I take advantage of Procreate to remodel previous sketches, and on this Procreate tutorial I’ll share how one can too. I’m fairly certain we will all relate to the notorious, ‘unfinished’ folder that’s buried deep down in your laptop. Sure, that digital abyss crammed with sketches, half-baked illustrations and concepts that we didn’t end for one purpose or one other. For me, the folder is not an art work grave, however moderately a limbo for potential illustrations.
Occasionally, after I’m not in the most effective of moods, or it is a type of gloomy afternoons after I’m simply feeling lazy, I spend time looking via these information. I search for some older concepts that I nonetheless like, after which recycle them into one thing new – and Procreate is a superb app for doing this work. (You may want an iPad to make use of Procreate because it’s unique to Apple, learn information to the most effective iPad for drawing to see which is finest for you.) A number of the recommendation under is common, so if you happen to’re utilizing among the best drawing tablets and Photoshop it will nonetheless be helpful.
On this workshop, I am going to present you ways I’ve resurrected an older sketch that I’ve all the time preferred – some type of barbaric warrior – from the unique sketch to a completed piece. We’ll even do some ‘Frankensteining’: including fragments from different older items into this one. You’ll be able to scroll to the underside of the web page to see the full-size completed illustration, or learn on for the step-by-step of the way it got here collectively.
Rafa is an internationally printed illustrator, with purchasers together with Common Footage, Wizards of the Coast and Riot Video games. With work that inhabits the area between the baroque and the city, fantasy and sci-fi, he creates storytelling-driven work for purchasers from all around the world.
Use Procreate to remodel previous sketches: video tutorial
Procreate tutorial: my brushes
Customized brushes: the Sketchy Sarmento
This brush was created particularly for me by Max Ulichney, to emulate the Staedtler 8B – my favorite pencil. It’s the fundamental brush I take advantage of for all the pieces I’ve painted on this workshop.
Procreate tutorial: use Procreate to remodel previous sketches
01. Digging via the grave
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
All of it begins with the previous concept. On this case, when trying via my information, I discovered this sketch that for some purpose I by no means labored up into an illustration. I actually prefer it: there is a pure, uncooked power that I’ve usually discovered happens when doodling. The liberty of scribbling can yield vigorous outcomes, however now’s the time to show that promise right into a completed portray.
02. Including a base color
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
As I often do throughout my working course of, I begin by sketching some thumbnails and creating the thought. I then select my favorite composition to refine additional. Because the sketch already exists I proceed so as to add some early colors, which I am going to use to begin ‘sculpting’ the illustration. The Colour Fill software in Procreate is ideal for these fast iterations, earlier than transferring on to the portray stage.
03. Working up the story design
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
Earlier than I transfer on with the portray itself, I am going to begin establishing some traits of the character’s design. That is when one in every of my very favorite facets of the artistic course of begins to happen: organising a storytelling background for the character. It will assist me to outline the design choices I am going to make, and align all the pieces right into a concise idea.
I resolve that he is a retro-futuristic, technologically enhanced knight. This instantly conjures up me, and aligns all the pieces right into a concise idea. Who’s he, and why is he right here? (If you wish to discover background artwork, learn our tutorial to portray vivid scenes utilizing Procreate and Photoshop.)
04. Defining the atmosphere (or not)
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
Generally the background performs an enormous position in defining your character. An atmosphere can strengthen the traits of your determine. Nevertheless, the alternative may also be true. A easy painterly setting will do for my knight, since all we’ll must know concerning the illustration can be truly targeted on our character itself. However I’ll try some attainable archetypes and symbolism within the background, to trace at his identification.
05. Utilizing Liquify and solidify instruments
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
One trick I’ve been creating in Procreate currently is what I name The Liquify Insanity Extravaganza. Utilizing the extraordinary Liquify software, I am going to create lots of pixel distortions and artefacts, then proceed to ‘sculpt’ shapes and textures into the composition. This usually leads me to some enjoyable and attention-grabbing outcomes. The key is to learn to use and edit the outcomes to uncover some actual gems.
06. Designing the helmet
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
With the fundamental composition organised on the canvas, I begin to outline the weather that may give the illustration a way of thriller and marvel. I resolve he’s a sovereign knight in a realm of storytelling that exists between the fantasy and sci-fi, and so he wants a helmet that may replicate this mix of concepts. Floating items will ’embrace’ his head, whereas additionally appearing as an ornate crown.
07. Recycling fragments of previous art work
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
Looking out via my information, I discover an older line work texture that was meant for an additional piece, and this will likely match completely into the ‘halo’ piece. I minimize, paste and edit the shapes, and alter the layer properties, till I discover the best steadiness. It might probably’t distract the viewer from the focus (the top) an excessive amount of, however must work as a graphic motif that may convey consideration on to the crowded bust.
08. Forging the halo
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
After making use of a texture to the halo piece, I come throughout an unfinished character illustration that has some parts which could work properly for our knight. I throw them into the character’s silhouette (utilizing a Clipping Masks) after which start modifying the usable parts, utilizing the Liquify software and altering the layer properties to Darker or Lighter Colour, whereas additionally erasing and portray over the component to fill within the gaps.
09. Refining textures and weight
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
Putting some handmade textures (once more, dip into your archives and re-use as a lot as attainable) and watercolour paper textures will add the ‘enamel’ that this portray wants. This creates a boundary between the normal and digital media. I sculpt the white paint texture into particular spots, the place the knight’s material could profit from the organic-looking impasto. Setting the feel’s layer properties to completely different results will create the tone I am in search of.
10. Starting the ‘Frankensteining’
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
The great thing about this strategy – what I am calling ‘Frankensteining’ – is that we not solely make use of these unused concepts and visible motifs that we thought had been cool, however there’s additionally the opportunity of merging all of those parts right into a significantly better piece. Right here I take a fraction from a portrait I’ve but to complete that has an enticing metallic plate design. This may enhance the shoulder piece, and higher steadiness the silhouette. It’s essential experiment and check out new blends of previous photographs.
11. Upgrading the clothes
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
We gave our character a stable, primary armour and sword set – sufficient to make the ‘sci-fantasy’ knight idea work. However these parts are nonetheless missing refinement, so I add to his clothes and equipment with a wash of paint. Since I am seeking to obtain my very own bend on the genre-defying amalgamation of fantasy and sci-fi, I add some technological hints to this quasimedieval gentleman to provide him a Krull-meets-Dune really feel.
12. Embellishing the surfaces
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
Now we’ll get again to the Liquify trickery for a bit extra enjoyable! I duplicate the layers that I feel will produce the specified distortions, such because the character itself, and select the Crystals Liquify software (with Momentum and Distortion each set to 100 per cent) to interrupt it into attention-grabbing shapes. Setting the ensuing layer to Darker Colour provides me the fabric to work with, to provide the armour and another parts the additional textures that I’m in search of.
13. Designing medieval cybernetics
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
As a result of we have already got a bigger portion of the composition already outlined, I begin refining the finer particulars. This rendering and designing stage – the weather that may make the character actually shine – takes time, however it’s the second if you’re capable of unify your concepts.
I strategy his armour, in addition to the detailed natural cyber-enhancements in his arm and head, and nonetheless ask questions: can his crimson face be an precise armour piece by itself? How a lot of him is actually… authentic? By no means cease pushing your concepts.
14. Making the ultimate touches
(Picture: © Rafael Sarmento)
After the previous couple of brushstrokes right here and there, some color changes and total checks… behold the Knight of the Crimson Solar! From the ashes of an older illustration folder comes this behemoth of a warrior. Hope you had as a lot enjoyable as I did! I can’t wait to see your personal Frankensteinings and experiments which may flip an previous piece sketch or concept into a fantastic addition to your rising portfolio.
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