21-Draw-Illustrators-Guidebook-vol-2-ebook-(2021)

I use my favorite reference image to help
me—an illustration of the ghost emerging
above a sleeping woman.
I also develop my ghost character further,
painting in more detail. I want the forms of
his ethereal “tail” to twist and turn and feel
like smoke or ectoplasm. This adds to his
personality—he is sort of a trickster whose
intentions aren’t clear. I need to make sure
my ghost contrasts enough to read well
but does not overpower the main focal
point of the flashlight and the kids. I use my
reference images to help me, especially my
favorite illustration of the ghost emerging
above the sleeping woman.
Building upon the foundation of my
background, I paint out the lines and define
key areas such as the window and picture
frames, the hall flooring, and the stairs. I
want just enough detail in the background
to sell the setting; if I go too far, I risk
distracting from the main action, characters,
and their performances. I need just enough
to set the scene.
I do this stage of the painting holistically.
I don’t paint one area to completion and
then move on. I build up the whole image
slowly, moving around the illustration and
gradually focusing my attention on key
areas, like the characters as I progress. This
way I ensure the whole image looks unified.
Although I do like to keep some areas of my
image impressionistic. I don’t need to paint
intricate details over the entire piece, just
where it is important for clarity of the scene.
Everything else can be simply suggested.
LESSON 7: PAINTING IN DETAILS
Building on your block in, start to add
shadows on the characters while being
mindful of light sources. Think about how
light is hitting the characters, either in
the form of direct lights or rim lights and
don’t forget ambient bounced light from
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