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I was asked to create an illustration for an editorial feature story about abortion in Africa. It deals with the social pressure in connection with cultural principles and the emptiness as well as lack of support.

I focused on the “emptiness” which most women experience after an abortion. I sketched out various version with pencil before I began to ink two version which I think had potential. I drew the original drawings directly in my A3 Moleskin sketchbook which I regret cause I had to tear them out in order to scan them properly. In my opinion a sketchbook is a sketchbook and I think it shouldn’t contain any finished pieces.

The two ink illustrations which were presented to the editorial and design team

The illustration on the left was chosen by the team and I worked on the illustration digitally, preparing it for the layout. I decided to involve the layout and columns of the page to enhance the meaning of the illustration. I removed parts of the copy by creating a circular tex-wrap around the woman’s belly where the missing part is.

Finished illustration placed inside the newspaper layout

I always think an illustration works best when it becomes part of the page layout rather than being a box slapped beside the columns. This way the illustration becomes part of the story, becomes part of the page.

I eventually got my hands on a copy of the newspaper delivered back to Berlin all the way from Kenya. Interesting to see how my illustration looks in the newspapers in Africa as the printing quality seems to differ quite a lot. Still happy with the outcome.

Illustration in the Standard newspaper in Kenya, Nairobi