Canned Doodle!

Rabisco Enlatado!

no_alberti_rocha · 2025-04-22T04:45:02+02:00

I love your work!!! Very creative! ❤️❤️❤️

by Jader de Melo @hanisted

(Automatically translated from Portuguese)

Introduction

I am a designer and illustrator and in my work as an illustrator, I have worked with illustrations on different media. Among them: kitchen boards, aquariums, sardine and tuna cans and even cream crackers! And canned goods are the ones that have awakened a certain passion in me. In this technique, I create illustrations with traditional materials such as watercolor, Indian ink, colored pencils, among others, and I adapt these illustrations to the format of the can, using it as a support, turning the illustration work into a decorative art.

I want to show in a simple and direct way through a piece of work, how I reuse these recyclable cans after they have been used in one of my improvised meals!

Supplies

What materials and tools do I use besides cans?

-- Drawing and painting materials --

The illustration or drawing that is placed inside the can can be made with different materials such as colored pencils, acrylics, watercolors, gouache, any other drawing material or simply a graphite pencil. The important thing is that the illustration or drawing is made on resistant paper so that when it is inserted into the can and handled, it does not suffer damage.

-- Frame --

I usually frame this work, so a box frame with glass is on the list.

-- Scanner, Adobe Photoshop and printer

For the illustration of the background on which the can is glued and this background is fitted into the frame, I usually create this illustration with a mixed technique of analog and digital processes using: pencil, Indian ink pen, acrylic paint, scanner, Adobe Photoshop software and a printer (for a better result I also usually print the images in a professional printing shop).

Step 1 - Creating the can illustration (Inspiration, sketch, "journey" through the materials and hands on!)

Usually when I illustrate canned goods, I usually draw a theme that matches the context of the can. But sometimes I just draw whatever comes to mind! 😁 Then I make some sketches and drafts (there are times when I draw straight away too!).

Then I measured the space for the illustration on the can, pulled up a chair and leaned over the work table. This is when I enter the "bubble state"! Concentration and fun! I grab whatever materials I can find, HB pencils, colored pencils, watercolors, acrylics... and I like to mix these materials most of the time. After finishing the illustration, I cut it out to the shape of the can.

Step 2 - Creating the background illustration (sketch, line drawing, scanning and "therapy session in Photoshop"

For the background illustration, as usual, I started with sketches and then reinforced the lines with Indian ink pens. At this stage, I really like to create textures, so I end up using paints and brushes to create the images that will make up the illustration. And for this work, I used acrylic paint. After creating the illustration lines and textures, I scanned everything and took it to Photoshop. There, I edit the images, removing noise and small unnecessary details. Remember that at this stage, I sometimes like to change the colors of the textures and sometimes I add some drawings and details to the lines. I work with a graphics tablet and Photoshop brushes.

Step 3 - Finishing and assembly (final artwork, printing and framing)

Once the background illustration was ready, I printed it and added some details with a white pen. And using the measurements of the bottom of the frame, I cut out a piece of sturdy paper from a gift box that was going to be thrown away and glued the printed illustration to it. After this process, I fitted the background illustration to the bottom of the frame and then glued the illustrated can.