• Details:
• Skill Level:Intermediate
• Techniques:digital painting
• Used Software:Photoshop
• Completion Time:2 hours
• Rating:
  
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In this tutorial Steve Argyle shows us how to Paint like a quasi-famous hack in ten easy steps!

STEP 1

For the first step of any piece of art, worry about nothing but structure and proportion. Block things in, measure things out, make sure everything fits with everything else. Compare the placement with either the reference or with one of the many, many fine resources on proportions. I am quite fond of what Andrew Loomis has to say on the subject. I started this one with a toned background, and a reddish brush, just to keep things soft.

STEP 2

Now you can define the shapes with a little more emphasis on contour. We’re just clarifying the rougher structure linework. This would be the point to find and emphasize rhythms. Pay attention to where your eye likes to move, you want to promote a nice, flowing path for the viewer. Fortunately for me, the reference already has that going pretty well.

STEP 3

At this point, we can start roughing in values. Don’t focus in on any one area, just start throwing down some shading to bring the volumes out.

STEP 4

More of the same. I decided that this point to stray from the reference and add some more hair to frame her face. I also cleared away some of the initial structure lines. This is one example of where Photoshop is my best friend. Click the layer off, and viola! (Viola being Italian for “Now I kill you for what you did.”)

STEP 5

The rough value is all here now. I darkened the background to a middle value, because I wanted a stronger focus on the eyes. The idea I’m going to try is the highest contrast is the eyes themselves, and then almost rings af value echoing out and losing contrast. Almost black and white for the eyes, surrounded by light skin then dark hair, then finally a middle tone background. I like the image at this stage. Kinda looks like traditional conte crayon tone drawing.

STEP 6

Now I’m executing on the high contrast for the eyes, by adding some bright tones to the sclera, darkening the eyeliner and iris, and putting in some highlights. Notice that even the brightest eyes don’t usually hit pure white. You want some darker values in there to show that the eye is indeed round, and set in the socket. Sometimes shadows from the eyelashes are present, and can really look cool. This shot has glamour lighting, which is about as flat as it gets. But it makes for a pretty girl.

STEP 7

I’m continuing to add some refinement and detail here, mostly to the lips. Notice in the reference that the lipgloss is thick enough to be creating smooth reflections. A nice touch to include in your painting.

STEP 8

At this point, go over the whole image, darkening and lightening here and there. You want all the pieces to fit with each other. I darkened the hair to push it back, put a little light on the shoulder, and decided the background should be darker still.

STEP 9

And now, it needs color. I did like the monochromatic look, but I think some color could zazz it up. (Zazz is an industry term, meaning “I get paid more than you despite my overwhelming deficiencies.”) So I threw some pinkish on the lips, reddened the cheeks and hair, and added a little green to the background to cool it off.

STEP 10

I thought the cheek bones were a bit strong, so I softened them. Lastly, little detail tweaks, and some texture for the background. Then you write a quick tutorial, hoping that it disguises your shallowness in spending half a sleepless night painting a hot girl. Oh, and sign it, so there’s no mistake it’s yours when Ms. Maran’s lawyers serve your subpoena.

Tags: digital painting

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