This is the first part of a self-initiated project illustrating the 100 Cupboards series by author N.D. Wilson. The series consists of three books for children: 100 Cupboards, Dandelion Fire and The Chestnut King. I chose to start with an illustration for the final book.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/23fb7df8faf1739d82a5c197998519fb/80379abb-9520-43dd-9e30-faf8618b7ba0_rw_600.jpg?h=bf2178151b196d318e6d3313bcb2278c)
Step 1
My initial idea was to convey an impression of a man's face using some of the key images from the book. I did a few rough sketches in pencil, then worked up a mockup in Adobe Illustrator.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/23fb7df8faf1739d82a5c197998519fb/bbccd92d-227c-4c38-809b-1f505be406b9_rw_600.jpg?h=6668810680beb9ebf5a9172420a2f0ad)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/23fb7df8faf1739d82a5c197998519fb/748734fd-7a14-45c3-940d-c2bf3afe8387_rw_600.jpg?h=d5bdd8f1d161b693b4fecccd945542e8)
Mockup done in Adobe Illustrator
Step 2
I wanted the illustration to have simplified vector forms, but also to keep a feeling of the hand-made. The work I do by hand often produces serendipitous results which I hadn't originally planned. I cut the letterforms out of paper and arranged them manually until I was happy with them. Then I created textures using charcoal and watercolour paint and applied them digitally in Photoshop.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/23fb7df8faf1739d82a5c197998519fb/e7a8a2ee-4578-4e25-a993-552a708e6c81_rw_600.jpg?h=3f714c6f967306f6dad036a5daac9b7a)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/23fb7df8faf1739d82a5c197998519fb/b3b2c8ff-1a74-4e8c-8fdd-ee61247ac09e_rw_600.jpg?h=053b5d3fc76a511ba4713e35f5a94608)
Detail of final work
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/23fb7df8faf1739d82a5c197998519fb/3a81c748-c7f2-46c1-8d22-f0fc9668cf2a_rw_600.jpg?h=92ff1b4270124bb0532aa9ae7fc37784)
Detail of final work
Step 3
I wanted to have this printed as a T-shirt, so I added 'secret' white elements which only appear on a coloured fabric. The white elements add a bit more contrast to the darker background.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/23fb7df8faf1739d82a5c197998519fb/caa26531-2019-4d2c-97ae-3b0df808389a_rw_600.jpg?h=aa864fa606ddb0a2714a57a8a1cfe61f)
If you like the image, it is available for sale as a print or T-shirt on TeePublic