Let's face it, the world of children's bedrooms already has a plethora of Thomas the Tank Engines (yawn)... but how many kids have an image of their very own personalized train on their wall? Giving an inanimate object a face and personality is classic Disney and Pixar magic. And it's a sure way to help a child connect with and enjoy their special work of art. In this case it's 'Sam's Jungle express' (large canvas 20" by 30"), an adventure painting for big boy Sam to enjoy. Vibrant and tropical, I wanted it to be a big landscape vista with lots to look at, with references to all the cool things- like trains of course, idyllic Islands... and animals who surf.
Some original sketches below, as I was researching and thinking about what components to use to bring it together.. and detail of the painting:
