Scottish wildcat project is coming to an end

This the email that I've been waiting for FINALLY! Got it nicely put on to a seperate postcard size file so hopefully they can be double printed tomorrow in the digital print room, then I will post some off to Steve and try and get feedback before the deadline.
After the deadline I will find a stall and sell the rest of the postcards.

Tutorial to turn colour image into black and white

This was for getting rid of the colour tones in the orginal scan before ajusting the layers

Right so I've been experementing with backgrounds but I've got a bit stuck. I really like how by using a watercolour wash for a background it has a nice texture once scanned in.
I drew the image of the owl and photocopied it (thanks Rob for the technique) then comprised a few ideas for backgrounds. I soon found out that by wetting the paper so much withthe water colours the paper began to crincle and so made it pretty impossible to scan correctly.
I then photocopied it onto thicker paper (the same paper I used for the previous illustration with a bit of background). I am really happy with the results however I have come to the same situation again, if not halfed crinkled it still wont scan properly.
I've tried ironing the paper and flattening it under heavy books to no avail.
Not quite sure what to do now...

I have tried using the work even though it is is tinted red because I am covering most of it with colour however the parts that I want white will not go lighter than how it is scanned..

Experementing with watercolour backgrounds. I think this is really simple and effective. When I scanned the original drawing in it left a redy yellow tint all over the page, I managed to get most off but I've left some around the blue as it give more interest to the background.

Practicing competition illustrations

Practicing the photoshop style. I think I have really improved and really like the upsidown owl. Need to start thinking about backgrounds and keep practicing.
I think I need to put more texture into the original drawings to prevent the big areas of block colour that are making the illustration kind of cartoonish.

POSTCARDS

This is the first final image for the series of postcards for the SWA. I am really happy with this, especially how I have progressed with the photoshop.

 I dont think this illustration is quite as strong as the first, however I think the use of watercolour, pencil and computer works.

 This was my original idea for the last postcard. However I decided that the background was pulling the piece down, it was blending in too well with the colours on the cat. So I decided to get rid of the background and put my effort into the cat and the logs.

 This is the final 3rd postcard.



Now that the images have been finished I have sent an email to Steve at the Scottish Wildcat Association asking if he would like any particular literature on the back of the postcards or if I should find what I think is suitable from the website.
I am still waiting for a reply.

Primary research - owls

First off here are the photos I took in Chester Zoo: