Unveiling the Artistic Layers of ‘Grandma’s Flowering Tea’: A Digital Collage Odyssey

When I first embarked on the artistic odyssey of illustrating ‘Grandma’s Flowering Tea’ back in 2017, I found myself submerged in a creative process that far surpassed initial expectations. What began as a humble storyboard evolved into an intricate work, spanning over 50 layers for each spread and accumulating an astonishing more than 500 layers throughout the entire book. The decision not to merge layers reflected the foresight needed for future adjustments.

In this blog post, I will delve into the unique techniques employed during the creation of “Grandma’s Flowering Tea,” using it as a case study for the limitless possibilities of digital collage. Peeling back the layers of this endeavour offers a unique glimpse into the intersection of art and technology, where every layer contributes to the richness of the final work.

Sketching on Storyboard
The journey commenced with simple storyboard sketches, laying the foundation for the narrative. Crafting the main characters and establishing the backdrop set the stage for the layout. The decision-making process included determining which elements would benefit from added textures and which would be digitally illustrated.

Scanning Sketches
Scanning the initial sketches marked the next step, importing them into vector software (Adobe Illustrator). Each element, from character features to environmental details, was meticulously crafted on individual layers. This strategic layering allowed for flexibility in future adjustments; be it in terms of position, colour, or minor modifications.

Prepping the Textures and Patterns
Venturing beyond the digital realm, I incorporated real-world textures such as photographs of my home walls, scanned paper textures, and pages from lined notebooks to capture nuanced details. Seamless patterns were created using Adobe Illustrator, adding depth to the digital canvas.

Digital Illustration with Sticker Effect
Attention to detail extended to even the smallest components, such as delicate plants. Opting for a digital approach, I meticulously illustrated each against a white background in Adobe Photoshop. These elements were then carefully cropped, creating a sticker-like image. Back in 2018, I did not have an iPad to work with, so all my digital drawing was done in Adobe Photoshop on my laptop which comes with a touchscreen and a pen.

Combining or Masking Texture into Elements
The art of combining or masking textures into elements came into play in Adobe Photoshop. This involved layering textures onto shape layers, creating a visually appealing and textured effect. Grouping layers belonging to the same element facilitated organization, ensuring a streamlined workflow. There is a shortcut for this; put the texture layer on top of the shape layer, press the Alt button, go to the middle line and click it. The texture will fill in the shape. And yes, with the growing technology in digital art, this can be easily done on apps such as Procreate.

Paper-Effect Pages
To add an extra layer of authenticity, a faux paper effect was introduced. Scanning watercolour paper or any textured paper, adjusting colours to impart a warm or cool tone, and placing it atop all elements created the illusion of working on textured paper. This detail, when printed on smooth paper, added a tangible and aesthetic dimension to the overall presentation.

Conclusion
Digital collage opens the door to incorporating multimedia elements seamlessly. Whether it’s integrating scanned textures, photographs, or hand-drawn illustrations, the digital canvas becomes a dynamic space where various mediums converge. One of the advantages of digital collage lies in its dynamic nature. Layers can be adjusted, elements moved, and colours modified with ease, allowing artists to experiment and refine their creations iteratively.