Exercise: Getting the Gist

For this exercise I chose an article from Molly Makes magazine, a publication I read regularly. The article was about how creativity can be used as a mindfulness technique to combat stress and difficult times in life.

At first I wasn't sure how I would approach this illustration as I thought maybe I should have a person in the picture but then I thought about what comes more natural to me and I realised that I often use animal characters to represent people in my own artwork and that felt right to me. Given the creativeness of the magazine it felt like it wouldn't be out of place and the cuteness would fit in with the magazines vibe in general.

I chose to have a koala bear enjoying knitting on a pillow, thinking about all the creative pastimes she enjoys, instead of thinking about all the stress.

The supplies I used were Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens with a water brush pen and graphite pencil. I wanted a soft, calming look to the illustration and the opportunity to use a medium that I am currently learning.

I was quite pleased with how the illustration came out, there are areas to improve in the finish of it but overall I like it.