![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihqg6cDzNhzYNAPQG5w_B8QyH7eHC5uz0pZsfn8mBjEyy2uKsXt1JuZAax7Fr16apAEzTiQQD_tXpde6le3chuGpuj-J7CjP-BALbowwZocla9gO3UvouOdLW3uwvp_3g_oiP689g2j_m/s200/8+Toad+hiding.jpg)
For this week's blogpost, I'm going to share the process of one of the b&w illustrations from Chapter 8: Toad's Adventures:
"Toad jumped, rolled down a short embankment, picked himself up unhurt, scrambled into the woods and hid. Peeping out, he saw his train get speed again and disappear at a great pace."
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkNmbdbiJEwMp3F-FciAh4xR2tkZrELmhgLGN39KE8Nm_DGEvFuCjw4Vl1MZDvcAU3ew8cezaeICTbL2EQpi6Nxh7C4T9nvHDzYVQJUzIT88UfxoTxTtGMBIprNrou4TS8Ig9ZZtbB0ow/s200/toad+hiding+pencils.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8UT5oGaW1Mrymf5OjAhr_s9A45MZvJbY9WZ9UGE5wc_8LZYWkUCC3OzAhRL8QY2a2U_CeGQQR-TZZlJ9LGW5mh6L89_ZbFRtpxs4ASaaXRFFTd3Uw1hfzITd9zkI0MelbxfZsK1ICHe6/s200/toad+scared+in+thicket+rough.jpg)
The pencil rough you see above was fairly complete as-is. So, when I scanned it into photoshop to re-size for the final illustration I may have only made a slight digital tweak here or there, but mainly I wanted to add in some shading notes for myself for inking.
The digitally composited sketch was then printed out at-size (about 11" x 7") and then taped to the back of a sheet of 300 series Strathmore Bristol. On a light box I was able to see through the bristol's surface to the printout so I could ink on the bristol using the sketch as a guide. For pens, I used Copic Multiliners (the 0.7 & 0.3 nibs). Here I have an in-process photo I took with my phone and posted back when I was inking this piece.
I inked this while on a trip to Alaska for a children's reading event & presentation tour. It was done at the breakfast table of a dear friend (and friend to all books & book-lovers) Greg Hill.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-n8Es1t1Fllue2EPYZrhr88vYDU0XYSyUWonrj0HlpnaLM4briZU_Ugu_rfjIGctFvpYTE6rhUStzd0_uADBPvCa1dfeEM1D1L8OYiPvuS6G842NN7Xm7rUGnSITvbh3OuAvsC7bm_AH/s200/8+Toad+hiding.jpg)
Because I was traveling as I worked on and off this piece, I didn't track my time very well. Like I said above, I know I finished the bulk of it in Greg Hill's kitchen. The inking trick with this piece was all the cross-hateched shading and knowing how much or little to add. It was as I was adding the lines to the eyes that I was the most nervous.
Here you can see the completed image as it will appear in the book along with 49 other B&W illustrations and 20 color.
Wind in the Willows from IDW will be available Fall of 2016 and is available to pre-order on Amazon.com:
For all my other Willows Process Posts:
2016 Appearances:
3 comments:
Awesome! I can't wait! :)
Hello, I'm love The wind in he Willows and can't wait for this to come out! I am looking to buy a copy of The Art of Mouseguard from the online shop but I have a couple questions. I saw in one of your older posts that you Uberdoodled some, are those still available? If so (or not) do you have a estimate on how many copies are left? http://mouseguard.bigcartel.com/product/art-of-mouse-guard-2005-2015-hardcover
This is looking gorgeous. I hope the book gets great reviews and brings you more acclaim, Dave.
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