Cosplayer: From Sketch To Final Art

Here's a drawing from beginning to finished piece, if anyone's interested.

Step 1: It started out as a rough doodle in my sketchbook, which I scanned into Photoshop.



Step 2: I adjusted the opacity of the sketch to around 20%. Then I created a new layer and drew the figure (on the graphic tablet) over the sketch. I then deleted the sketch layer.

Sometimes I keep the sketch layer for fun and just turn it off so that it's invisible.



Step 3: I adjusted the color of the lines, because I've found that adding color to them looks more interesting than having plain black outlines.

I also added the lightsaber blade. Note: If you want something to look glowly, make it white in the center and add color to the edges.




Step 4: I added color to the figure on a separate layer beneath the drawing. For this drawing I went with pale, washed-out colors instead of my usual eye-searing bright palette.

Not shown-- the part where I hide under the desk because the drawing's not turning out right and I tell myself I can't draw and I'm a fraud and everyone's going to find out.



Step 5: Then I added color to the background on a layer beneath the drawing and its color. Remember, kids, layers are your friend!



Step 6: Added aging effects, just because.