Hi artists and makers,

I’m sharing with you an in-depth checklist to look through to push your sketches and concepts as far as they can go. Wherever you are in your illustration journey, I hope this list makes an impact in your flow.

Intention is critical no matter what making, especially’s in today’s AI curious world. Understanding how I’m using the word sketch will help you get the most out of it. This list is for professionals, students and mentees to evaluate their sketches before moving to the next phase of the project. This may or may not include a client, deepening on the work you do. While you can apply these reminders to one sketch, many of the questions are evaluating about 3 sketches for a single concept.

For example, in the composition section it highlights checking the specs, horizontal or vertical orientation of the image. As an illustrator in book publishing arena, only on certain occasions do I get the opportunity to pick the specs of the book. Sometimes when one gets lost in ideation sketches start to change shape as paper or .psds are flying.

Basics:

• Is each sketch the same size/orientation?
• Is each sketch a unique direction of the concept?
• Is there enough room for the designer to add type if applicable?

Composition

• Does your focal point use the rule of thirds?
• Do elements in your sketch point to the focal point?
• Can you use framing to draw attention to the focal point?
• Are the elements in your scene well-balanced?
• Are there any tangents that distract the viewer?
• Does the choice of crop emphasize the story?
• Does the crop or gutter hit on a living thing’s joints?
• Check that there is a clear path for the eye to move through the artwork?

Perspective

• Do you sketches offer a variety vantage point or the same?
• Is each vantage point the best way to tell the story?
• Can you push the size relationship/distance of the subjects?
• Is there enough objects overlapping to create dimension?
• Check all elements share a common horizon line

Narration/Storytelling

• Is the mood or theme clear?
• Does the essence of the character(s) come through visually in their pose/expression/clothes/jewelry/hair/expression?
• Are there details that could benefit from repetition?
• Is the time period clear?
• Do all elements sketch serve a purpose?

Contrast and Focus

• Is the foreground/middle ground/background defined?
• Is your image clearly low key or high key? Can you nudge it one way or another?
• Is the focal point, the focus of the artwork?

Color and Light

• Does the color scheme add to the narrative? The mood?
• Is the light a critical actor in the story?
• Can you add or remove any colors based the relationship of your colors on the color wheel?
• What is the native/local color of each object?
• What is the temperature of your light?
• Are there areas that you anticipate might get muddy?

You’ll notice the way this list is ordered. I can describe this flow by looking at my work in progress through an unfocused camera, as the work evolves it becomes clearer and clearer in every way. You can think of it that way or as a pain in the butt method – what is the most painful revision to do? Composition, moving big elements, changing perspective… It’s best to find these things out first before you get farther along. Don’t delay!

IA bad first impression on sketches can lose a clients trust quickly and take the art down a rabbit hole. Take extra time to make the sketch the best it can be and it will put everyone on the same page. Print this out, send to a friend or stick on your wall!

Before I wrap up, I have something something for you to listen to. The Author of Sitting Pretty and We are the Scrappy Ones came together to talk about our experiences with growing up as creative sick kids. We intwine this and the work on creating We Are The Scrappy Ones all up on her podcast: This Too Listen or read here: Two Grown Up Sick Kids Talk Creativity, Boundaries, Language, and Binaries

There’s news about my first

My first author-illustrator book, The Big Empty has landed on some wonderful lists wrapping up 2025.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 Books Published in 2025

Best Nonfiction Elementary Books 2025

If you happen to have picked up a copy, thank-you for your support. And before you go – I created a vocabulary list that can be incorporated in the 1-8th grade that help kids and non-art teachers use words to better understand what they are looking at. As Ai grows we need to be able to talk about images and evaluate them. Read: Help Kids See Like Artists: Best Art Terms For Your Classroom Or Homeschool

 

I hope the list is helpful getting you unstuck or polished up for presentation. Until next time.

Sending smiles,

Kirbi