Hey, hey, hey, what’s up, guys? Welcome to my brand spanking new blog! I’ve been wanting to start this thing for, like, forever? I had been stuck for years thinking on how to make it super cool, searching how to attach audio and other stuff, but then, I was like, “this overthinking is getting me nowhere!” So, I finally decided to just go for it and start writing, baby!
I know some of you have been begging me for tips on how to level up your illustrations, so if you are one of these curious people, today is your lucky day! I’m about to drop 10 tips on you to help you create some awesome art. Ready to get your creative juices flowing? Let’s do this thing!
TIP #1: KNOW YOUR TOOLS
Sound obvious, but knowing your tools is essential to get the most out of them and producing high-quality illustrations. Each tool has its own specific characteristics and techniques that must be understood in order to use them correctly.
If you work on a traditional medium, pencils, for example, it’s important to know the different grades of hardness and softness of the lead (I never know, that’s why I suck using them), as well as the types of erasers and sharpeners that are suitable for each type of pencil. You should also learn how to apply different types of strokes, such as lines, shading, and textures, to achieve the desired effects.
If you want to learn how to paint with watercolours or inks, you should know the different painting techniques and how to mix colours to create a wide range of tones. When we are starting, most of the time we buy a chunky amount of colours and hues thinking we are doing great, and the reality is that, with only 5 or 6 colours, you can manage to create all the colour palette (well, if not all, almost all) It’s also important to learn how to work with different types of watercolour paper, as each one has a unique texture and absorption capacity. In the beginning, maybe you can start buying more affordable papers, as we are going to spoil a lot with the first tries, in this process I learnt that I prefer hot-press papers over cold-press because the texture annoys me.
⚡If you work with digital pencils or graphic tablets, it’s important to know the software you’re using, such as Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, Clip Studio, Illustrator… You may see there are a lot of options with a wide variety of prices that also offers different tools and brushes available. You should also learn how to work with layers, adjust opacity, and use different blending modes to achieve the desired effects.
To know your tools, it’s important to practice with them, experiment and watch how other artist works with them. When I first tried Procreate for the first time I felt so lost, but once I saw other artists’ processes, soon I manage to learn how to use layers and blending modes. Also, it’s important to try different techniques and styles, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because Practice and experimentation are key to mastering your tools and improving your skills as an illustrator.
TIP #2: PRACTICE ON YOUR SKETCHBOOK
Working on the sketchbook is fundamental for any illustrator, whether you work in traditional or digital media. Even if you’re a digital artist, it’s important to practice freehand drawing to improve your skills and have a better understanding of shapes, proportions, and perspectives.
Working on your sketchbook also helps you develop your own drawing style and gives you the opportunity to experiment with different techniques. Some popular techniques you can work with include markers, pencils, pens, inks, gouache and watercolours, I mention these ones because they are the ones I experiment with on my sketchbook without ruining the paper.
⚡ It’s important to practice regularly to improve your skills. You can start with simple exercises, doodling basic shapes and characters and then progress to more complex and detailed drawings.
Another advantage of practising on your sketchbook is that it allows you to create quick and spontaneous sketches anytime, anywhere. This can be useful for quickly capturing ideas and concepts and for developing your visualization skills.
TIP #3: FIND INSPIRATION FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES
Finding inspiration from different sources is fundamental for any illustrator who wants to develop their unique style and keep their creativity fresh. Inspiration can come from various sources such as books, movies, music, art, landscapes, and personal experiences, among others.
⚡ When it comes to seeking inspiration, it’s important to keep an open mind and be curious. Don’t limit yourself to one type of source, instead, seek inspiration from different places and forms of art. For example, if you’re used to drawing comic book characters, try seeking inspiration from nature, architecture, or photography. This exploration can help you develop new styles and techniques that you can add to your current one, making your drawings richer.
It’s also important to take note of your ideas and sources of inspiration, so, as I said on Tip #2, carry your sketchbook with you and jot down ideas or sketches when they come to you. This will help you not to lose valuable ideas and have a list of references and inspirations for future projects. Nowadays, if you own an Ipad is also so easy to sketch your ideas without having to carry a lot of materials.
Seeking inspiration from other artists is also a good option, I like to have my first inspiration dope each morning before waking up just checking Instagram and Twitter and seeing all that amazing art!
TIP #4: USE REFERENCES
Using references is an important tool for any illustrator, as it can help you improve the accuracy and quality of your illustrations. References can come in many forms, from photographs and drawings to physical objects and live models. Thinking that experienced illustrators don't use references it's a big mistake.
By using references, you can better understand the shape and proportion of the objects you are drawing, which can be especially helpful when working with human or animal figures. References can also help you capture unique details and features, such as the texture of the skin or the pattern of an animal’s fur.
Furthermore, references can help improve your observation skills and develop your own stylized style and technique.
⚡ It is important to remember that using references does not mean copying or plagiarizing the work of other artists. Instead, it is about using references as a tool to improve your own work and develop your own style and technique.
When using references, it is important to make sure they are accurate and relevant to the subject you are illustrating. It is also important to be aware of copyright laws and obtain permission if necessary to use images or photographs from other artists.
TIP #5: CREATE SKETCHES BEFORE STARTING
Creating preliminary sketches before starting an illustration is a common and essential practice for any illustrator. These thumbnails, as I like to call them, allow you to plan and visualize your final artwork before starting to work on it, which helps you save time and resources.
