In this tutorial, I will show you how to paint a 2D illustration using standard Photoshop brushes.
Step 1: Work began with the creation of several sketches in which I tried to display the main idea as much as possible. Below, you see one of my sketches on which I decided to draw a rabbit, using shades of orange and blue as primary colors. After some trial and error, I decided, as it seemed to me, with the final version.
Step 2: As a rule, I try to devote all my free time to drawing, just for the fun of it. I like to draw cute and cute characters and children’s toys.
Step 3: My idea was that I wanted to draw a fluffy rabbit with a basket of flowers. At first I made a simple drawing of the character in basic colors, then experimented with the background and searching for suitable color combinations. The basic outline is very important, since you will already have a basic idea and you can make minor changes without serious consequences throughout the work. I tell you the truth, I started working with this picture 3 months ago. Unfortunately, I could not find the time to complete it. Below you see a half finished work. So far, it does not look very.
Step 4: So, having decided on the sketch, we begin the main work with the creation of a new document with a size of approximately 997×897 pixels with a resolution of 72 pixels / inch.
At first, I started working with the background. You will ask why? Because I do not like to work on a flat and boring background. It also helps to focus more on the main character and create the necessary mood for the whole picture.
Then I created a new layer and started drawing a bunny sketch. At first I applied the main lines with a large, hard brush, then with a small brush I began to add details. I also created a new coat for wool. After trying a little drawing on it, left alone to return to it later.
Step 5: Detail the face and body using a small hard brush, and then a soft brush to add smoother transitions and soft lines to the image. I also worked a little on the flowers and the basket, added a few new shades. At this stage, I made my eyes black, but it seems to me that the brown color of the eyes of the rabbit is best suited.
Step 6: As you already understood, I decided to make changes to my main sketch and draw a new one. Then I turned to the imposition of color. I started with the body and the head, then I left the body alone and continued working with the head, adding more detail.
Step 7: Next, I moved to the background. After that, I began to draw wool toys. Then he spent some time on the flowers in the basket, added more texture to make them more interesting.
Step 8: I continued to work on wool, trying to make it soft and airy. After that, I started to detail it with a small hard brush with adjusted parameters. Shape dynamics (Dynamics of form), drawing individual hairs. I decided that the background is too light, it upsets the mood of the whole composition, so I duplicated the background and changed the duplicate blend mode to Overlay (Overlap).
Step 9: I painted my eyes in brown on a separate layer, which I changed the blending mode to Overlay (Overlap), then added highlights. Having finished with the main part of the work, I saved the psd file, then opened the saved file in Photoshop and continued to work with it.
I did this on purpose, so that if necessary to change something, I could go back and rework the work without serious consequences. I want to slightly change the shape of the eyes so that they are more alive.
Continuing to experiment with colors, I added a dark blue tint to the background. I also slightly corrected the body color (to make it look more realistic).
Step 10: Now it’s time to focus on the details – the ribbon and the flower brooch. On a separate layer, I drew a ribbon in a rich orange color, changed the blending mode for the layer to Overlay(overlap).
As you noticed, I began to create this illustration using a few sketches that are not at all like the final result.
Step 11: I reflected the rabbit horizontally. This is an old trick, thanks to which you can see your mistakes.
Step 12: Continue detailing. I used a hard brush to add as much detail as possible to the background, using dark and light shades of blue. I started experimenting with different colors. At first, I chose blue, but then I decided to add more yellow. It all depends on your style and preferences.
The proportions of the rabbit are determined, the color scheme is selected. Now nothing prevents me from doing more detailed detailing of my drawing.
Step 13: I want to add a smiling flower in the upper right part of the image to add a joyful mood to the picture. The shape of the flower is not so important, as long as the flower is funny and resembles the sun.
Step 14: At first I wanted to add the sun, but then I realized that I could not draw these two elements in one place. That is why I decided to combine them.
I also want to draw your attention to the fact that each element must be on a separate layer. So it will be easier to make changes if necessary.
Step 15: In this step I will detail the surface on which the rabbit sits, and draw some bright little flowers. They should be yellow like the sun. I spent 5 minutes creating them. These little flowers should look like they are flying from the sun and falling to the ground. And the farther they move away from the sun, the more they lose their color.
Step 16: Next, I made a small color correction for each element of the composition using Image – Adjustments – Hue / Saturation (Image – Correction – Hue / Saturation), adding warm hues and brightness.
Conclusion
Then I duplicated (CTRL + J) the image and slightly corrected the color using Image – Adjustments – Brightness / Contrast (Image – Correction – Brightness / Contrast). Everything! Now you can close Photoshop. I hope you enjoyed my lesson.
Author: Hatice Bayramoglu
