Ben and Michael is a fictional book about a boy and his father trying to live as a family after the loss of someone very special to them.
The main idea was born out of a social media challenge, but then it became this project about these two characters.
The main idea was born out of a social media challenge, but then it became this project about these two characters.
Behind the scenes
Thumbnails
I drew some thumbnails for each illustration to play around with the composition. As you can see, Michael was a gnome in the first sketches, but then he became an adorable child. Ben is half man and half moth.
Visual references
I knew I wanted to use digital watercolor for the illustrations. So I got some references for this type of media and also other references to draw the scenarios.
Character design
After deciding on the main characters, I created this model sheet to have a reference for different character angles.
Spot illustrations
Kitchen
Slide to see the sketch and final art.
Cover book and inner pages
Cover book
Slide to see the final art and inserted texts.