This project was made for a indie author's first book: she had a short story about bears going to sleep, and contract me to illustrate it.
I investigated a little bit of bears and ways to draw them, also took inspiration of tree houses for their home, and made my sketches. I had two interpretations: one with more realistic traits in their faces, and other more cartoony. We end up choosing the "more real" one.
Although later on I had to do some changes, such a the little bear, who was a girl. I didn't want to go for stereotypical "girly" things (as a skirt or bow), so I changed the body proportions and shapes.
Other change were the eyes. I love dots eyes (I think they're really cute) but the author wanted more human and expressive eyes.
My interpretation of the text was very straight forward (showing what was narrated in a cute way) and my client was pretty happy with it.