This tutorial will lead you through the steps of creating a children’s book illustration that can be edited and changed when the author you are working with wants minor changes made to the art. And when using this kind of layout, the changes will be easy and generally painless for you, as the artist.
Preview of Final Results
![clip_image002 clip_image002](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image002.jpg)
Children’s Book Illustration Photoshop Tutorial
- Program: Photoshop 7
- Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
- Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes
Step 1
To begin, it is a good idea to start with the publishing standard 8 x 10 illustration size. You want to make sure that there are enough pixels per inch to allow you to have a good amount of work space, so the basic pixels/inch I go to is 300.![clip_image004 clip_image004](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image004.jpg)
Step 2
Using the paint bucket tool, fill in the background with color # 346900. This is a great background color that I often use for outdoors scenes, just because it offers a very good color scheme.![clip_image006 clip_image006](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image006.jpg)
Step 3
Create a new layer above the background and title it background trees. This will begin to create depth in the picture, and will provide a backdrop for the scene.![clip_image008 clip_image008](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image008.jpg)
Step 4
Now time to begin laying out the trees. Using color # 551F01 and a small round brush* block in a few trees in the top third of the drawing. Do not make them disappear into the background however, as this will make the camera look like it is peering downward at a very sharp angle.![clip_image010 clip_image010](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image010.jpg)
Step 5
Make a new layer above this and title it background tree outline.![clip_image012 clip_image012](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image012.jpg)
Step 6
Using color #262626, outline the trees. By using a grey rather than black, it will soften the edges, and keep the picture from looking too harsh.Do not outline the bottom of the tree. By leaving it, the tree will look like it is growing out of he ground rather than like it is pasted onto the background.
![clip_image014 clip_image014](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image014.jpg)
Step 7
Next, create two or three wavy lines running vertically up the tree trunks. Do not create more, or it will look to line-y. This will give the impression of tree bark.![clip_image016 clip_image016](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image016.jpg)
Step 8
Using the same color and brush as before, outline brushes that are surrounding the trees. It may appear awkward looking at this stage, but it will allow the picture to have a solid background, and by leaving the background very green, will make the forest appear very dense.![clip_image018 clip_image018](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image018.jpg)
Step 9
Erase the tree lines and brown color that lies within the bushes outline. Also make any last changes to the bushes’ outlines, correcting shape and placement as necessary.![clip_image020 clip_image020](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image020.jpg)
Step 10
Where there are bare ends of the trees, make a puff of leaves similar to what was done with the bushes. Then erase all lines and tree trunk that falls within its border.![clip_image022 clip_image022](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image022.jpg)
Step 11
Now this is the last step for detailing the lines of the trees. Try to keep it simple by indicating leaves rather than drawing each individual one.![clip_image024 clip_image024](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image024.jpg)
Step 12
Now to color the leaves of the bushes and trees, make a new layer above the tree background layer but below the layer with the outline.![clip_image026 clip_image026](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image026.jpg)
Step 13
Now take a size 95 pixel (soft edged brush) set to 25% opacity and highlight the tree leaves and bushes using color #6DBB21. The lightest parts will be on the leaves that were indicated earlier.![clip_image028 clip_image028](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image028.jpg)
Step 14
The last step for the leaves is to take color #1F3F00 and add shadows to the bottom of the bushes and shadows underneath the leaves.![clip_image030 clip_image030](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image030.jpg)
Step 15
The last step in finishing the trees is to highlight and add shadows. A good highlight color is #844202, and the shadow I used is #3B1D00. It is a good idea to add a slight highlight to the center of the trunk, and then to make one side of the trunk lighter than the other.![clip_image032 clip_image032](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image032.jpg)
Step 16
To finish the background itself, add a few transparent tree trunks, and using a very transparent soft edged brush and color #FFBE33, add some light filtering through the trees.To add shadows beneath the trees use color #004111.
