From sketch to final
The Process
Every piece moves through the same considered stages — whether it's a card design or a layered storytelling commission. Here's what to expect.
01
Brief & references
We start with a conversation — what the piece is for, who it's for, the places or moments at the heart of it. You share photos, memories and any references; I ask the questions that help shape the composition.
Deliverable · Brief notes, reference pack, indicative timeline.
Studio reference imagery added per commission.02
Pencil sketch
A loose, working sketch to lock down composition, viewpoint and proportion. Plenty of room here to move things around before any ink lands.
Deliverable · Pencil sketch shared for sign-off, with one round of revisions.
Studio reference imagery added per commission.03
Inking
Hand-drawn line work in fine-liner — the part with no undo button. Building the structure, character and weight of the piece line by line.
Deliverable · Inked artwork, hand-drawn from the approved sketch.
Studio reference imagery added per commission.04
Detail & refinement
Textures, shading, hand-rendered type and the small details that make it feel alive — windows lit just so, ivy in the right corner, the dog under the table.
Deliverable · Finished original, scanned at high resolution.
Studio reference imagery added per commission.05
Final piece
Colour-balanced, prepared for print and delivered — original artwork, archival giclée print, or digital files for commercial use, depending on the brief.
Deliverable · Final delivery, packaged and shipped (or files supplied).
Studio reference imagery added per commission.
Materials
Fine-liner ink, archival pencils, heavyweight cartridge and watercolour paper. Giclée prints on Hahnemühle archival stock.
Techniques
Observational drawing on location, layered ink, hand-rendered type and the occasional wash of muted colour.
Behind the scenes
Sketch progressions, time-lapses and studio moments live on Instagram.
Typical timeline
From enquiry to delivery
Most bespoke commissions land within six to eight weeks. Rush requests are considered where the studio queue allows.
Week 0
Enquiry & brief call. Quote & deposit.
Week 1
References gathered, pencil sketch begins.
Week 2–3
Sketch sign-off, inking begins.
Week 4–6
Detail, refinement, final approval.
Week 6–8
Print production, packaging & delivery.