Zombies have been a staple of science fiction and horror films for many decades. In recent years, the TV show “The Walking Dead” has returned the interest of viewers to these creatures. Despite the fact that in “The Walking Dead” zombies are very unpleasant in appearance, in this lesson we will draw a pretty sweet and handsome dead man.
Below you can watch a video with the process of creating this illustration.
For the lesson we need a few textures.
- Texture 1
- Texture 2
- Texture 3
1. Preparation
Step 1
Create a new file File – New (File – New) (Command / Ctrl + N). Set the document parameters as shown below.
Step 2
We will mainly draw with a standard round brush, which will allow us to use all the advantages of working on the tablet.
Open a window with brush options Window – Brush (Window – Brush) (F5).
1 – In Settings Brush tip shape (Brush print form) you can choose the brush shape, change its size, stiffness or spacing (we leave this parameter at zero).
2 – In the settings Shape dynamics (Dynamics of the form) set the Control (Control) to Pen Pressure (Brush pressure).
3 – In the settings Transfer (Transfer) set Control (Control) to Pen Pressure (Brush Pressure) to be able to control brush pressure while drawing.
4 – In addition, we can experiment with the opacity of the brush to get the strokes we need or create a smooth color transition.
2. Create a sketch
Step 1
For the sketch, create a new layer (Shift + Command / Ctrl + N)) and begin to draw the basic shape of the character to determine the pose.
Step 2
Reduce the opacity of the layer, create a new one and draw a more accurate and detailed sketch.
Step 3
Reduce the brush opacity and set the mode to Transfer (Broadcast). Determine the source of light and begin to draw the shadows. In this case, the light falls from behind from above.
Step 4
Below we add a new layer and create a quick sketch of gravestones for the background.
Step 5
Go back to the “Background” layer and using Paint bucket tool
(Fill) (G) fill it with a dark blue color.
Step 6
Create a new layer and fill it with radial light blue. gradient 
(G) from the center. Then click Command / Ctrl + T to adjust the size. During the transformation, hold down the Shift key to keep the proportions.
3. Draw a zombie
Step 1
We start to fill the character with color. Having finished, we add a new layer above and we clean up a little more work.
Step 2
Gradually we begin to add shadows and smooth color transitions. To do this, use a soft brush with a low level of opacity, the pressure is adjustable for each area separately.
I do not recommend using black for shadows. A more suitable choice would be blue, gray or dark blue.
Step 3
Now we can add more details. As in the previous case, do not use pure white color, it is better to replace it with blue.
While drawing, use as many layers as you need for comfortable work. Not everyone can draw on one layer.
Step 4
In dark blue, draw the shadows as shown below, then reduce the opacity of the layer.
Step 5
Add more details on the clothes and body of the zombies, such as spots, wrinkles or smudges.
Step 6
To create a similar shadow, repeat what we did in step 4. Use the dark blue color and low opacity of the layer, as shown below.
Step 7
To correct the shadow, open Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) (Command / Ctrl + U) and set the parameters as shown below.
Step 8
Eraser 
(E) smooth the edges of the shadow. To keep the layers panel in order, create a group into which we place all the layers with the zombies. Then create another group for the background.
4. Draw a background
Step 1
We will work on the background in three stages, from dark to light. On a new layer in dark blue we draw a strip of earth. Big soft eraser (E) erasing the bottom.
Step 2
Repeat the previous step twice.
Step 3
On the new layer draw a small coffin and place it under the previous layer. Hit Command / Ctrl + T to rotate it.
Step 4
Duplicate the gravestone layer (Command / Ctrl + J) and double-click on the duplicate to apply the layer styles. In the window that opens, select Color overlay (Overlay color) and set the color of the slab to the color of the middle layer with the ground. Hit Command / Ctrl + T to place the headstone in the right place. Repeat the process and add more gravestones.
Step 5
Remove lines with eraser (E)
Step 6
To create a zombie shadow, draw a dark blue spot and blur it with eraser (E)
Step 7
On the new layer, fill the background with a radial gradient from black to transparent. Place this layer under the “background” group.
Step 8
Reduce the opacity of the “background” group and the gradient layer, as shown below.
5. Final touches
Step 1
Above all the layers, add a new one and draw a zombie scarf.
Step 2
Hold down the Command / Ctrl key and click on the layer thumbnail to load its selection. After that click Command / Ctrl + H to hide the selection. It is still active, we just do not see it and nothing prevents us from drawing.
Step 3
Then, on a new layer, we begin to draw the shadows on the scarf.
Step 4
Eraser(E) adjusting the shadows a little. Add another layer and continue to draw the shadows in a darker color to form a volume.
Step 5
Press Shift + Command / Ctrl + I to invert the selection. Add a new layer with a low opacity under a layer with a scarf and draw new shadows.
