‘Tis the season to be jolly! It’s a merry month indeed because I have four spot illustrations for the Christmas issue of Total Girl Philippines. These are so far my favorite illustrations that I’ve done for them.

Spot illustration #1 – Yaya's Little Helper, article illustration

Spot illustration #2

For the “Yaya’s Little Helper” article, the art director wanted a watercolor-painted background, so I played around with different textures and ended up with just a hint of blue for the whole thing, and big splashes of color behind each spot illustration. I originally made three illustrations for the article. Unfortunately, there’s only room for two, but I’m still posting the third one here.

Yaya's Little Helper, main image – Digital work in Illustrator, sketch

Spot illustration #2 – Sketch, digital work in Illustrator

(Unused) Spot illustration #3 – Digital work in Illustrator, sketch

Yaya's Little Helper, article illustration, Total Girl December 2011

Here’s another illustration I made, this time for the “‘Tis the Season to Get Smarter” article.

'Tis the Season to Get Smarter, article illustration

'Tis the Season to Get Smarter, article illustration

Digital work in Illustrator, Sketch

Total Girl Philippines December 2011– 'Tis the Season to Get Smarter

Then, the monthly TG to the Rescue section.

TG to the Rescue illustration (December 2011)

TG to the Rescue sketch

original illustration

I had to revise the TG to the Rescue illustration to make room for a wider space, so I moved a couple of items here and there around the room. I also had to simplify the background and add a fly coming out of the girl’s wallet. (She’s too broke, there’s nothing to squeeze out of it. In Filipino, nilalangaw na yung wallet). For the TG to the rescue, and most of the articles, the art director usually gives me instructions on the overall look of the scene.

TG to the Rescue illustration (December 2011)

TG to the Rescue, Total GIrl Philippines

I’m no tween anymore, but I surely enjoyed reading the magazine, flipping each colorful page eagerly. It’s not only true for this particular issue, but for all the others too. Rest assured, I’m not biased. Well, maybe just a bit, but seriously it’s still fun to read even though you might be too old for the magazine’s target audience.