Draw with Me: Part 1

Read below and follow the complete process to a complete illustration!

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Finding the Idea #

After Mermay, I needed a new idea, so I looked at what was coming up in the next few months. Birthdays, holidays, moon phases, upcoming events… Since I’ve been on a bit of a spiritual journey this year and trying to connect with nature more, my mind clung to something seasonal, nature inspired, and a bit on the witchy side.

So, first I went to my old sketchbooks and found this sketch:

It’s a good start, but needs some work. I took a picture of the sketch to reference and redraw on my iPad. My go to canvas on Procrate is 10x14in or 3000x4200px, sRGB, 300DPI, maximum layers 79. You don’t need to use an iPad or other tablet for sketching, it’s just what I prefer sometimes, especially when working with some of my older sketches.

Now, this sketch is more finished than others, but with my current inspiration I decided to change a couple things:

• First, my style has changed and I want to reshape her face and hair
• I want to use seasonal flowers and flora- something more autumn related.
• She needs a body, so I need to sketch out arms and hands

I believe every piece of art should push you or help you improve somehow, here’s a few things that would challenge me in this piece:

• A bouquet of flowers (not my favorite thing to draw/paint)
• A curly hairstyle
• Soft expression
• Limited palatte

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Make Notes #

As I look at pictures, I take notes on the elements I want in the illustration. Usually on a sticky note that I can put in my sketchbook or keep nearby my iPad.

You can see on the pinterest board I made for this particular illustration that I became inspired by CLAMP illustrations and fae creatures. The color palattes and softness of their iluustrations is something I’ve always liked, and I wanted to try and emulate some of that in this particular illustration, but of course in my own style.

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Create a Palette #

I use Coolers to help find a color palette. It’s free to download. If you use Procreate, you can also create a palette from a photo. Check google and YouTube for tutorials. I won’t give one here, because I don’t usually do this. The hex codes for each color are listed for you.

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Personal Note #

Now, I am a emotional painter. A “pantser”. I plan and research, but ultimately I always go with my gut. Technicalities aside, I paint what I like in a way that I like because that’s what makes me happy. I may choose a certain idea or color palette, and then while going through the process, I change my mind. It’s happened before and it will happen again. It’s part of my process and it works for me, but it doesn’t work for everyone, so be sure to spend time adjusting and trying different things to find what fits for you.

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Final Sketch #

Once I feel the inspiration and have my references ready, I get to sketching. Sometimes it takes a couple minutes to make a rough sketch, sometimes it takes up to an hour. I usually stop sketching after an hour to give my brain a break from the heavy load of putting together compositon and trying to get the image right. If I’m happy with it by then, great! If not, I’ll return to it another time.

photo/procreate video of rough sketch

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Next Step #

The next step is to define the sketch and do the line art. Read for Part Two: Improving Sketches and Line Art from the Creative Process Series, then follow along with Part Two of the Draw With Me Series!

You can share your sketches with me on social media! Click the links below and tag me to show off your artwork!