Illustration drafting ideas and decisions.

I drafted the next stage of the illustrations going back and forth between the manuscript, my notes, and rough illustrations to try to consolidate ideas and concepts. Trying to include more monsters which Lars said he loved and wanted monsters everywhere.

The first full illustration I did was of Nytorv 3 with monsters all over it.

I wanted the building to be squished a bit like a horror house but also a bit like a cute Christmas house you see in the stores with little lights in them. I thought a cozy feel with monsters would be cool and hopefully the children would love it.

The next meeting was with Lars and Helle Sorensen. They both loved the illustration and other sketches I presented at the meeting so I knew I was on the right track with the concepts and also the monster designs.

There were many things to consider when illustrating the book and some of these were:

mythological creatures and characters - should I illustrate them the same way they have always been illustrated throughout history or should I try something different. The safe way would be to create the same style creatures - but I have a curious nature and also very well aware the people become desensitized to things they see all the time so I decided to go my own way a little but still try to stay within the scope of Lars's descriptions.

My Nisse design for spot illustrations. They are far different from the traditional designs.

This lead to lots of sketches to try to find the right balance and to make everything interesting enough that the readers would be curious and ask questions of the illustrations.

I love to draw illustrations that cause the reader to have many questions, to smile, or to feel things. If I drew a picture of a bird monster just standing staring what worth is that.

Monsters under the bed

But if I draw a picture of a monster hiding under the bed suddenly childhood fears comes into play for children and adults who may be reading the book. This then leads to may questions. Also because the monsters in the illustrations seem curious and safe which then leads to more questions. Are fears real or do we just make them up.

Continue to Christmas Peace 3