Enhancing colored pencil drawings with Photoshop.

Deer in the Woods (A) did not have the color contrast I was looking for. So I imported the image into Photoshop, and used a transparent dry media brush to enhance some of the colors, I sharpened the images which helped clarify the cardinal and owl, then darkened the sky for additional contrast.

Deer in the Woods (A)

Deer in the Woods (B)

Penguins in the igloo (A)

In "Penguins in the igloo" (A) the penguins are wrapping a gift, Some of the colored pencil marks were distracting from the center of interest. So, I imported the image into Photoshop enhanced some of the colors with a transparent dry media brush, sharpened edges, and made the box look empty, which in my opinion, adds a better story. the penguins are shocked that the box is empty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this example you can see my original drawing first. I wasn't happy with the choppy blue background, the penguin too close to the top of the page, and the lights didn't look lit. So I imported the image in Photoshop, used the dry media brush to smooth out the background without totally loosing the artist's marks. I reworked the top penguin to better fit the page and brightened the whole image up by adding glows to the lights and placing a few more decorations on the tree and lighter berries on the wreath.

Stringing the lights (b)

Returning to a favorite media: Colored Pencil.

After the SCBWI-IL Downstate Illustration show in November, I was reminded how much I enjoy working with colored pencils. This December, I've decided to do a series of drawings with a holiday theme using colored pencils. As I finished, I scanned the images and then imported them to Photoshop to digitally edit and enhance. What follows are the ones I have so far.

First Snowglobe

Harder than it looks.

Chalkboard Drawing

My drawing on our home chalkboard (above) was the inspiration for the illustration (below).

Nativity Illustration inspired by chalkboard drawing.

Elves Sledding

 

Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree

Putting a Star on Top

Under the Tree

Gift from Santa

Heavy Load