Sometimes it takes me a while to settle on a design. Color roughs are a good way to test the waters if color options before getting too far into the work.
These roughs also test out different type options I was considering.
Here is a .gif animation that shows the process of my recent illustration for the band, Teenagers (see above). The animation goes from a sketch done on notebook paper (complete with a note written on the side by an unknown person, while I stepped out for a drink), to the "finished" product. I'm just giving away all of my secrets.