I begin each page in my sketchbook, where I take notes on my research and begin sketching out the look I'm going for. The goal is to become familiar with the anatomy of the monster and to create a look that gives clues as to the scientific / evolutionary rationalization for their existence. My guiding principle in designing each cryptid is to steer legends based on magic and myth into the realm of science and logic. This step is the most exciting and also the most intimidating, as each beginning requires me to learn to draw a new set of anatomy and come up with a unique approach to what are often very well-known legends.
These drawings are very rough, as I almost never erase a sketch if I don't like how it turned out. I feel it's more important to see what DOES work along side what DOESN'T to arrive at a more refined final product. It's a bad habit, but I often move on from this step before it's finished, which just creates headaches as I work on the final draft without a solid foundation for the pose and anatomy of the creature.
