How to do Digital Art? From rough outline to final drawing: 4 step process you need to follow
- The Curly Art Talks
- Aug 31, 2024
- 5 min read
From the traditional drawing technique to modern digital art, the creative environment has changed a lot. Everyone dream to try digital art at least once in their lifetime. However, the dilemma of whether digital art will suit you, and the cost of the tools will drag you backwards.
Some of them quite wonder about the digital art process and how it transforms out to the final out put.
But no worries, the drawing process in digital art may be broken down into four main steps, making it more approachable and understandable for beginners:
By breaking down the digital art process into these manageable steps, it becomes less daunting and more accessible. Let’s have a look!
Step 1: The Rough Sketch
The first step in creating any artwork, whether digital or traditional, is the preparation of a rough sketch. This step lays the foundation for your entire piece and is crucial for establishing the basic structure and composition of your subject.
Start by opening your digital art software and creating a new canvas. Once your canvas is set up, create a new layer specifically for your rough sketch. It’s good to name this layer “Rough Sketch” to keep your workflow organised and to easily distinguish it from other layers.
Next, choose your favourite brush from the brush library. Digital art programs offer a wide variety of brushes that can mimic traditional media like pencils, charcoal, or ink. Pick a brush that you feel comfortable with and that suits the style you want to achieve.
Begin Sketching the basic form and structure of your subject. Focus on capturing the overall shapes, proportions and layout without worrying too much about details. It’s all about getting your ideas down quickly and establishing the main elements of your composition. If needed, use reference images to help you guide your sketch. You can modify these references to fit your style and vision, making adjustments. The rough sketch phase is perfect for trial and error. So don’t hesitate to experiment and make changes during this process. You can redo parts of the sketch as many times as necessary until you are satisfied with the outcome. Remember, the rough sketch is not meant to be perfect. It should remain loose and flexible, allowing room for adjustments in later stages. This initial step serves as a guide for the next steps, providing a blueprint that you can refine and build upon.
By taking the time to create a solid rough sketch, you set yourself up for a smoother and more successful art-making process. This foundational step ensures that you have a clear direction and structure to follow, making it easier to add details and finalise your artwork in subsequent steps.
Step 2 : Final Outline
Once you have finished your rough sketch, proceed by creating a new layer on top of it. To maintain clarity and avoid confusion, reduce the opacity of the rough sketch layer. This will make it faint and less distracting, allowing you to focus on drawing your final, clean outline.
On the new layer, begin carefully tracing over the rough sketch, paying close attention to refining the details of your subject. This step is crucial for adding clarity and precision to your artwork. As you go through this proces, feel free to make any necessary adjustments or improvements to your subject. This could involve correcting proportions, enhancing features, or adding finer details that were not present in the initial sketch. The goal is to create a polished and accurate outline that serves as a solid foundation for the rest of your work.
Step 3: Apply Base Colours
Once your final outline is complete, the next step is to add colour to your artwork. To begin, create a new layer beneath the final outline layer. This will ensure that the outline remains visible on top of the colours you apply. Lower the opacity of the outline layer slightly. This will help the colours stand out while still allowing you to see the outline for guidance.
On the new layer, start by filling the base colours of your subject. It’s helpful to use multiple layers for different parts of your subject. For example, you might have separate layers for skin, hair, clothing and background elements. This approach makes it easier to adjust colours and shading later on without affecting other parts of your artwork.
As you lay down the foundational hues, think about the overall tone and mood you want to covey. The base colour will set the stage for the entire piece, so choose them carefully. For instance, warm colours like reds and yellows can create a sense of warmth and energy, while cool colours like blues and greens can evoke calmness and serenity.
This stage is about establishing the main colour scheme and ensuring that each part of your subject has a consistent and harmonious look.
Step 4: Adding Details
When the base colours are in place, you can start adding details. This is the final step, where you breathe life into your drawings by adding depth and dimension. Begin by focusing on the fine details that will elevate your work. Carefully highlight and shade different areas to create sense of volume and realism. Adding shadows is crucial; they give the subject weight. Pay attention to the direction of your light source, ensuring that shadows and highlights are consistent throughout the piece.
Incorporate textures and intricate nuances to enhance the visual interest of your artwork. These elements draw the viewer’s eye and keep them engaged, as they notice the subtle details and craftsmanship. Think about the surfaces and materials within your subject, and use various techniques to replicate them accurately, whether it’s the roughness of a tree bark, the smoothness of glass, or the softness of fabric.
Additionally, consider adding your logo or signature to your drawing. This not only serves as a personal touch but also helps to protect your work from art theft. Place it in a location that is visible but not intrusive, ensuring it complements the overall composition without detracting from the visual impact of your artwork.
By carefully adding these final details, you enhance the realism and depth of your drawing, making it more captivating and professional. This attention to detail is what sets your work apart and truly brings it to life.
Remember to always work on different layers because it is the greatest flexibility of digital art - easy undoing and revising. You can always make changes whenever you feel to do so without interrupting the rest of your art work. This can refine your work with precision and control.
You can check out the advantages of the digital art from my previous blog Traditional Vs Modern art.
You can also check the timelapse of the sketching the rough outline and refined final outline on my YouTube Channel - The Curly Art Talks. Do Subscribe!!!
Hope you find this article useful!
If you have any suggestions for improvements, topics I should discuss or anything important have been left out, just leave it in the comment section. Your feedback will always be precious and a stepping stone for further improvement.
Have a nice day!!! Love 🌷
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