The Old Red Mill in Jericho, Vermont, is a 19th-century historic landmark that dates back to 1856. Originally a grist mill, it was used for grinding grain into flour and other products for the local community. The mill is a striking red building, nestled along the banks of the Browns River.  It has become a beloved local icon due to its scenic beauty and historical significance. Today, the Jericho Historical Society preserves its historical charm and uses the building as a community center.

Creating An Illustration Of The Old Red Mill

When I was looking through photographs to find inspiration for a new graphic illustration, I stumbled upon photos of the Old Red Mill. I always admired this iconic building as it had so much history and character to it’s architecture. The scenic rustic color of this mill and the beauty of the Browns River water flowing beside it . . . is a sight well worth the stop. As a testament to the mill’s past, it’s tall stature and stone textures are meticulously preserved to capture a piece of Vermont’s history. Even when I’ve had the chance to stand before the mill, it has transcended me with the feeling of time-gone by.

When I first saw these images, I knew creating this illustration would be challenging. Just the rock structures and the flow of running water alone require careful execution to mimics mother nature’s realism. But I was up for a challenge.

I decided to move forward and carefully consider how I’d achieve different tones and colors to enhance each element. The challenge did not stop there. Creating the texture of the leaves and the shadows in the brush had to balance the depth and contrast found in a traditional photograph. This illustration took more time and hours than I envisioned. The investment seemed to be slow at first, but came together as I worked through achieving the illustration I desired. Getting the right rock tones and movement in the water were essential to making the entire illustration work.

The ray of light and shimming stars adds to this graphic, representing hope and light that radiates beyond our horizons.

As with every illustration, the enjoyment of creating the Old Red Mill came with some learning curves. This allowed me to further develop my skills and learn from my mistakes. While this may have taken me longer to complete, my hope is the techniques I learned will reduce similar challenges next time. Overall, the illustration gives this historic building a new perspective, and one that others can enjoy as well.