From sketch to final - a glimpse into my illustration process for American Bystander Magazine Issue 3
Louisa Bertman
Illustrator, Animator & Digital Media Storyteller | GIF Artist | Visual Journalist | Cyber Activist | Specializing in Human Rights & Social Justice Narratives
Here's a glimpse into my #illustration process and the fun I get to have with some of my editors. This illustration is for the amazing editor/publisher Michael Gerber of The American Bystander (issue 3). Article written by none other than Brian McConnachie (yup THAT SNL guy) about NFL's Roger Goodell. The email thread looked somewhat like this:
Michael: "Hey Lou, might you be available for another assignment? Article and specs included" Me: "Absolutely!.. ”
(Sketch 1) Me: "What do you think?" Michael: "Shine on you crazy diamond!-continue!”
(Sketch 2)
Michael: "Oh my god Lou, I love this! Just to keep peace in the valley, I'm gonna have to run this by X (names edited on FB to protect the innocent)...
(ff to next day) Michael: "So I'm recently reminded that there may be children reading our magazine..."
(Sketch 3)
Michael: "I feel sheepish asking, but could you maybe put a banana-hammock on the guy? (insert me (smiling) knowing how much it took for Michael to ask me to "edit my creativity" (and also smiling because he took me seriously with sketch 3).
Me: "no problem!”
(Sketch 4/Final) Michael: “Love it Lou!”
illustrators note: Thanks Michael Gerber and Brian McConnachie for not only being such good sports but for having the passion in this dire political time to bring back such a brilliant humor print magazine. I'm honored to be included in each issue to date. Those who know me know I'll never pass up a chance to draw overflowing junk -- it's just fun (actually any junk of any kind is always just fun to draw). But I must agree the final edited version was definitely the best solution for the article/client.
American Bystander Magazine: https://www.americanbystander.org/
I wish LinkedIn had a ??. Thank you for sharing your process—so interesting! Love that you made RG a pink “banana hammock.”
Content Strategy, Podcasting, AI, Strategic Partnerships
8 年I dig the grittiness of your work! Compromise is a big part getting your work published I'm sure - life! - but I love the pre-banana hammock version. ")
Creative and Design Director | Photographer | Adjunct Professor of Media, Emerson College
8 年I liked your original sketch best! You rock
Dad, Husband, Emmy Award-Winning Art Director, Telly Award-Winning Creative Director, GDUSA Award-Winning Graphic Designer/Exhibition Designer, Emergent Strategist, Recognized Design for Good Innovator & Gallery Artist
8 年Good stuff! Thanks for posting!