Preliminary sketches allow you to experiment with different designs, styles and colour palettes to see what works best. You can play with different proportions, perspectives, textures, and composition elements to create an illustration that is appealing and functional for the intended purpose.
In addition, creating sketches allows you to make changes before starting the final illustration. With digital art, it's super easy to create different sketches in different layers, to adjust them until work for you. In my case, I do between 3-5 sketches until I got one I like, so don't be afraid or think that illustrators with more experience make one perfect sketch ready to paint, normally took a lot of time hehe.
As I said, these preliminary sketches don’t have to be perfect. In fact, it’s better if they’re quick and spontaneous so you can experiment with different ideas. Once you’ve created your preliminary sketches, choose the one you like the most and transform it into the final illustration.
⚡ If you’re working on an illustration project for a client, it’s important to share your preliminary sketches with them so they can give their input and make comments.
TIP #6: EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT STYLES
Experimenting with different styles is an excellent way to discover your artistic preferences and develop your own unique style. While it can be tempting to stick to one style or technique, trying new things and experimenting will help you expand your skills and create more interesting and original illustrations.
You can also experiment with different techniques and materials, such as coloured pencils, watercolours, ink, or digital media, to discover new ways of expressing yourself.
Don’t be afraid to try new things and have fun with your illustrations. Sometimes the best ideas and results come when you allow yourself to experiment without worrying too much about the final outcome.
⚡ In addition, experimenting with different styles also helps you develop your ability to adapt to different projects and clients. While it’s important to have your own style, it’s also important to be able to adapt and create illustrations that meet the specific needs of the project or client.
TIP #7: KEEP IT SIMPLE
Keeping simplicity in your illustrations can be a very effective approach to communicating a message clearly and effectively. Often, the most powerful illustrations are those that are clean and simple and convey an idea in a clear and concise manner.
Instead of trying to fill your illustration with unnecessary details, focus on the most important elements and try to simplify your style. Avoid adding elements that don’t contribute to the story or that may distract the viewer’s attention, I know it's difficult because sometimes we have the feeling that our art it's unfinished and we keep adding and adding stuff, in my case, lightning effects. After reviewing the final piece, most of the time I found more appealing clean versions than the final render image.
Simplicity can also be achieved through the use of a limited colour palette and a clear composition. If you use a simple and limited colour palette, your illustration will be easier to read and understand. Similarly, a clear composition will help direct the viewer’s attention to the most important elements of the image.
TIP #8: USE THE RIGHT COLOR
The choice of colour is an essential part of the illustration creation process. The proper use of colour can help convey emotions and moods and can make your illustration more effective in conveying a message or story.
The choice of the right colours for an illustration should depend on the theme, story, or message that you want to achieve. For example, if you are illustrating a nighttime scene, you may want to use darker shades to create an appropriate atmosphere. If you are illustrating a natural landscape, you may want to use softer and more natural shades to create a relaxed and harmonious environment.
In addition, the choice of colour can also be used to create proper contrast in your illustration. If your illustration is predominantly one colour, it may be necessary to add another colour to create contrast and give it depth and dimension.
⚡ It is important to experiment with different combinations of colours and shades to find what works best for your drawing, such as complementary colours, analogous colours, or triadic colours, and make sure the colours you choose are consistent with the story you are trying to tell.
TIP #9: WORK ON LIGHTING
Working on lighting is a key element to create effective and convincing illustrations. By understanding how light and shadow affect your illustrations, you can improve the quality and depth of your creations.
To work on lighting, it’s important that you know the basics of colour theory and how it relates to light and shadow. Understanding how colours mix and how light interacts with them will help you create more realistic and detailed illustrations.
Once you have a basic understanding of colour theory, it’s time to experiment with different types of light and shadow. You can use light to create different effects and atmospheres in your illustrations. Similarly, you can experiment with different types of shadows, such as hard and soft shadows, to create a sense of depth and volume in your illustrations, and of course, you can learn how to simplify all the lightning processes to make it fit more a more stylized style.
⚡ Remember that lighting is a powerful tool to evoke emotions and create atmospheres in your illustrations. You can use lighting to highlight specific elements of your illustration or to create a mysterious or emotional ambience.
TIP #10: SHARE YOUR WORK AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK
Sharing your work and receiving feedback is one of the best ways to improve as an artist and illustrator. By showing your work to others, you can gain a different perspective on your work and see things that you may not have noticed before. Additionally, feedback gives you the opportunity to receive comments and suggestions that will help you improve your skills and grow as an artist.
Social media is an excellent way to showcase your work to a wider audience. For example, Instagram is a popular platform for artists and designers where you can post your illustrations and receive constructive feedback and comments from other artists and followers, as well as being part of an art community.
You can also join art groups online or in person. These groups allow you to connect with other artists and receive feedback in a safe and supportive environment. Online art groups also allow you to share your illustrations with people from all over the world and receive feedback from a wide variety of cultural and artistic perspectives, for this purpose, you can join our Discord community and share your art to get feedback from another artist!
⚡ It’s important to remember that feedback may not always be positive, but it’s important not to take it personally. Instead, try to use the feedback to improve and grow as an artist. If you receive negative criticism, try to understand where it’s coming from and use that information to improve your work.
So, these were the 10 best tips for improving your illustrations! I hope these tips help you improve your drawing in some way and enjoy the creative process even more! Remember that practice and experimentation are key to success in the world of illustration.
✨ Stay Creative ✨
Images source: canva.com
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