Author Archives: Jessica Linn Evans

Now that I have my color script established, I’m getting ready to put paint on paper. Yay! But my Arches, bright white, 300 lb, cold press paper is too big for the gator board I’ll be stretching it onto. It’s a bit fussy to get out the Exact-o knife, so…

The sketches have been approved for the book I’m illustrating! The next step is a color script. I chose a color palette based on the Van Gogh paintings on the art studio’s walls in the book. Coming up: prepping to watercolor! #NotFinishedYetBook by Sharon Garlough Brown (release date, 2024 by IVP Kids). #illustrationprocess #kidlit #kidlitartContinue reading “Color Script”

Another example of level 1 and level 2 sketches. This is Wren, the main character for the #NotFinishedYetBook by Sharon Garlough Brown (release date, 2024 by IVP Kids). #illustrationprocess #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #characterdesign #sketchbook

Here’s another Van Gogh master copy in process. Just enough like the original to look kind of like the illustration of a copy of a painting. #NotFinishedYetBook by Sharon Garlough Brown (release date, 2024 by IVP Kids). #illustrationprocess #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #chalkpastels #sketchbook

A couple of the images in the book I’m illustrating have some Van Gogh paintings in them. So I had to try to copy the master of oil paint without oil paints. It’s not perfect (of course) but I think it will look like there’s a copy of the original hanging on the wall! TheContinue reading “Copying a master”

Another peek into my sketch process. Here’s a rough sketch—level 1—and a more refined sketch—level 2 of Australian lorikeets for the #NotFinishedYetBook by Sharon Garlough Brown (release date, 2024 by IVP Kids). #illustrationprocess #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #characterdesign #sketchbook #lorikeets

When I make a storyboard for a book, I do a very rough sketch—level 1—to pound out the composition concept. Once the concept is solidified I move on to a more refined sketch—level 2. Here’s an example of level 1 and level two from my current WIP, the #NotFinishedYetBook by Sharon Garlough Brown (release date,Continue reading “Sketch levels”

This project is rolling! Here are a few sketches of the main character from the #NotFinishedYetBook by Sharon Garlough Brown to be released in 2024 by IVP Kids! Keep a look out for more peeks from my sketchbook and painting desk as the summer continues! #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #characterdesign #sketchbook

“The pleasing sequencing in Penguin Sets Sail will have children readily interpreting the pictures, making connections to the story and the characters. This picture book is an excellent choice for any young storyteller or story time listener.” – The Children’s Book Review “ Penguin Sets Sale is a sweet story of exploration and friendship, of imagination and the hopes of home.” -S. D.Continue reading “What People Are Saying About Penguin Sets Sail“

One of the first things I do when illustrating a book is to draw up or print out a storyboard. This is an outstanding tool for planning out illustrations! Here I make chicken-scratch thumbnail sketches and map out the emotional arc of the manuscript. Once I establish the emotion I want each illustration to portrayContinue reading “Illustration process: First steps”