The idea of the ELOphant started at a workshop at the UAL (University of the Arts London) with the fantastic Zehra Hicks.
She did an exercise with us, where we should choose a little plastic toy animal and draw it out of different perspectives and with different time restrictions. Further we should stylize the character and give it something to interact with. My first attempts where a little bit sarcastic and dark as you can see on the first picture on the left. I guess not very well suited for a children's book. So I played around with an alternate end and brought in some more interesting perspectives. I continued my ideas in procreate and build a storyboard. I really liked the "comicystyle" but wanted to experiment a bit more with ELO and texure.
Storyboard
In the UAL course, we did some experimenting with linoprinting techniques, where I was able to create some of the shapes I needed. I cut them, played aroung with them and finally decided for one shape of each bodypart of ELO (body, ears, nails).
In the final piece I didn't use the umbrella shape as wanted to have some contrast between ELO and the umbrella. I cleaned the shape in Photoshop and brought it into procreate to build the pages. I wanted to have a mix of handmade textures and digital drawing.
When in 2025 I finally managed to find the courage to show up at the regular's table of the Munich Illustrators, I came to the right time. They were just started planning their first illustration exhibition. They were kind enough to let me take part in it, eventhough I had not much to show. So the pressure was on. As I already had a storyboard of the ELO idea, but not had taken it further I decided it could be a good starting point for the illustration exhibition but also good for myself to have the pressure on finishing it.
Each illustrator had one square meter of wall to hang their art on to. My idea was to finish the book and show different stages of the book making process from the rough ideas through storyboard, final drawings and print.
If you are interested on buying one of the little booklets, you can find them in my shop.
If you are interested on buying one of the little booklets, you can find them in my shop.
Unfortunately I had no better photo of the hanging display. These days are always so exciting and busy that I forgot to take more pictures.
The top right frame was meant to be all glass with no backboard, as I wanted the cover to somehow float. I had specifically bought extra Plexiglas. It wasn't until the day itself that I realized my idea wouldn't work—because the Plexiglas, naturally, doesn't have an eyelet for a hook like a backboard does. Well, I suppose that's part of it, too. You plan something down to the last detail, and yet it still doesn't work. I guess this also is a life lesson.
