My Art Process: How to Create a Character

This isn't so much of a tutorial as it is a showing of my digital art process. This is my technique, this is what works for me. If you have any questions or want me to elaborate on anything feel free to leave a comment. I'd like to know how you go about making your line art!

This technique should work in any program that allows you to create multiple layers.

How this technique can be applied to traditional media:

1. Have some good paper, a smoother sketching paper works best, a toothy paper will be hard to add lots of details in the final version.
2. Get some colored pencils. I use Col-Erase pencils because they are light, bright, and best of all: erase.
3. Start sketching with the lightest color. You could use yellow, or a non-photo blue. Try to get your body, and even rough clothing shapes out if you can. Erase as needed, but try to do it sparingly.
4. Refine your sketch with a contrasting or darker color. I usually use a red, violet or orange. Refine your line work as much as possible. If you find you need another layer of refinement use a another color, or a very light mechanical pencil.
5. Inking. You can choose to ink over your colored pencil lines. The colored pencil lines will be easily removable in Photoshop by adjusting the channels of the colors you used. If your lines are too confusing to ink over, or if you simply don't want to ink or final pencil over the colored pencil you can use a light box and another piece of paper to trace your lines unto a fresh piece of paper for inking or other traditional coloring.

This is how I usually do any of my traditional drawing pieces.

I hope you find my techniques useful. Download for enlarged viewing.