Jonathan Bartlett, an illustrator based in Manhattan, creates some spectacular work that combines pencil drawings, Photoshop, and an adventurous use of colour and subject.

I asked him a couple of questions surrounding these special pictures.

What are your illustration tools and what is your work process?

Everything starts traditionally with a graphite drawing on Denril. I don’t use ink. As an early step I will decide on color before hand, usually in a very quick comp over the rough sketch, to ensure color harmony. I’m pretty methodical and know the goal before I start.

The next step is combining layers and layers of scanned objects with Photoshop techniques. At this point, I feel like I am painting with the computer, just not in the traditional sense of the phrase.

What are you working on at the moment?

Currently I’m developing a series of works for a personal book about people’s mannerisms; an image for a ‘mother earth’ themed show at the Society of Illustrators (keep your eye out for it this summer!), and various editorial projects.

Thanks, JB!

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