First step is where the card concept begins as a twinkle in my eye. :) I think up the scenario, and write a corresponding card description.
Description: "This high-quality grain and hay provide the much-needed fuel to keep your horse healthy and full of energy!"The next step involves the illustration artist (in this case Bronwyn). I provide her with the write-up and usually no more. I don't like to influence the artist too early by mentioning any ideas I had in mind. Usually the illustrator comes up with a far better idea anyway!
The illustrator will then draft up a couple of rough sketches from which I'll choose one and provide input/feedback. Sometimes the rough sketch will be green-lit right away, sometimes we'll do a couple iterations and explore the theme a bit more.


Once the concept is fully flushed out, I'll give the go-ahead for the artist to clean up the linework and make the image look polished. Here's what it looks like cleaned up:


And here's the final image for the card "Five Star Dining!"

~Kay