hesartuk

In a nutshell: fan art from a screenshot

Added 2023-04-17 11:04:41 +0000 UTC

This isn't the most comprehensive step by step, but the question I get asked the most is probably "how did you do that background?"

The short answer, when it comes to fan art I'm not making money with, is to do a photobash or if I'm feeling very lazy, use a raw screenshot from the game or movie! I've included some fan art of my characters from FFXIV that all use this same method.

When I have my idea in mind, I usually start with the background. I find it much easier to draw a character into the scene than draw the background around them.
I edit/mash/add details and light I need to get it looking like I need. Gradients and soft airbrushes are very useful for colour in this stage-- hard lines and edges between colours draw our eye, so softer or blurred transitions will help it feel coherent and less distracting.
Adding the figure comes next. Most of the time I wing it, but if I have the perfect pose reference for the scene, it makes life easier! Shading on the figure is usually crisp and high contrast-- this is where I want your attention!
Finally I go over with some colour adjustments, darken or blur areas I don't want to be in focus, and add any addition effects such as snow, motion blur, or pops of detail and light.