Course project

Goldilocks and The Three Bears

by Natali de Mello @natali_demello

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Introduction

I created two illustrations of a reinvented version of the Goldilocks and The Three Bears fairytale. I imagined something magical and scary. The first illustration, on the left, is of Goldilocks grabbing the littlest porridge. On the right is when Goldilocks is surprised by the bears when she lies in one of the beds.

Supplies

For the final illustrations, I used watercolour, Indian ink, coloured pencil, chalk pastels and golden ink (Windsor & Newton Gold).

Step 1: References

I searched for different illustrations of Goldilocks and The Three Bears - from more old-fashioned versions to more contemporary ones.

Step 2: Mental Map - Understanding The Story

To better understand the story, I used two books and started making notes, quick sketches, and a mind map. I noticed some important facts about the story, like working with proportions - big/small bowl, chair and bed, big bears/small Goldilocks. Through this map, I realized that I wanted to emphasize the name of the girl with her hair.

Step 3: Thumbnails and first sketch

I did several thumbnails of moments I thought would be interesting for my illustrations. I highlighted the ones I considered had potential and made a first sketch to start exploring mediums.

Step 4: Ink

I explored different inks, pencils and combinations of materials.

Step 5: Monotype and collage

I made an improvised monotype with a plastic I had and acrylic ink. I know it was not ideal, but it gave me an idea of the result. I also used some painted papers I had to experiment with collage.

Step 6: Final sketches

I tried two quick versions of a sketch and finalized my main sketch.

Step 7: Background

I used Indian ink, yellow watercolour, and golden ink to create the background and the main texture. Though I liked the result, I knew I wanted to work with more colours and applied green, to feel how the result would be. I thought it had potential and went through colouring the final illustrations.

Final illustrations

I enjoyed the process a lot, and I am very happy with the result! The illustrations are coloured but mysterious, with a mix of mediums. I took angled photos to capture the golden ink. I can already imagine a reinvented version of Goldilocks and The Three Bears on a coloured and very golden picture book :)