To get started on the illustration for the play, I needed to position the elements that would go into the image. I started with the photograph of the location. Then, in Photoshop, I cut out the figures of Titania and Bottom from my layout sketch and put them in a new layer over the location. I moved them around a bit until I found a spot where they could believably be sitting.
I added the more detailed sketch of Titania and Bottom on top. Then I cut out the fairy actors and moved them around, resizing them until I was happy with them.
I also cut out the arm and head of Titania from my photo and placed them on top.
Then I started sketching on a layer above these elements. I blocked in the main forms I wanted to use in the background. I refined the figures of Titania and Bottom. Based on information about the actual costumes the actors would be wearing in the play, I gave Titania a sort of crown made of sticks. I also changed my mind about fairy placement.
I added bodies and wings for the fairies and added a few background details.
This was the final drawing I used to paint the image from. In the next post I’ll talk about the painting process.