images

When I was first asked to Illustrate the book I approached it like any other job. The Gatehouse is a beautiful building and designed by one of my favourite architects, Charles Wilson. The idea of illustrating graves didn’t initially fill me with optimism, however on closer inspection they are diverse and varied in their own right. As there is a lot of detail etched on the stones I chose to pull out the important lettering and imagery. Keeping in mind the illustrations would be reduced for print the lesser details would get lost so this had to be kept in mind. Although the interior images are black and white I chose to use a watercolour wash on them to give them more body. These are weighed up by the use of the spot line illustrations dotted throughout the book. When tackling the front and back cover (the gatehouse from two different angles) it was decided to use colour for full effect.

Adrian B. McMurchie
(Illustrator)

The format of the book would not manage to encompass the whole of the building so some cropping would need to be done. The overall essence of the design is still very much captured however. In reflection, it was a thoroughly enjoyable as well as educational process from start to finish and with my initial doubts of the strength of the gravestone drawings I have found they stand up as attractive images on their own.

For more information on Adrian and other examples of his work visit...
www.ammcmurchie.com