NOVEMBER CHALLENGE 🖤
Bonjour my little demon, ready to collect gem #12?
Whether you just joined or have been here from the beginning, thank you so much for reading.
TODAY’S GEM
I used to think that the artists I admired could invent magical characters effortlessly—I couldn’t have been more wrong!
Creating a character with a backstory is all about a clear, step-by-step process. In my course, I detail the necessary steps to create stylized fantastical portraits, and here’s the breakdown:
- Brainstorm Ideas: Let your imagination run wild. Gather themes, moods, and traits for your character.
- Build a Backstory: Who are they? What’s their world like? This story will shape every detail.
- Turn Story into Visuals: Translate the character’s story into their appearance—think expressions, poses, clothing, symbols, companions...
- Gather References: Collect visual inspiration from photos, nature, and real life.
- Draft & Experiment: Make thumbnails, test different compositions, play around!
- Draw the Final Portrait: Only then do you create the final piece, with a clear direction.
The fantastical portrait you see in the end? It’s the result of a long, detailed process. But it's one that works—every time!
What portrait topic would you like me to cover next?
Bisous,
Léa
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