Hand drawn illustration Men Health Magazine Seduction of the Fittest
Men’s Health Magazine collaborated with my illustration agency, Central Illustration, to commission a set of 15 spot illustrations for their August 2014 edition. The article in question delved into ways to enhance both external and internal well-being to boost one’s attractiveness and allure to the opposite sex.
The hand-drawn illustrations created to complement the article were categorized into three key aspects: clothing, food, and supplements. To ensure accuracy and alignment with the article’s theme, I had access to reference images that served as the foundation for my artwork.
Each illustration demanded meticulous attention to detail, which I achieved using a variety of fine liner Rotring pens. These pens allowed me to intricately shade, delineate stitch lines, and define intricate leaf patterns.
For consistency, I maintained a uniform size for all spot illustrations, positioning them at the centre of the A4 layout paper. To aid in precision, I utilized a lightbox to emphasize and highlight the lines of the drawings. Once the hand-drawn illustrations were finalized, I transitioned them into the digital realm by scanning them into Adobe Photoshop. Working in accordance with the article’s layout, I positioned the illustrations on the grid.
The process of infusing colour into the illustrations commenced within Photoshop, leveraging the software’s layering capabilities, filters, and brush tools. By creating a new layer beneath the illustration, I preserved the integrity of the fine black lines while employing the paintbrush tool to meticulously introduce a range of colours. This approach allowed me to craft shading and depth, effectively bringing the illustrations to life on the page.
The resulting illustrations were met with enthusiasm and seamlessly complemented the article, contributing to its overall visual appeal and cohesiveness.
