Final result
Human anatomy can be quite frightening. However, the fear is easy to conquer if you study different parts of the body through small lessons of digital painting.
In this quick tutorial, we will learn how to draw a realistic ear using Adobe Photoshop and a graphics tablet.
1. Making a sketch
Step 1
First of all, be sure to find the source with a clear image of the ear. I use this photo on the Envato Market. I want to draw the ear in the opposite direction and for this I turn the photo through the menu Editing> Transform> Flip Horizontal (Edit> Transform> Flip Horizontal).
Step 2
Now use Hard Round Brush (Hard Round Brush) to create a sketch.
Break the ear into simpler forms and try to make as clean as possible a sketch with all the correct details.
Break the ear into “C” -shaped shapes to understand the anatomy.
This is the final sketch.
2. Draw the primary colors
On a separate layer, use the natural tan color and Hard Round Brush (Hard Round Brush) with 100% Stiffness (Hardness).
Now let’s get rid of the rough black contour. Change first Blend mode (Layer Blend Mode) layer with a sketch on Soft light (Soft Light) and then install it as Clipping mask (Clipping Mask).
3. Draw shadows
Step 1
In order not to pick colors manually, just create New layer (New Layer) and set its blending mode to Multiplication (Multiply). With help Pipette (Eyedropper Tool) select the color with which your ear has already been painted. So he will become new Main color (Foreground Color).
Start drawing shadows inside and outside the ear with Soft round brush (Soft Round Brush). Due to the fact that the original color multiplies, it appears darker and creates the perfect shadow.
Step 2
Draw deeper shadows by selecting Pipette (Eyedropper Tool) that dark color which turned out on the first layer with a shadow.
4. Draw realistic skin color.
I get very upset when the colors are wrong. Please note that the colors in the source look completely different.
This problem is easy to solve if you create a new layer with the blend mode. Overlap (Overlay), and then use the same natural color for a warmer pattern.
So much better!
5. Draw glare
The quickest way to add realism to any work is to paint highlights. Like last time, create New layer (New Layer) with mode Overlap (Overlay). Now, however, select a white color and paint soft highlights over the entire surface of the ear.
Carefully study the source and pay attention to changes in bone structure and general lighting. Each protruding area must be given a sufficient amount of glare.
Make sure that the drawing correctly conveys the position of the light source, which is in the upper left corner..
6. Create a realistic texture.
The process of drawing a realistic skin texture is very simple. From the panel Brush sets (Brush Presets) select brush a piece of chalk (Chalk Brush). If you like to experiment, I recommend to choose something from this grunge set.
Draw a dark tan over the entire surface of the ear. Soften sharp areas with Eraser (Eraser Tool).
Create New layer (New Layer) with mode Overlap (Overlay) and draw a warm texture over zones that look redder due to blood circulation.
Now create a third layer and use a white brush. This will help draw the pores.
7. Clean up the drawing
Step 1
As we come to the final stage, we need a color for the background. Select the background layer, right click on it and go to Overlay options (Blending Options). Create Gradient overlay (Gradient Overlay) from dark gray to light gray with the following settings:
- Blend mode (Blend Mode): Normal (Normal)
- Style(Style): Radial (Radial)
- Opacity (Opacity): 100%
- Angle(Angle): 90 °
- Scale(Scale): 100%
It looks like a new background for our picture.
Step 2
Continue to improve the design, mixing skin tones Soft round brush (Soft Round Brush). Then use Hard Round Brush (Hard Round Brush) with 100% Stiffness (Hardness) and 100% Opacity (Opacity) and make sure your edges are perfect.
Do not be afraid to correct the anatomy by erasing parts of the ear. To give a feeling of volume, draw a soft gray shadow under it.
Make sure the new shadow matches the light source.
If the texture seems too rough, soften the skin using Soft round brush (Soft Round Brush).
For even more realism, draw small hairs that are visible in the original photo. Try to create them with tiny white strokes, showing that this ear can be real! When you’re done, the final result should look something like this.
You see, it’s not so bad!
Now you!
Such small exercises help to significantly improve the skills of digital painting. Considering such lessons as a challenge to your strength, you will take another step towards real realism.
Have fun working on this exercise and apply the same techniques to other parts of the human body. If you want to learn more about digital painting, see below:
- Correct the anatomy in the picture in Photoshop
- We draw a realistic skin texture in Photoshop
- We draw portraits with incredible realism in Photoshop
