![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/22cf38184691007.655cd34ab0064.jpg)
We were invited by The Washington Post to create a series of editorial illustrations for their
Exploring a still-life style with 2D and 3D elements combined, the series plays with the themes of each article section in a different way but with a common thread running through.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/c016fd184691007.655cdf69ed8ea.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/d4bafa184691007.655cdf69eb526.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/c4bf22184691007.655cdf69e9721.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/1aaca3184691007.655cdf69eeea0.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/01a604184691007.655cdf69ebfef.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/ce70d6184691007.655cdf69ee27a.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/882ac5184691007.655cdf69ea5c7.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/9ebfab184691007.655cdf69ecc96.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/84bed5184691007.656dbe6f2b4b8.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/71d0d4184691007.655642fbb0eb7.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/258934184691007.655642fbb1a57.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/7faeb7184691007.655642fc34a3e.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/c1a8c6184691007.655642fc9532a.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/5753b5184691007.655642fc9473d.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/c2be0f184691007.656dbe6f91bf8.jpg)
Whilst the elements are all created in 3D, we wanted to give a more tactile feel to them and hint of confusion to the illustration as to how it was created. Consistent texturing gives an almost oil-painted effect, while hand-drawn patterns are projected onto the 3D models to make them feel more tangible and playful.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/b6e2cb184691007.655645d47ba1f.jpg)
Each illustration in the series makes reference to the article in a more or less direct way. We particularly enjoy this example of the Books selection; our stack of books includes a magnifying glass and skull in a cup of tea for the murder mystery recommendations, while we have a bird sat atop the pile for a bird-watching guide, and the well-known character Bluey is tucked among the books.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/c5ae82184691007.655cd9306af2c.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/ab6c2c184691007.655cd9306994c.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/ecaf04184691007.656dbe70023fa.jpg)
Before adding colour and texture, it helps to see the series in black and white and get a consistent feel across the lighting, composition and shapes.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/d4eec8184691007.655cdf6aabd06.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/3250da184691007.655cdf6aab08f.jpg)
With this project in particular, having so many different elements with varied product designs, it's important to check that objects work together and don't feel disjointed.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/4e14a4184691007.655cdf6b3ec9e.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/5dad82184691007.655cdf6b40072.png)
Hand-modelling every element with consistency in technique helped us to achieve the final look of a series of still-life illustrations.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/ca4d3e184691007.655ce16fc787e.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/db2a4d184691007.655ce16fc696c.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/34d663184691007.656dbe706e290.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/dbeb66184691007.655642fdc6174.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/7d1bba184691007.655642fdc7005.jpg)
A reduced colour palette is always a challenge and in this case we wanted each image to feel definitive and self-contained while keeping in line with the series. We love balancing the colours and seeing the set of illustrations as a whole.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/281f42184691007.655cd93109489.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/46e31b184691007.655cd9310764b.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/b4a80a184691007.655cd9310a091.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/770f42184691007.655cd93108704.png)
As with every project, this one began with 2D sketches to get an understanding of the composition and how the illustrations work as a series. We worked to get the same perspective in each image and the arrangement and sizing of elements feels consistent across the set.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/f574e7184691007.655cd931be1ba.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/50a61d184691007.655cd931c0859.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/5a3bf3184691007.655cd931bfc60.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/6423c6184691007.655cd931bf074.png)
The main illustration also started life as a rough sketch with the idea of a character arranging the products neatly, a hint to 'Santa's workshop' without any obvious reference to Christmas either in the colours or the style.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/496265184691007.655cd93289f55.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/7a0794184691007.655cd9328ad4a.jpg)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/8ba2f8184691007.655ce251eac44.png)