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When I first started doing illustration,  I worked on canvas board.  I would draw directly on the pre-gesso board in pencil.  I would then use a sharpie to outline .

For coloring, I used water color markers and would blend and spread using q-tips and cotton balls.  The gesso kept the color from being absorbed into the board and would allow me to blend with the Q-tip.  I discovered this technique quite by accident.  The problem with this technique is even after spraying the finished illustration with fixative,  it would fade over a short time,  especially when exposed to light.

This image was done with water color markers on pre gesso canvas board

I did manage to save a lot of them by photographing them and then scanning the image into the computer.

I have since abandoned this technique and now color entirely in the computer using PhotoShop,  although I still draw by hand.

The images below will show the process step by step.

First the drawing or sketch

This sketch was for an article on procrastination for the Times Herald  Record.  It's also the story of the ant and the grasshopper by Aesop. 

My illustrations are composites.  I first created the background

I then created the ant

Then the Grasshopper

And then put them all together

Another Example

 the Pillow Prince

                                                          Sketch                                         Color