This is where it all began. Where it always begins actually: in the pages of my sketchbook. On August 14th 2019, to be precise.
I was thinking about making a new bookmark (my seventh one!). I love that kind of papercraft, and I have been collecting bookmarks since I started reading books. So why not making them myself from time to time, eh?
The year 2019 saw a lot of dragons in my work. I had the wonderful opportunity, once again, to illustrate a tale for Baïka Magazine, and not just any tale! I got asked to illustrate one of my favourite (Polish) legends: the Wawel dragon!! A few months later, I was to develop a creative workshop that went in line with the tale. And then came the signing session at the Salon du livre et de la presse jeunesse in Montreuil, where I spent my time drawing dragons.
It was therefore natural that a dragon should appear in my next bookmark.
As I had a lot of work under way at that time, the project was put on hold. Until this year. Yes. This year. Well, better late than never…
Now that the bookmark is finally finished, I would like to share with you the whole process.
First of all, let me show you the heap of papers. What you see below are all the drafts and attempts I needed to make, in order to be able to complete the final illustration.
I had to figure out the best course of action for:
the shape and posture of the dragon.
the whole composition so as to fit in all the elements I had in mind; find a right balance between each one of them, while trying not to overload the illustration with far too many details.
the colour palette (my favourite part).
The idea was to tell in one picture how I see the Wawel dragon enjoying its free time, when it is not out of its cave hunting living creatures. As my intention was to make a bookmark, I wanted the activity of reading books to be the central theme again; and therefore I set about depicting the dragon reading a book. What would the Wawel dragon like to read? And how would it read its book? Does it drink coffee, or tea? Or something else perhaps? In my humble opinion, a dragon needs a night cap, a blankie, a flashlight, and a hot beverage, in order to read comfortably. Add reading glasses to the list. That dragon loves hunting, and loves eating, so it will definitely be reading some cookbook!
The size of a finished bookmark is about 5x20cm, but to avoid feeling hindered by it (my eyesight is not that good, and my paintbrushes not that thin!), I chose to draw and paint on a larger piece of paper, which was about 9x31cm. Once done, I would scan the illustration, have its size reduced, and ready for printing.
It has been a challenge to endeavour to achieve a successful composition, because the format is rather unusual when one looks at the width in proportion to the height. The dragon would have to be drawn in a sitting posture. And I would have to keep the bleeds in mind (the trim area of the printing piece).
The creative part of the mind burst while I looked for ways to draw my sitting dragon. It was exhilarating, and nerve-racking at the same time.
I wish I could put into words the joy I felt when I figured it all out, and shouted inwardly ‘Bingo!’ That gave me new momentum, after having undergone long hours of sheer frustration telling myself ‘That’s it! Let’s give up!’.
Tracing paper has always been a very useful tool to reach precision, and to save time when making corrections. I used quite a lot for that project in particular. It helped me place the dragon as best as possible, to go well with the other components of the illustration, and to avoid the trim area. It also enabled me to reposition a few things without having to start all over again, such as the mug and the flashlight.
I like the way I have drawn the dragon’s hind legs, and how the tail (like a nice scarf) wraps around its neck.
Besides working on the shape of the dragon and refining it, I thought about colours (see below). Colours... O sweet and beloved colours!
When the drawing was finished, I didn’t paint directly on it. Not until I managed to get a clear idea of the palette I wanted to use, and limit the range of colours as much as possible (I am crazy about colours!). It took me several drafts before feeling confident enough.
I scanned the finished drawing, made a few adjustments, and enhanced the contrast of the image so as to use it as a basis for tracing onto another piece of paper.
I also took some notes on the final colour palette that I kept near me while working.
It was only after I was completely done painting the whole illustration, that I dealt with the writings on the dragon’s book.
I wrote down the title of the book on a separate scrap of paper that I scanned, and then added it to the illustration on Photoshop.
Here is below the completed illustration. The bookmark will be printed out soon, and it will be available to purchase in my shop :)
The Cookbook
personal work, 2021.
Gouache, coloured pencil, and water-soluble pastel, on mixed media paper. About 9x31cm.