As usual I like sharing my illustration process from thumbnail sketches to final artwork. For this book I did all the line drawings in pencil by hand on tracing paper, scanned them into photoshop and applied the colors and textures digitally. Learn more about the book and author Judith Kajiwara here.

Pencil drawings on tracing paper

Scene outside Nihonmachi Little Friends
In the book, author Judith wanted to depict the preschool that her daughters attended many years ago, Nihonmachi Little Friends. She wanted to highlight its importance to the Japantown community. At the entrance Tamiko and her mommy are greeted by friends as other parents and caregivers drop off their children for the day.

Thumbnail sketch

Final sketch

Color sketch

Final artwork

Scene when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit.

In Judith’s original manuscript she described how Tamiko liked to show off her mask when friends and relatives would visit her home. So I created a sketch of Tamiko in her mask peeking from the side of the table. This inspired Judith to edit her text to match the scene more and described a visit by the grandparents enjoying cups of ocha and manju treats.

Thumbnail sketch

Final sketch

Color sketch

Final artwork

Scene when Tamiko in her silly green mask chases her little sister Mariko.

I enjoyed imagining and capturing the playful relationship between the sisters. Eventually Judith recalled that her younger daughter would always have a blanky as a child and asked that I include it.  

Thumbnail sketch

Final sketch Color sketch

Final artwork

Can you spot the black cat?

Judith thought it would be fun to have a black “cat” in every scene for young readers to discover. It is never referred to in the story’s text… is it even real? So I created a shadowy black cat creature that would interact and respond to the scene. Thanks Judy for this fun exercise to play with!