An efficient digital painting process will rapidly increase how fast you paint!
This is a tried and tested digital painting process that builds up the layers of the artwork step by step. This methodical process helps to condition repetition so that it becomes second nature, which means you'll finish your artwork in no time!
Also, because each step is separated it becomes easier to control every stage, going back to make corrections and adjustments.
Main Points
Define Lighting Setup
Where is the key light, fill light and rim light? Are there any ambient lights bouncing around?
Sphere Test
Create a sphere and sample lighting scene . Use this to refer to for consistant values.
Setup Perspective
Add horizon line and vanishing point(s)
Apply Local Colour
What colours work well together overall?
Apply Occlusion
The dark areas where edges meet & light cannot hit
Apply Shadows
What colour will they be? What direction is the light?
Apply Various Lights
Where is the key light? What colour is the the fill light? Where are the fall offs? What effects come into play? Where does the light bounce?
Add Details & Variance
Refine areas of focus and bring everything together
Questions to ask yourself
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Have you setup lighting and Sphere Test?
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Where is the main focus on the image?
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How will the background be hit by light?
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What lighting effects will come into play?
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Working big to small across the image?
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Where are the areas of high & low intensity?
Things to remember
Warm and Cool Colours
Vary local colours & temperatures for a rich image
Shadows & Highlights
Use cool and warm or vice versa and rim light for form
Soft & Hard Edges
Ensure all shadows and forms have appropriate edges
Bounce Light & Scattering
Relationships between objects dictate colour of light
Use Contrast for Focus Points
Vary textures, colour, shapes, space, and value range to create visual energy
Atmospheric Perspective
How do these effects shift in colour across the image?
