta say, I’m kinda in awe that I got the opportunity to learn under someone whose work is so inspiring to me. Many many many thanks to Bil for being a great teacher and cheerleader, and of course, shout-out to Drexel’s Fashion Design Department for making such an awesome weekend happen. I have more snaphots and some video over on Instagram. Make sure you follow me there. I’m @veronicamarche.

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