My Illustration process on Photoshop | Artist hangout on Zoom

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Come watch me showcase my illustration process on Photoshop! On this Zoom artist hangout, I draw a cute little bird and share tips to improve your illustrations.
My Illustration process on Photoshop | Artist hangout on Zoom
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[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

What is your illustration process like, and what tools/techniques do you love to use? Let me know in the comments!

[@riosimone8951]

This was great! I love watching how other artist’s work. Thanks for all tips throughout the video!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thank you so much for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

[@rependes]

Thank you so much for sharing, so many tips and trix! I look forward to follow your channel.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thanks for stopping by, I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed the video!

[@CoreyartusImagery]

I missed this one so long ago! I'm really glad you're sharing it! I think my process is relatively rudimentary--I use Procreate mostly, and I like to use a specific "texture" effect that emulates a slightly toned paper. I use one layer as a background on the bottom of my layer stack, with a duplicated layer over the top with the color completely desaturated and set to Overlay. All my layers are sandwiched between them, and this helps my brushes assume the texture of the background, making them look more "real". I like to do a drawn image layout/outline first with an uber- textured soft pencil brush that's almost charcoal-like At that point I make a choice: "ink" it, and define the lines clearly and sharply, or lean into the textures by adding shading to create a bit of form. Either way, step two is to block in flat colors under the sketch. Sometimes they're tightly shaped with strong edges, and other times they're rough and "textural" with brushy painterly strokes to create shapes--sort of like very loose watercolors. I have a tendency to either work really tight and get looser or start loose and get tighter. It's difficult for me to find a balance. Step three is to add layers with different modes to create more form and texture: Multiply, Overlay, and sometimes Color Burn--especially on flesh tones. I use MANY layers of Multiply and Overlay, doing different things with different colors and grays. Step four is to insert shadows that I've missed and lay in a neutral shadowy painterly underpainting and the highlights. Both of these are on yet more Multiply and Overlay layers. Because of this, my illustrations have a tendency to have a lot of saturated darks and concentrated highlights. Finally, for step 5, I sometimes use Will Terry's trick of adding a layer over the top using Color Dodge and filling it with black. Then I use a white (or golden yellow candlelight) to make intense highlights or generalized lighting using a soft brush. This makes a lot of my work feel even *more* dark and "dramatic"and inevitably leads to the use of black. (I wonder if this doesn't push things away from a stereotypical "children's illustration" narrower ranger of values and thrust them into more adult/middle-grade appeal?) Throughout all of this, I'm selecting specific areas and layers in which to paint and do the form-creating. That varies significantly with each project. I have a tendency to stick to a limited group of brushes I prefer, but I inevitably use a new brush outside of my preferences on each project. And I've recently learned that doing a gray-toned value painting before making color choices and form choices is very very useful. They aren't about making a map of choices to follow but about going through a process that makes you think about composition and lighting and such. I started doing that, and I think it has boosted my confidence in the choices I make later. Honestly, my process isn't very different from what I understand everyone is initially taught when doing digital art. So it's nice to see processes that break that norm. I think the way I put things together is pretty average. I'm feeling confident enough about it after several years that now I'm realizing it's much harder to actually come up with a good concept and composition--those are the things that make or break a great piece to begin with no matter how unique or fancy one's painting process is. Your discussion about your cute Toucan and how you abstract it is *exactly* what is so challenging about illustration!! Thanks again for such informative vids, Ness!! You're a natural teacher. I hope this continues to be something you enjoy doing!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Wow Corey, thanks so much for taking the time to write such a detailed account of your process!! 😀 This is really helpful to know exactly how you do it - and I have to try that trick of adding colors and shading by using multiply, overlay, color burn, etc. I rarely use layer modes and I should utilize their potential more!

[@llavella86]

Very nice and useful meeting. Still new things to learn ^_^

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I’m glad you liked it 🥰

[@dckdvd]

I've worked in Photoshop for years, but for photo editing. It's nice to see it used for illustration. I love that the vector tools are very similar to those in Adobe Illustrator. It's interesting that you drop corner points with your pen tool, then go back to adjust your bezier curves-instead of just click and drag beziers on your first trace.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Haha yes I really have no clue why but dragging the bezier on my first trace is brain busting for me haha! Photoshop is so big, everyone works so differently in it! It's always fascinating for me to see how others use it :)

[@dckdvd]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess So true. I've learned a few new things today. I've been hesitant to make illustrations in Photoshop, but I've learned so many techniques here, that now I'm willing to try. Just need to pic up a Wacom tablet, haha. I see that you are creating vector shapes, but still using some raster brushes and textures. How does this effect scalability in your art? Do you work from a large canvas resolution or how do you have to scale up for print without those raster elements getting too pixelated?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@dckdvd Great question! I work in large canvas, usually the size of the final printed product + bleed at 300 dpi. So I do not scale up from the original. I think in 10+ years I messed up once and had to scale up. What I did is delete all my details, shading and textures, scale up the vectors and start the details again from there. Not ideal, but at least I didn't have to start from scratch again haha... I going back into traditional art these days, so I definitely can't do that anymore. But with some planning in advance, it works out :)

