What is best to use for illustrations?

1. 79

   milleramanda53posted 10 years ago

   What is best to use for illustrations?
   
   I write children's books and Love doing traditional drawings due to I haven't got the hang of digital quite yet, however my colors are too dull with color pencils and markers you can see every stroke made. What product can I use to make a smooth flow of colors that is also nice and bright. Thanks in Advance.

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2. 94

   Dbroposted 10 years ago

   Hi, milleramanda53!  I am an illustrator who would love to get into illustrating children's books.  I am like you in that I am not schooled in digital illustrating software.  I think you could very easily avoid the "techno-trap" by simply creating your illustrations with traditional media and then scanning them to create digital images of your work.  I do this all the time, and the results are wonderful! 
   
   As far as what art medium to use, I think there are several that would meet with your approval.  I am a watercolorist, so I would first recommend it.  Many people are daunted by the prospect of using watercolor, but I think their fears are largely unfounded.  Of course, the style of your work would have to fit, but good line drawings done in waterproof ink could easily be painted in vibrant washes of watercolor.  Artist's acrylic would also give you the vibrancy you are seeking, as well as would pastels.
   
   I hope this helps.  I'd love to see your work sometime.  If you ever need an illustrator for your children's books, please be in touch.

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   1. 79

      milleramanda53posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you very much. You can find my last children's book that I just published on here.

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3. 48

   DiannGBposted 10 years ago

   Wow... never have had the problem of color pencils being too dull. Take a look at some of your favorite children's books, many have the medium used printed on the inside cover page or the artist/illustrators' biography.Then you may get a better idea (or should I say brighter?) of what you would like to try. Personally, I love blending crayons, markers and color pencils.It helps too if you layer the colors of the color pencils and or crayons one on top of the other to create a fullness just like painting or blend your colors by running a white crayon or pencil over them....have fun.

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   1. 79

      milleramanda53posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank You I will give it a try

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4. 86

   followthestrayposted 10 years ago

   Have you ever tried prismacolor pencils?  They come in a variety of vibrant colours.  Copic markers are great too and you're less likely to get the streaky marker problem.
   
   You could also create collages with coloured, painted, or patterned paper.

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