So, this is my favorite picture of my Mom and Dad.  It was taken in the early 70′s when they were young – I love it because they look like they’re so in love.  Also, they look super wicked cool – like, if they were transported Star-Trek styles to the present day, they would be the coolest couple on Queen Street.

Anyways, so since I decided to try and make presents for Christmas this year, I thought I would try and draw this picture for my parents as a gift.  I know.  Sounds cheesy, like, I’m 5 years old and I’m drawing my parents a picture of a rainbow with mismatched crayons.  But seriously, I think it turned out pretty good.  Here’s how it went:

Step One:
Draw a grid over a print-out of the enlarged picture:

Step Two:
Draw a larger grid to scale on a piece of pressed illustration paper:

Step Three:
Watch “Elf” to put you in the Christmassy mood:

Step Four:
Draw the picture using the grid to help you get things right:

Gettin’ there:

My mother’s frigging plaid shirt was a bitch to draw:

But I got through it!  Here is the final product.  It’s not PERFECT, and my mother mentioned that she thinks she looks a bit older in the illustration than she does in the picture… but still: