Illustration – “C” is for Caterpillar & …

I’ve begun a new creative project to help me learn and discover my own illustration style. I work on it in the wee hours of the morning after I complete an illustration class, and before I go to my full time creative job. That’s a lot of creativity, and at the heart of creativity – is constant change. Change can also come with some joy, eventually! For the caterpillar, change and transformation is its purpose, as well as being the star of my illustrated or illuminated alphabet letter “C.”

Once the refined sketch is looking pretty good, I transfer the file into another program that I have been doing my very best to learn, Rebelle. It’s a great painting program, however learning it is similar to learning how to roller skate. I utter many “Waaaahhh? Whoa…Wait!” I use the watercolour features, and ….the paint moves within simulated water. Ya, pretty cool.

This is the desktop screenshot of working in Rebelle. Instead of Arches watercolour paper taped down and pots of brushes – it appears I work in the cockpit of an airplane. At least it feels that way to me! In this phase I am trying to capture the soft squishy, jelly feel of the caterpillar.

Once I am happy with the texture, lighting, and values, I add the natural markings of this Black Swallowtail Butterfly before it transforms. Then back it goes into Photoshop – one layer at a time – for the finishing touches and text.

And this is my finished illustrated letter “C.” However, now I was very curious. I’ve seen a chrysalis, but I had never seen a how caterpillars actually transform or witness the process of their change into a chrysalis. Did it take weeks? Was it like spinning silk? Thanks to Britannica and the world of Youtube I sat in awe watching it happen. Seven minutes! Caterpillars transform into a chrysalis in seven minutes, and it’s another amazing miracle of nature.

Now of course I wanted to see the Black Swallowtail Butterfly make it’s grand appearance into the world. How exactly does that happen, how long does it take (a little over two minutes) and what does that change look like?

This is what happens within any form of productive creativity, it expands the mind, creates questions and inspires a journey for the facts and awareness. Perhaps our caterpillar friend is showing us part of our own purpose on this planet if we choose – the kindhearted and determined effort, and the beauty, and the joy of change.

Well I had fun! There’s 25 more letters to illustrate, and here is a “sneak peek” at the next illustrated letter in my alphabet – V. 🙂
Until then, thank you for your time!