
Now, he works as a freelance artist in magazine & newspaper illustration, web graphics, logo design and general illustration. The NJ Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists awarded Mike a first- and third-place for his editorial cartoons for newjerseynewsroom.com in 2010.
His children’s book illustrations are done in pencil and pen & ink, and then painted in Photoshop.
First up is an illustration done for NJSCBWI’s June 2010 illustrator intensive. I chose to illustrate a double-truck spread from Peter McCarty’s wonderful book, “Jeremy Draws a Monster.”

After I do some character sketches, I sketch out the spread at a larger size, so it can be reduced for the final (it tightens up the drawing).

Once the art director approves the initial sketch — after whatever tweaking or changes he/she needs, I transfer the drawing to a better grade of paper (usually 80 lb. drawing paper) using a light table. I ink the final with Micron felt pens and technical pens.

Then I scan the inked drawing into Photoshop. With this illustration, drew and scanned Jeremy and the monster separately. I wanted Jeremy to be outlined in black, but the rest of the illustration outlined in a blue line to make Jeremy stand out more. Using layer masks in Photoshop, I adjusted the color of the outlines to blue and placed Jeremy and the monster in the illustration. Photoshop is also great because it allows me to place the type.

Now I’m ready to apply the “paint” in Photoshop. I work with layers in Photoshop, so every element’s color is on its own layer —this is one advantage about Photoshop: if I need to adjust any element, I can go to that element’s layer and not affect any other item in the illustration. I try to map out the color of the entire drawing in my mind.


Mike just joined the Sprouts Magazine team as designer, working with our Art Director Leeza Hernandez. Mike lives in East Brunswick with his wife Sue and their beagle-dashound Abbey, the wonder dog.
Hope you enjoyed getting a little insight into Mike’s art. If you would like to see more, you can visit his website www.mikescottwork.com
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Kathy, I am simply blown away by Mike’s work. I believe I have one of his postcards from the conference! Photoshop looks amazing!
Mike, I couldn’t click on your link fast enough. I just LOVED seeing how you work and amSO impressed. Glad to hear you’ll be helping Leeza too. I imagine it’ll help free her up a bit 🙂
Donna
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By: :Donna Marie on September 25, 2010
at 1:54 am
Mike, your are awesome! Glad I got to meet you at the June Conf. Thanks so much for sharing your work and thoughts here!!!
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By: Kathleen Rupff on September 25, 2010
at 11:39 am
very nice artwork
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By: Stephen Macquignon on September 30, 2010
at 9:16 am
very nice work I use the same pen 🙂
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By: Stephen Macquignon on January 15, 2011
at 8:56 am
Mike it’s joyce Klein 7326007287 moss’ wife need to talk to you about 3 projects ASAP I am usually up till 1:30 am and turn my phone off so you can leave your number I couldn’t find it anywhere !!
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By: Joyce and Moss klein on October 17, 2018
at 7:04 pm