Illustration done in Illustrator CS

This is an illustration that was done for a commentary piece on the the H1N1 virus. A lot of time was spent establishing the highlights, midtones and shadows in this illustration–and that’s from memory. The OIC sketching sessions helps us map the architecture of the face and train us to depict different facial types, how different light sources falls on the skin, how shadows are casts across the face, etc. The facial terrain is constantly fluid and how the interlacing muscles underneath the face works can only be explored during sketching sessions.

The Process: Rude Hawkers in Singapore by Miel

PROJECT: Illustration for a Straits Times Life cover story about Rude Hawkers in Singapore

The brief from the editor was for an illustration to be done about “Nazi hawkers”– probably a reference to a “Seinfeld” episode from the 90’s about the so-called “Soup Nazi”, a restaurant owner who was ruder than most New Yorkers. Anyway, i cannot draw Hitler and show swastikas, which by right would have been the most cliched, knee-jerk, conceptual reaction to the brief.

I decided to draw it simply, meaning that, what we see is what we get since the experience with rude hawkers is almost universal with Singaporean. This being a cover illustration, the main idea has to be communicated through effectively and instantaneously.

But i had given it a twist, as you can see in the sketch (STEP 1). The focal point being the fire coming out from the mouth, nostrils and eyes of the fried mee seller.

The sketch was approved. So I scanned the sketch and save it at 72 dpi, tiff file. Once I had done that, i opened it in Illustrator CS. I reduced the opacity of the image so that i could “see” through it when I trace my lines using the “pen” tool in illustrator (weight 0.2) over the sketch.

You will notice that I had modified my illustration as I go along tracing the contours from the original sketch (STEP 2).

Once I had finished tracing over the sketch, I devised a colour palette that would tie up with the concept about “fire” and “kitchens”. So these are mostly warm colours like yellow and orange with a hint of blue/violet for contrast (STEP 3).

I highlighted those areas where I would assign colours in and use the dropper tool to click on the colour palette which I had pasted beside the outlined artwork earlier (STEP 4).

You can choose to add highlights and midtones like what I did here using ‘Gaussian blur’ and reduced “opacity” in some areas of the illustration.

Then, it’s done!

And don’t forget to save, every step of the way!
Tags: oicsingapore, ORGANISATION OF ILLUSTRATORS COUNCIL, Miel, Singapore Illustrator, Straits Times Life, Rude Hawkers, Soup Nazi