Kreekakon's Artist Training Grounds (2012/9/15 Chapter 3 - Shading Phase 1)

[Kreekakon]

Kreekakon's Artist Training Grounds

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Hey there Frictional Games community! It is my hope that through this session that everyone here can learn a bit more about the traditional pencil art that I do. It is true that anyone can draw, and the people here are no exception!

Throughout this course/tutorial, I shall walk you through the stages in which I create one of my many pencil drawings, which in this case will be a picture of a Brute from Amnesia the Dark Descent as suggested by fellow member Hirnwirbel.

Throughout each step, and chapter, I will tell you all what you should watch out during said step, as well as many general rules of thumb, and tips.


Before we start off however, here are the various tools you will need to create a typical black/white pencil drawing:


1. Pencils
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71...A1042_.jpg

It is highly, highly recommended that you use a variety of pencils which all have varying softness. The more you have, the more control you will have over the overall brightness, and shading of your picture. If you do not however, basic 2B pencils will also work, but results will be far inferior. Also don't forget to bring a pencil sharpener with you.

I typically use a Faber-Castell 12 pencil set with softness ranging from 2H to 8B.

2. Paper

Like with pencils, I do not recommend using standard A4 printing paper. That type of paper is horrible at capturing the pencil lines, and is difficult to use. I recommend you try to find whatever paper you can which you think has a rough material. Rough paper can capture pencil lines much better.

3. Eraser
http://cdn.dickblick.com/items/210/02/21...-2ww-m.jpg

Any white eraser will do.

4. Pencil-Style Eraser
http://www.restockit.com/images/Product/...NZE22A.jpg

Also, any one will do, though I recommend thinner the better. This will be used for sharpening, and applying details, so the thinner it is the more precise you can be although it really isn't that big a issue if you have a slightly larger one.

5. Tissue Paper

This will be used to smooth out shading. Any kind will do just fine.

6. Ruler

Fills more of a support role. Helps a lot when you need it.


Now that we have supplies out of the way. I'll run you all through a very quick, and brief walkthrough of the stages of drawing. Don't worry if you don't understand just yet. All will be made much clearer when details are delved into in future chapters.

This quick walkthrough will depict a drawing of a sphere:

1. Select your reference image (This reference image was drawn by me in Flash)
Picture: http://www.fileize.com/files/779b81da/9e9/step0.png

2. Print out your reference image, and apply a 4x4 grid to it.
Picture: http://www.fileize.com/files/7ff0e820/f80/step1.png

3. Create another grid on a sheet of paper with the same ratio as the reference, and draw a rough outline.
Picture: http://www.fileize.com/files/05cdff3a/3c6/step2.png

4. Apply shading to the darkest parts of the picture.
Picture: http://www.fileize.com/files/0818bf07/035/step3.png

5. Apply general shading everywhere else based off of the reference picture.
Picture: http://www.fileize.com/files/58f7cec7/a16/step4.png

6. Smooth out the shading with the tissue paper.
Picture: http://www.fileize.com/files/24c9ffe1/806/step5.png

7. Apply final details, and refine the image where it needs it. (I added a crack in this picture just to illustrate my point a bit better)
Picture: http://www.fileize.com/files/1d55260d/ce7/step6.png


The above is a general idea of how one of my drawings is created. That will be it for the introduction. Feel free to voice your thoughts on how this chapter was, and if you have any questions feel free to ask!


~End of Chapter 1

Next chapter: Standard Outlines