Each element has to be illustrated. Here is a step by step of one of the simpler elements. The cactus which appears in the top right corner.

First a drawing is scanned and outlined with the path tool. This path is used as a mask within which I rough in the colours and then build up the shadows and highlights. With the mask still active and on another layer, I start on the finer details of the cactus needles and flower stems.

Elements which are not in the centre of the illustration are painted without extreme realistic detail. They are given a soft focus feelso that they cannot distract from the centre of the image.

Step 3

Step 1

Step 2

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Final stage