My Illustration Style: Tips & Techniques for Simplifying and Stylizing

In this video I draw characters from the new Zelda game, Tears of The Kingdom, in my own illustration style. I talk about how I visually interpret things into my unique style by focusing on what makes specific characters unique. I've spent the past 12+ years working as a professional illustrator creating work for clients like Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Adidas, Google, and lots more. Throughout that time I've developed my own personal illustration style. In this video, I'll go into detail about my process for drawing different things and reimagining existing character in my own visual style.
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zelda art, zelda fan art, zelda game art, tears of the kingdom, illustration style, drawing style

[@chris-piascik]

In this other video I'll show you how to make a repeating pattern with this Zelda art: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5fVammfrM5gfKc

[@Lequickreal]

The more i see you draw , the more i want to get back to drawing ✍️

[@chris-piascik]

hah thanks so much! That's nice to hear.

[@BunkoFlakes]

Had a browse through your channel for some of your style videos. I absolutely love this one and I'd love to see more sort of fanart videos 📸

[@chris-piascik]

Awesome, thank you!

[@wingch]

Thanks Chris! Your advice is very helpful!

[@chris-piascik]

Glad you think so!

[@marklsimonson]

I liked seeing your process on this one, where you're basing the art on something existing instead of from your imagination.

[@chris-piascik]

Thanks Mark! I was worried it would be hard to articulate, but I think it’s semi-coherent, hah!

[@MissingL1nk]

Hey Chris. I’m just a carpenter who recently got an iPad with a pencil for work on construction drawings in the field. But I’ve gone down a bit of a trace/procreate/fresco rabbit hole. Anyway… Want to say thanks for making videos I’ve found useful and opening my eyes to new creative possibilities and the fun these new tools can be, without being a tool. You’re killing it :)

[@chris-piascik]

Ah thanks so much! I appreciate you taking the time to let me know.

[@nanoa4863]

Your drawing has a unique style and captures a sense of artistic expression.

[@chris-piascik]

Thanks so much!

[@Trainwhrek]

nice the sword is sick

[@chris-piascik]

Thxxxx

[@PriusTurbo]

Very nice! Dude I think you're hitting a sweet spot as far as pace with the drawing and narration of the vids. Definitely speaking to my thoughts about what you're doing as you're doing it, which makes the vids super helpful and highly watchable. Honestly you could just keep cranking this type of stuff out and introduce certain techniques and tips in different vids and I'll keep on watching! Also your laid back style and the fact that you're not overly excited and shouting at me puts me in a chill relaxed state so it's almost meditative watching this stuff. Thanks man! Once I start drawing I'll definitely have some questions for ya!

[@chris-piascik]

Oh thanks so much, I appreciate the feedback!

[@markopazyniak]

Yes, that was helpful. Thanks for sharing. I want to develop my own cartoon style and the best way I found is learning from you. So thanks!

[@chris-piascik]

Glad it was helpful!

[@doodylankiiing]

Love your videos man thank you for sharing your process, tips, knowledge and wisdom to us trying to find/make our way in this hectic art world

[@chris-piascik]

Thanks so much! So glad you’re enjoying them!

[@skeskali]

I appreciated the T-Boz sideburns reference!

[@chris-piascik]

Lol I’m glad!

[@neishaafuaokyerewaalarbi4637]

I really enjoyed this😂

[@chris-piascik]

So glad to hear!

[@KeenKong9000]

Love it.

[@chris-piascik]

Thanks mr. Kong!

[@DallasCrane]

Excellent colors and style. Love the font too!

[@chris-piascik]

Thanks so much!

[@pauljakeman]

This was awesome buddy, really explained it well how to do it. Will definitely try this out. I already did a Mario in my style but want to do different characters like that too. It’s better to try something different but what you can do. Don’t go chasing waterfalls, just stick to the rivers and lakes that your used to. 😉

[@chris-piascik]

Glad it helped! Thank you so much!

[@pauljakeman]

@@chris-piascik no worries man.i started off small and this afternoon re did Mario in my style and tried out yoshi too

[@tylergibson7652]

Killer video!!

[@chris-piascik]

Thanks so much Tyler!

[@jimmydrock]

Great vid! After that T Boz reference, I thought you were drawing that S in the sword that everyone drew in the 90s lol

[@chris-piascik]

Lol!

[@littlefox3128]

Great video!

[@chris-piascik]

Thxxxxxx

[@kuyakuma]

Hit that Algo!

[@chris-piascik]

Lol, it’s not working so far!

[@cannabissaves8940]

❤

[@chris-piascik]

Thank you!

[@Hamiltron_]

I forgot to like this video before the auto play got me. Anyways…. Here I am! Breath of the Wild is my fav game of all time. That says something considering I’ve been playing since the Atari era. If you’re gonna pick up a game to relax and let you mind get taken away…. That’s the one. Beautiful art style. You may appreciate it if your ADHD doesn’t drive you nuts. K, bye.

[@chris-piascik]

Hah thanks! I’ve made it this long without getting it, but who knows…

[@ajamesdraws]

Turning off the reference after the sketch is such a good idea. Really makes into a progressive exaggeration exercise.

[@chris-piascik]

That was a big one for me!

[@Syx696]

@chris-piascik I've had problems with maintaining focus on mastering certain skills like perspective drawing to improve my work. I was wondering what helped you to maintain focus and not get bored with it that I could try? It's a struggle for me. Any tips or advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[@chris-piascik]

That's definitely been a struggle for me too. So much so that I don't really have things like perspective drawing mastered. I've sort of decided that I'm ok with the imperfection and looseness in my work. I've personally had a lot of luck with tricking myself over the years my making challenges for myself. Maybe you can do a series around something that you really like that might stretch your skills in a particular area. For example, I wanted to make better skulls, so I decided to do a daily skull project and it forced me to experiment more and try new things. This likely wouldn't have worked if it was something I didn't want to draw though!

[@kellyvize1266]

So helpful! It's the little tips and tricks that we all appreciate, thanks Chris! :)

[@chris-piascik]

Thank you Kelly!