Behind the scenes: Illustrating the firefighter
Ever wonder how a character goes from a simple sketch to a vibrant hero? Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on a character design for Moonbeam Learning Studio’s upcoming book, “When I grow up, what will I be?”
We’ve condensed 63 minutes of painting into just 79 seconds of fun! Watch as our firefighter character comes to life in this high-speed journey.
The Artist’s Toolkit 🖌️
To capture the texture of the uniform and the glow of the flames, I used a dynamic mix of media:
- Watercolor Brush Pens for those fluid, vibrant base layers
- Fineliner Pens to define the brave details
- Watercolor Pencils for soft shading and depth
- Acrylic Brush Pens for the “in between” layers
More Than Just a Career 💛
This book is close to our hearts because it weaves in essential social-emotional learning concepts. It’s designed to remind every child that while dreaming big is wonderful, they are already “enough” exactly as they are…regardless of the uniform they eventually wear.
Whether you’re a fellow artist, a teacher, or a parent seeking heart-centered stories, we hope this glimpse into the illustration process sparks a little inspiration in your day (and shows that anyone can paint)!
📖 Learn more about the book: www.moonbeamlearningstudio.com/children’s-books/what-will-i-be
✨ Pre-order signed copies on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonbeamLearning
🚀 See the Final Reveal! 🚀
Here’s an exclusive first look at the finished firefighter! Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes!
Blog post, illustrations, photos, and videos by Laura Teichen. © 2026 Moonbeam Learning Studio LLC. All rights reserved. The music featured in the illustration video of the Firefighter is “I love my mom” by Reed Mathis.