support my work on patreon live workshop and online courses with Xia Taptara FREE VIDEO AND PS BRUSHES

Using sketch to create illustration

Digital painting tutorial Lady White Snake. This post I am going to talk about how I am using an existing sketch in my sketchbook to create painted illustration. As some of you know I am trying to paint a Lady Snake, Bai Suzhen (白素貞), from the old Chinese white snake demon tale.  I paint a quick composition of the piece a few weeks back, composition sketch white snake lady, but I realize it is not what I am really looking for.  This time I am trying to take my paint up a few knots and take it to the next step.  The one I have is very straight forward front pose and sitting on a tree.  I think it is too static, plus the last two illustrations I did, "Digital illustration step by step" and "Jungle woman illustration step by step".  Both are very identical (on purpose) and both are sitting on a tree.


Now I decided that I want it to be a little more involve, dramatic lighting, and some emotion from the characters.
So here is what I have so far.  It takes me a few hours to paint and still need to put some more hours on it.
White Snake Lady WIP

It turns out like how I really want it and yet far superior than the previous composition sketch.  It took me a long while to think up the pose.  But once I had the main pose and core lighting, everything just slowly comes together nicely.  This might be another better one of mine, or at least I hope.  First I had an idea for a pose, then I start look through my sketchbooks, I didn't realize I have so many.  Then I found a quick figure study sketch with vague lighting that I can use as a starting point, see the sketch below.

jungle woman illustration tutorial

Once I looked at the sketch and I had a really good idea on what I want.  Then I scanned it in and start scribbling over the existing drawing as you see on the first step of the six step by step images below.  As you can see, I use the existing light and shadow to apply to my idea of my fantasy illustration.  Then on #2, I simplified the value into just almost 2 basic value so that is easier to work with.  On #3 I decided to add more snake coil to make her look more snake like and more chaotic fun.  Then I just try to simply render and keep the value how it should be.  Her snake body/tail should be reflective like shiny snake scales.  The in #4, I realize that she look a bit static still.  So I decided to have her give a bit of body twist away from the guy as if she was trying to hide her naked torso.  It was the right decision because it automatically make her looks a lot more feminine and lively.  But then #6, she still look a little piss and lifeless in her expression.  My solution was maybe she should have a playful smile and the guy should look more angry because it conveys the situation that the White snake lady has the upper hand.  Or more so like she is just having fun toying with him because they are on totally different level.  The result is shown in the final image in the bottom.  More work to do though, hopefully it will turn out how I want it to.

fantasy art painting tutorial

how to draw fantasy art

Here is the older version, it looks pale in comparison to the new composition painting.
composition sketch

Here is the new version, still in progress, I will try to finish it up soon.
how to draw fantasy art

To see finished version of the painting go to Lady White Snake illustration.

FREE download, 30 minutes of Video tutorials.Free Drawing Tutorial video download


I hope you guys enjoy the post.  Cheers!

Comments