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So how does a book actually get illustrated?

Well there's many steps, which each one requiring

a skilled hand and trained eye. Some stages you may hear about include:

 

 

1) Thumbnails: 

 

 

 

 

 

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These are small, doodly sketches that quickly convey the jist of an illustration

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2)Reference Gathering: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Even cartoony art should use some good reference,

but it's even more critical when drawing realistically.

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3) Rough Sketches:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This step is between Thumbnails and the Pencils stage.

 

4) Pencils:

 

 

 

 

 

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Now that all the prep-work is done,

this is when the actual illustration on the page finally being drawn.

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5) Inks:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This refers to going over the pencils with a pen or brush (in ink)

to make the pencils more crisp and clear.

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6) Colors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This is usually the last stage, when the Inked lineart is

fully colored and ready to be put in the book.

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