Illustration Technique
By Mike Blanc

Mike Blanc's illustrations for Francesca began as pencil sketches, which are scanned and stored in digital format for templates and reference. Mike uses computer software to emulate a traditional line and wash method. With the support of pressure sensitive drawing tablets and desktop computers, he draws the image with a digital "ink pen". Once satisfied with a drawing, color layers are applied with "watercolor" brushes and refined with "blenders". The result, shown here is every bit as expressive as our traditional illustration techniques, though he never runs out of ink.