Behind the Canvas
From Idea to Illustration
"Every painting began long before the first brushstroke."
Before a novel ever reached bookstore shelves, Elaine Gignilliat immersed herself in another world. She thoroughly read each manuscript, researched historical periods, assembled costumes and props, photographed live models, sketched compositions, and spent weeks transforming reference materials into an original oil painting.
Follow the journey below to see how a single illustration came to life.
01 — Research
Authenticity mattered to Elaine. Before beginning a painting, she read every manuscript and researched the period in meticulous detail, selecting historically appropriate settings, architecture, and details.
02 — Costumes
Elaine hand-picked every costume, selecting historically appropriate clothing, fabrics, jewelry, and accessories. Every costume helped her imagine the world her characters inhabited.
03 — Working with Models
Elaine worked with models from major New York modeling agencies, carefully selecting the best women and men to portray each book's central characters.
04 — The Shoot
Elaine was one of very few artists who directed every shoot in person. She experimented with posture, lighting, and facial expression until she found the precise emotional moment she wanted to capture.
05 — Bringing the Painting to Life
Working in oil, Elaine built the painting gradually, refining every detail — from fabric and anatomy to architecture and atmosphere. Layers of transparent color gave the finished work its luminous quality.
06 — Delivering the Work
Elaine delivered every painting in person to the publishing house art director. This step was largely perfunctory — she was the only illustrator who refused to make any changes to her finished paintings.
07 — Into Readers' Hands
The completed painting was photographed, combined with typography, and reproduced as a paperback cover. Millions encountered Elaine's work this way — often without realizing it began as a carefully crafted original oil painting.
See the Paintings
Every painting in the exhibition began with this process. Explore the works and discover the stories behind them.