Magic Time

OK, so this project came across my computer. The blog's name is "Where the Wild Kings Are" The client had no idea what she wanted, just that she wanted her family of 5 worked into the header (the client wanted a custom header only)

I could not resist the opportunity to take on a project like this! I mean, how could I not make this look like the book by Maurice Sendak "Where the Wild Things Are"? Now then, while I was sure I could do this...it was not a style I had illustrated in before. The client was totally on board with it...so off I go to create a her family version of a Maurice S. style header...

I started by illustrating each character in the woods setting like the book...Now you would think "wow Warden, you can draw" but here's the thing. I sketch the heck out of an illustration, then I clean it up (a ton) in Photoshop. What I lack in drawing skills, I make up for in Photoshop skills;) Believe me...I doctored the sh*t out of this pic. OK, so I get sketch approval from the client, now it's magic time...

First, I decided to add the color in Photoshop...Now, this looks pretty good, but the point of this project is not to make it pretty good. The project is to make the design look like the illustration work of Maurice Sendak. So, here is what I decided to do...I printed the image. Then, I did pen shading over the top. I knew on paper, that would look great, the unknown was "how will it look once I scaned it back onto my computer?"

Guess what, it looked better than I expected:) I was really pleased with the scanback...but it wasn't quite right...Then it hit me! I added a film gradient filter to it, and pow! It was done...Check it out...For this post, I shrunk the pixel size. Real size the film gradient is quite stunning. Basically,the goal was to give her family a Maurice Sendak, story book feel. I was winging it a bit, but I'm really happy with the result:)

On a completly unrelated note, I have been buried in blog work this week and I so have to play catch up with everyone:P I know it's lame, but I'm trying here. Oh, I emailed potential BFF...she wants to do a play date on Monday...Yay! I'll let you know how it goes...

33 comments

  1. VERY cool - does the client LOVE it!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fantastic. It is very creative work. I love it. Really, I mean that.


    I can't wait to hear about your playdate.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have SO much talent. I love what you did. Love.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is AWESOME!
    What a fabulous idea! I love that book and your pic is perfect! LOVE IT!
    Great job! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMG, you did an awesome job!!!!

    And where did you find the potential BFF? I've been looking for one of those, too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. We totally love it! It really captured the "story" look I wanted. Where the Wild Things Are was my favorite childhood book and with a last name like "King" and 3 kids, it just worked! Now I have the header to go with it! AWESOME JOB!!!! You guys can see it on the blog here: www.wherethewildkingsare.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Really nicely done. Clever as hell.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That looks amazing! You are awesome, seriously!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This looks fabulous! Just fabulous! I'm sure you client was thrilled!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is just incredible! Kudos to you.

    Print a copy and let it accidentally fall out of your purse on your play date, hee hee.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm diggin' this design! Girlie, you are talented!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Awesome, awesome! And the idea.. pure genius!!

    Good luck with the new potential BFF!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You did so well with this header! I knew you did good stuff, but wow! You captured the look/feel of the book exactly!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That is awesome you are so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You rule. Plain and simple. That header looks awesome - I love how your mind works - that you just can't rest until you get it right. Which is ONE of the reasons it was a total pleasure working with you....

    Can't wait to hear about the playdate with the new BFF - does she KNOW she's your new BFF? Maybe you can tell her on Monday...

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. That is JUST amazing! I love it! You rock!

    ReplyDelete
  17. GASP!!! That is GORGEOUS!! You should be so proud of yourself!! Love it, hon. I really do.

    ReplyDelete
  18. OMG!
    That is freaking fabulous!!! Cyn, that is amazing. I think it might be your most amazing work to date.
    I LOVE it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. to have photoshop skills is the same to me as the ability to build a spaceship.

    ReplyDelete
  20. you should be proud, very lovely and captured the feeling perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  21. holy cow girl! this is just plain amazing. you rocked it HARD! woo hoo!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow - that looks flipping awesome! I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. That is AWESOME! I love it. We read that book regularly in our house, and it is definitely awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  24. oh my...that is a great design! i am so impressed!!!!

    oh and very excited for you to have a playdate with your potential new BFF. can't wait to hear about it!

    ReplyDelete

Back to Top