Step 6
Next to the hand, make the shadows more saturated.
Step 7
Press Shift + Command / Ctrl + I to invert the selection again. On the new layer we darken the lower part.
Step 8
Reduce the opacity of the layer as shown below.
Step 9
Slightly erase the bottom edge of the scarf, as shown below, and hide the “background” group.
Step 10
Extract layers from the group with shadow and gradient. Above we add a new layer. White color paint glare, saliva.
Step 11
Use black to add depth and shade some elements.
Step 12
Duplicate the blue gradient layer, press Command / Ctrl + T and increase the size of the copy.
Step 13
Tough brush 
without pressure (pressure) draw an eyeball.
Step 14
Above the eye, add a new layer and press Command / Ctrl + Alt + G to convert it to clipping mask. Then we paint highlights and shadows on it.
Step 15
Add another layer in blend mode. Multiply (Multiplication) and dark blue draw a more saturated shadow.
Step 16
On separate layers we draw the iris and pupil.
Step 17
Change the layer blending mode with the iris to Overlay (Overlap).
Step 18
Add a glare on the iris, then duplicate the group with the eye and place a copy on the other side of the working canvas (Command / Ctrl + T).
Step 19
Select the layers with iris, pupil and flare and move them a little lower.
Step 20
Draw shadows under the eyes and blur them with an eraser.
Step 21
Merge groups with eyes in separate layers. To do this, select the group and click Command / Ctrl + E. To select both eyes, click on the thumbnails of the layers with the Shift + Command / Ctrl keys pressed. Then add a new layer with low opacity and draw the shadows.
Step 22
Go to the layer with a dark spot on the background and a large soft eraser (E) gently erase the edges. Do not use pressure sensitivity here.
Step 23
Now add a new layer to the group with zombies and draw more details, for example, on shoes.
6. We finish the background
Step 1
Duplicate the “background” group, make a copy visible and reduce it.
Step 2
We merge the group, slightly reduce the opacity of the layer and slightly erase the edges.
Step 3
Create a new layer. Using a large round brush paint the moon in the background.
Step 4
Move the gravestones below and slightly stretch the sides.
Step 5
Duplicate the tombstone layer and place it under the first one. Invert the colors of the copy using the Command / Ctrl + I key combination and move it a few pixels higher.
Step 6
Load the selection of the first layer with tombstones. Activate the second layer with tombstones and erase eraser (E)
Step 7
Change the blending mode of the second layer to Screen (Lightening).
Step 8
Lightly erase gravestones on the sides, as shown below.
7. Add textures
Step 1
Place the first texture layer on the working canvas and adjust its size (Commans / Ctrl + T).
Step 2
We use Magic wand tool
(Magic Wand) (W) to highlight the black area. Then click Command / Ctrl + I to invert the selection.
Step 3
Erase the light part of the texture, change the blend mode to Multiply (Multiplication) and reduce the opacity to 69%.
Step 4
Paste the following texture onto the document and transform it as shown below.
Step 5
This layer is placed above all. Change its blend mode to Overlay (Overlap) and reduce the opacity to 21%.
Step 6
Hit Command / Ctrl + I to invert the colors of the texture and flip it vertically Edit –Transform – Flip Vertical (Editing – Transformation – Flip Vertically).
Step 7
Paste the third texture, which add a little dirt and scuffs to our illustration. If necessary, adjust the size of the texture.
Step 8
Change layer blend mode to Multiply (Multiplication) and reduce the opacity to 42%.
Step 9
Big soft eraser (E) with low opacity we erase the texture in the head and body.
Step 10
We draw more shadows on zombies, as we did in the previous steps.
Step 11
Smooth the edges of the shadows with eraser (E)
8. Add colors
Step 1
Create a new layer in mode. Color (Chroma) with low opacity. Light green paint over face, arms and legs.
Step 2
On a new layer with blend mode Color (Chromaticity) pale red paint over a jersey and a scarf.
Step 3
For the moon, create a layer in the mode Soft light (Soft light) with low opacity and paint it with a light yellow color.
Step 4
On a new layer in mode Multiply (Multiply) we paint the scarf in dark red as shown below, then blur the edges. Also add a couple of blood stains on clothes.
Step 5
Create a layer in mode Color (Chroma) and fill it with a yellow radial gradient from the bottom corner to the center.
Step 6
Duplicate the gradient layer and reflect it horizontally. Then apply Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) (Command / Ctrl + U) to change the tint.
Step 7
Stretch the gradient up.
Step 8
On a layer with low opacity, paint over black at the base of the shoe, eyes and scarf.
Step 9
If you see fit, change the opacity of the colored layers (in this case, you need to increase the opacity of the gradients) and stains on clothes.
