In continuation of the process of my experiences in illustrating Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree (for the other posts on the process, see links at the end of this post):

After receiving the text of the story and signing the contract with the publisher, I had one month (the entirety of May) to complete the first round of pencil sketches for the book. So for each page, I sketched out a simple black and white idea of what I intended for the page. The author sent me an edited version of the story with breaks for each page, and if she had a particular vision for the picture on a specific page, I did my best to emulate it. But for the most part, I had free rein to draw what I envisioned for the page.

Initially we anticipated 16 illustrations for the story, but ultimately we ended up with 19–several partial-page pictures, as well as a couple 2-page spreads on top of the main full, single page illustrations. Of the entire illustration process, this was probably the most stressful part for me, as I for one, had a pretty large, intensive task to complete in the matter of one month, and for two, this was the testing ground–could I consistently draw the same child over and over, from different angles? Would the author and publisher actually like the ideas I sent them?

Ultimately, I did finish in time, and both the author and publisher were wonderfully gracious and encouraging in response to the illustrations.

Process of illustrating Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree
Part 1: Becoming an Illustrator (what led me submitting myself to a publisher)
Part 2: The Initial Contact
Part 3: First Round of Sketches
Part 4: Edits and Color Roughs
Part 5: Final Artwork