Valerya Milovanova’s Sketchbook Routine and Illustration Process
Combining Traditional and Digital Media
Valerya Milovanova is a UK-based illustrator who combines traditional materials with digital media like Procreate to make fun and heartwarming illustrations. She also loves screen printing, monoprinting, and RISO techniques to enhance her storytelling.
Starting with Sketchbooks
Before we go on, and if you’re inspired by Valerya, then read our list of Procreate tutorials to get started in this app, and our guide to the best iPads for drawing. Read our xTool Screen Printer review too, for a device to get started in this craft.
Valerya uses her sketchbooks in an "unconventional" way. They’re more of a tool to achieve unique and unexpected textures and brushstrokes that are then transferred to the Procreate app. All her illustrations begin on paper, where she feels more free to experiment and assist happy accidents.
Traditional Process
I graduated from the University of Hertfordshire’s Illustration course in 2023 and applied to several picturebook illustration agencies seeking representation. Advocate Art has responded quite promptly and I have been working with them for almost two years since," shares Valerya. Take a look at Valerya’s work on her website.
She adds: "I have also participated in several illustration competitions during my studies, such as the Batsford Prize, and later that year the Unpublished Picturebook showcase. Being shortlisted for those awards helped me kickstart my career and opened a path for new opportunities."
Digital Process
"I usually start with a physical drawing on paper with watercolour, gouache, charcoal pencils, and sometimes ink," she says.
She continues: "The digital process for me consists of colour editing (through curves and colour balance in Procreate) and then I draw over the painting with digital brushes. And if I start with a black and white ink painting, I first colour it to achieve the desired look with Multiply and Overlay layers."
Texture and Media
Since texture is very important for Valerya, I ask her what combination of tools and media allows her to achieve it, and she replies, "Watercolour, ink, charcoal, coloured pencils, and gouache (still testing it out)."
Sketchbook Routine
I ask Valerya how did you develop a sketchbook routine and how do you manage to stay consistent?
"I do carry a small sketchbook with me everywhere, but I still don’t use it every time. It’s nice to have it and draw on the way home after meeting with friends, or while waiting for a coffee and a bun, or at the busy London pub where people won’t notice you are spying on them," she says.
She then adds: "I think I can work on being more consistent with my sketchbook practice, as sometimes I just don’t have the energy to create after working on books."
Inspirations and Goals
I ask Valerya to point out her favorite pages, ”Definitely the most spontaneous ones, where I drew quickly, trying to grasp the form and the character of a person," she says.
She continues: "I think I managed to capture the essence of the flowers without overworking them, love the looseness and textures!"
Multiple Sketchbooks
Artists usually have more than one sketchbook so I want to know how many sketchbooks Valerya uses at a time. And which are the goals for each of them?
"I currently have two main sketchbooks," Valerya says, then adds: "One is a tiny A6 book with thinner paper that I take everywhere. It is mainly for the people watching in the underground, at the cafe, or during art fairs. It also sometimes works for testing the materials."
Sketchbook Challenges
There are many sketchbook challenges going on on social media at the moment, so I’m curious to know if she took part in any of these.
"I have participated in a few of them over the years. But I think I have only finished one – the Inktober. I guess working with ink and B&W materials has its own limitations, and having those limitations helps overcome the fear of imperfection."
Skills Improved
I ask Valerya what skills she has improved the most by practicing consistently in her sketchbook?
"Line confidence and the ability to observe and capture shapes quickly are the biggest skills I’ve improved the most. The more I sketch, the less hesitant my strokes are. I’ve learned to trust my hand and commit to marks without overthinking."
Conclusion
Valerya Milovanova’s sketchbook routine is a unique and inspiring blend of traditional and digital media. Her use of watercolour, ink, charcoal, and gouache allows her to achieve unique textures and brushstrokes, which she then transfers to her digital illustrations. With a consistent routine and a willingness to experiment, Valerya has developed her skills and improved her line confidence and ability to observe and capture shapes quickly.
FAQs
Q: How do you stay consistent with your sketchbook practice?
A: I try to carry a small sketchbook with me everywhere and draw on the way home after meeting with friends, or while waiting for a coffee and a bun, or at the busy London pub where people won’t notice you are spying on them.
Q: What inspires your illustrations?
A: It could be something I saw on my walk, a picture I took, a film, or a book.
Q: How do you manage your time between illustration work and sketchbook practice?
A: Sometimes I just don’t have the energy to create after working on books, but I try to make time for my sketchbook practice when I can.
Q: What skills have you improved the most by practicing consistently in your sketchbook?
A: Line confidence and the ability to observe and capture shapes quickly are the biggest skills I’ve improved the most.
Q: Do you participate in sketchbook challenges?
A: I have participated in a few of them over the years, but I think I have only finished one – the Inktober.
