UK bookseller (and pb writer) here - I GASPED when I saw the final cover, and cannot wait to read this book. I have it pre-ordered to the bookshop, but the first copy in is MINE. Love your work!
Thank you for sharing your creative process! it's very reassuring to see the early sketches and it was interesting to see how everything turned out and how you used your references, it was the right call to use the sepia filter for the cute photo, congrats on this new book :D
New follower here, was drawn to your substack by your comic style and humour and had no idea you were an author illustrator. But this post has sold me! Pre ordering now!
I love these process post, Lian! You are magic in my eyes. Thank you for sharing. You added to my delight today. I’ll preorder your next book and enjoy the anticipation of it arriving. Peace, Maka
Amazing to see the evolution from thumbnail sketches to full-on colour cover. I love all the little details around the main image on the front. Whenever I see images like that, I always have fun spotting them all and seeing what they relate to in the book. I'm sure your little readers will enjoy doing the same! And thank you for the sneak peek at your super fast time lapse video! You make all that work seem effortless! Congratulations on your new book!!
I was wondering what scanner you use to scan all your artwork? the watercolor looks so good! (do you have a substack post about scanning artwork? i would definitely read that!)
Hi! I have the epson v600 scanner! It's a little pricey but does a great job at scanning and makes a HUGE difference compared to the crappy smaller scanner I had before. I go through the process of scanning in this post here: https://liantomato.substack.com/p/designing-an-elaborate-town-of-pigs
thanks so much! sorry to bother you again with another question, but have you ever made a post or video explaining how you edit your scans on photoshop? (i find it so tricky to make scans of traditional work look good on PS!) thanks!
No I haven’t unfortunately! There’s not much to it, I just usually up the saturation a little, play around in Levels to get the right contrast and sometimes I use selective color to bring up certain colors. Every scan is different and it’s just playing around with the sliders to see what looks best tbh I’m not a whiz at photoshop!
Loved seeing your book cover process! Thanks for sharing! I'm an aspiring author illustrator and it was really helpful to see your process:) Such a beautiful and thoughtful cover! Just preordered:) Can't wait for the bonus print...and to read the book, of course!
Prolific. Generous! I love seeing your process. I'm working on my first zine and have found your Substack to be very inspirational. Hope the book's a hit with the kids!
UK bookseller (and pb writer) here - I GASPED when I saw the final cover, and cannot wait to read this book. I have it pre-ordered to the bookshop, but the first copy in is MINE. Love your work!
WOW THANK YOU!!!! I appreciate it!!
Thank you for sharing your creative process! it's very reassuring to see the early sketches and it was interesting to see how everything turned out and how you used your references, it was the right call to use the sepia filter for the cute photo, congrats on this new book :D
Thank you!!! Happy to hear this post was helpful!
New follower here, was drawn to your substack by your comic style and humour and had no idea you were an author illustrator. But this post has sold me! Pre ordering now!
AW THANK YOU!!!
I love these process post, Lian! You are magic in my eyes. Thank you for sharing. You added to my delight today. I’ll preorder your next book and enjoy the anticipation of it arriving. Peace, Maka
Thank you so much!!!
Such a lovely result, great work Lian!
Amazing to see the evolution from thumbnail sketches to full-on colour cover. I love all the little details around the main image on the front. Whenever I see images like that, I always have fun spotting them all and seeing what they relate to in the book. I'm sure your little readers will enjoy doing the same! And thank you for the sneak peek at your super fast time lapse video! You make all that work seem effortless! Congratulations on your new book!!
Thank you Michela!!! Appreciate you!
Squeeee - that was awesome to follow along!! There is something mesmerising about watching water colour slowly bleed onto paper
AW yea it's soo satisfying to watch the timelapse!
That cover is perfect and I really enjoyed seeing your process. Congrats on the launch!
thank you!
love this! the nautical vibes are so good!
I was wondering what scanner you use to scan all your artwork? the watercolor looks so good! (do you have a substack post about scanning artwork? i would definitely read that!)
Hi! I have the epson v600 scanner! It's a little pricey but does a great job at scanning and makes a HUGE difference compared to the crappy smaller scanner I had before. I go through the process of scanning in this post here: https://liantomato.substack.com/p/designing-an-elaborate-town-of-pigs
thanks so much! sorry to bother you again with another question, but have you ever made a post or video explaining how you edit your scans on photoshop? (i find it so tricky to make scans of traditional work look good on PS!) thanks!
No I haven’t unfortunately! There’s not much to it, I just usually up the saturation a little, play around in Levels to get the right contrast and sometimes I use selective color to bring up certain colors. Every scan is different and it’s just playing around with the sliders to see what looks best tbh I’m not a whiz at photoshop!
Looks so good lian!
Hehe thank you!!!
Loved seeing your book cover process! Thanks for sharing! I'm an aspiring author illustrator and it was really helpful to see your process:) Such a beautiful and thoughtful cover! Just preordered:) Can't wait for the bonus print...and to read the book, of course!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I'm so glad to hear this was helpful!
Congratulations Lian!
Thank you!!
Prolific. Generous! I love seeing your process. I'm working on my first zine and have found your Substack to be very inspirational. Hope the book's a hit with the kids!
Thank you 💕 Good luck on your first zine!!
That cover!! Love the direction you ended up going with. 🧭 And I can’t wait for Don’t Eat Eustace to join Pig Town Party on our bookshelf!
THANKS SO MUCH ERIKA!! I love the little cover too!! you are so sweet thank you for your support <3
Of course!! 🥰
I am so excited for the book! I just saw a few inside pages on Amazon and it looks so funny! Please make this available in India though 🥹
Ah thank you!!! I'll definitely let my publisher know that there's interest for it in India! I'm hoping they bring it there too!
I’m so glad that cover got picked!
me too!!