![clip_image034 clip_image034](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image034.jpg)
Step 17
Now, create a new layer and title it “stream”.![clip_image036 clip_image036](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image036.jpg)
Step 18
To create the base for the stream, create a winding brown (color #361300) area that gets thicker as it approaches the foreground of the picture.![clip_image038 clip_image038](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image038.jpg)
Step 19
Now using color #008A8C, alternate the side that shows brown. This will make the stream have a bank.![clip_image040 clip_image040](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image040.jpg)
Step 20
Now, make a new layer and title it water. This is the layer where we will be detailing the stream.![clip_image042 clip_image042](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image042.jpg)
Step 21
Use the magic wand tool and select the blue area from the layer below. Next, take color #00494A and using a soft-edged 20% opaque brush, add the shadows. This can be done by swiping the brush horizontally across the selected area, concentrating on the areas where the bank is overshadowing the water.![clip_image044 clip_image044](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image044.jpg)
Step 22
Highlight the water with a brush set to 5% opacity, using color #8EDFD8. Try to concentrate on the center of the stream.![clip_image046 clip_image046](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image046.jpg)
Step 23
Gaussian blur the “water” layer, this will soften the water and blend the dark and light just a little.![clip_image048 clip_image048](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image048.jpg)
![clip_image050 clip_image050](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image050.jpg)
Step 24
Next, switch back to the “stream” layer and Gaussian blur it as well. This is going to get rid of the harsh bank without making it appear fuzzy.![clip_image052 clip_image052](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image052.jpg)
![clip_image054 clip_image054](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image054.jpg)
Step 25
Time to lighten the lights. Go back to the “water” layer, and use the dodge tool (highlights mode, 30% exposure, soft round brush) to lighten the middle of the stream.![clip_image056 clip_image056](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image056.jpg)
Step 26
The last step before the stream is finished is to darken the darks with the burn tool. Set the tool to midtones mode, and 16% exposure, and darken the shadows cast by the stream’s banks.![clip_image058 clip_image058](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image058.jpg)
Step 27
Now make a new layer titled “grass”. This is going to be the layer that changes the green mass into what looks like grass.![clip_image060 clip_image060](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image060.jpg)
Step 28
Rending realistic grass is very easy if you use the right brush and the right settings. Find the grass brush (basic brushes, about two thirds of the way down the brush list) that is leaning to the right and copy the settings below.Under “other dynamics” turn both the opacity jitter and flow jitter off.
To create realistic looking grass, use a very light hand when you are around the base of the trees, and a very heavy hand as you move towards the front of the picture. I also switched between a size 200 pixel brush and a 140 pixel brush.
The two light colors are:
#3B7B00
#346900
The two dark colors are:
#254800
#2D5900
*Make sure you can see some of the base color through the grass, or else it will look fake!
![clip_image062 clip_image062](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image062.jpg)
![clip_image064 clip_image064](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image064.jpg)
![clip_image066 clip_image066](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image066.jpg)
![clip_image068 clip_image068](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image068.jpg)
Step 29
Now erase the grass that appears to be growing out of the water and bank.![clip_image070 clip_image070](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image070.jpg)
Step 30
Copy the entire “grass” layer and paste it onto a new layer. Use Ctrl+t to allow stretching of the picture, and completely stretch the picture down to a thin strip, and then past the middle and to the other side to flip the image.Adjust the grass to fit right, and erase the stray grass (that is coving part of the trees and bushes, or is now growing out of the bank.
![clip_image072 clip_image072](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image072.jpg)
![clip_image074 clip_image074](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image074.jpg)
Step 31
Copy the front section of the “grass” layer and repeat step 30 for this as well on the right side of the brook.Use color #3D7500 to add a few stray grasses off the bank on both sides (size 13 brush with all brush settings unchecked except shape dynamics).
![clip_image076 clip_image076](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image076.jpg)
And, you’re done with the background!
If you want, you can turn off the background tree outline layer for a different look!These two different approaches will allow you to create an entire digital painting in which anything can be added or altered (within reason of course) with little effort if whoever is paying you wants something changed.
![clip_image078 clip_image078](http://photoshoptutorials.ws/images/stories/CreateaChildrensBookIllustrationPartIThe_F00C/clip_image078.jpg)
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