
Hello fellow artists,
I’d like to share my technique for creating a hand-colored drawing of a character for a client. I like to rough out the image with several first sketches. I prefer a soft lead pencil because of the fluidity in the line. I begin with my envisioned idea, then use basic shapes to rough out the proportions on the paper.
Many artists get themselves discouraged by starting in on the detail too soon. Try to enjoy the process, after all that’s why you make art isn’t it?
I use a light table to redraw the image several times until I have brought it up to a point where I’m ready to ink it in. I like using very fine lines at first, then redraw with heavier lines to emphasize the forms.
After that I’m ready to lay a soft wash of a medium tone over the areas that are shadowed. Now the form is much more apparent.
Last I blend my color palatte and begin a soft semi transparent to opaque layer of color on the image, using a very fine brush. Your original art can be drawn slightly enlarged, then reproduced to fit your format.
More information about how to draw a character (including larger pictures) is on my site… click to see How I Do It. There you will find four easy-to-follow steps to drawing and painting your own images.
I do hope you have picked up a tip or two that will help you.
Thank you,
Elizabeth
AUG
About the Author:
Hello, I'm Elizabeth Berg, illustrator, artist, and art teacher. I make custom illustrations --and use several different art styles-- to make your project stand out. I also teach fine art classes for adults and children.