PROJECT:
A while ago I received a special request to create an illustration for a self publisher's children's book. The task was to create one illustration for the first story in her book, which was focused on a troll's birthday. But not just any birthday, a big centennial birthday. The party was to incorporate a selection of main characters from the story, including two humans. Aside from relatively detailed descriptions of some of the characters, I was given free reign—hee hee.

PROCESS:
My goal was to bring the characters to life and make each one look like they have their own personality—like you would want to chat them up at the party—and to create a magical place for them to gather. I planned an outside party to accommodate one extremely large troll, and a floating one named Star. After creating a character sketch for Stamp, the birthday boy (see previous blog post), I proceeded to map out and complete the full party scene. I took the liberty of adding some fun touches like the snake and frog, whom I thought would also be really excited to join the festivities, as well as some other little surprises...

Below are some process photos.