[@babiealexandrapulga2686]

Birds are really something I haven't focused on drawing yet. This is really interesting and very helpful! 💖

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Birds are so fascinating, they're simple shapes and yet so malleable that they can create a huge range of poses. Plus they're cute and flufy!! 💖

[@lgp423]

I'm a classically trained artist and haven't done a single digital illustration but would be very interested to give it a try! Thank you Ness for this very informative and valuable lesson 🙏♥️ it was a real fun to watch!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@seemaqaiserqaiser6388]

Thank you so much I was searching for so long for a video like this .

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I'm glad you enjoyed it hun!

[@falcongreens2570]

Wonderful !. Great people and great tutorial

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thank you!

[@humphrey_bear_MDC]

Interesting process. I love to watch artists at work.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thanks for watching!

[@thek7622]

I'm so glad you share all this! This is amazing. I wish someone would have taught me sooner hahaha. Also, i have the same exact problem as you i.e. I tend to draw very much from reality, it will take me a very long thinking process to design my composition to bend it from reality until i get satisfied. At first I thought this was because I did not have enough practice ( I'm all self taught). Glad to know I'm not the only one with the problem. Please keep up the good work. You really inspired me in so many ways. 🥰

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thank you for your kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@swedishchef721]

Learned a lot from this, thank you for sharing!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thank for stopping by hun, I'm glad you liked the tutorial!

[@digidrawdude]

This is NEATTTTTT 🔥

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Aww thank you!!

[@sanpls]

Beautiful art, so cute

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thank you so much 😀

[@rosegoldflower4821]

I'm shocked to have met someone who uses the exact same techniques as I do. 🤯 I'm happy 😁

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Wow that's so cool!! Great minds think alike as they say!

[@kueen7538]

This was excellent!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thank you hun, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@tambo2397]

Thanks for the insight! :D

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Any time!

[@llawliet8664]

that was great i learn a lot.👍

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Glad it was helpful!

[@maxbogner1]

First off - wow! Thank you so much for such an in-depth intro into your beautiful style and approach! So generous of you! But, I have/own the CS6 Suite and have Photoshop on my computer (Mac). I don't have a subscription. So I'm not able to download Kyle Webster's brushes. If I may ask: what brushes would you recommend for the initial sketching phase and for the watercolor (or any other kind) shading? Thank you, again, Ness! You rock!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

The main brush I use in this video isn't actually from Kyle, but I got it from a job so I'm not sure where it is from :/ But I would start with free brushes, there are loads of them and you can get a feel for what you like this way!

[@maxbogner1]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess Thank you for getting back to me so quickly, Ness, and for this! Will do. All the best to you in '22-stay safe/sane/healthy! - db

[@lianamarsileat.7106]

I'm so glad when you share this and the group community info on Facebook because I've been looking for it for a longgg time (since Facebook is not really popular for people at my age in my country nowadays so I don't use it a lot but I guess it's time for me to explore Facebook more again)

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I feel you on that haha! I only ever use Facebook for groups anymore!

[@lianamarsileat.7106]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess Ah I see, I thought this only happens in my country xD

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@lianamarsileat.7106 Where are you from? :)

[@lianamarsileat.7106]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess I'm from Indonesia. I've just followed you on ig btw

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@lianamarsileat.7106 Indonesia! Wow that's awesome!!

[@marcellepaiva8725]

Hi Vanessa, I'm starting to draw for kids now. Do you use only photoshop or have you used ipad to draw? Thanks for your videos.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I only draw on my computer because drawing on the iPad hurts my neck. That's just me though! Many professional artists love their iPad :) Find what works for you.

[@HiMyNameIsXX00]

Hi! Thanks so much for sharing! How do you go about sizing of the page on the software when illustrating a page for a children's book? On that note, is it possible to illustrate a file, while still being able to keep the highest quality when exporting that illustrated file for a book? If you already have a video discussing that, I'd be happy to be referred to it! I only have basic skills and experience with graphic design, but would like to learn more and begin illustrating even if it's just to develop a personal skill or hobby as I do love to draw/paint, I would love to hear from you. I'll be using Krita, an open source software.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

There is no standard size for books, each one is a bit different :) I have a video on formatting books that may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqGlnXuCr7eSfck

[@HiMyNameIsXX00]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess Perfect thank you so much Vanessa! Have a wonderful rest of your day!!

[@cka4114]

This might be a silly or obvious question, but after watching your video, and many other illustration videos to be honest, I noticed that Photoshop is the preferred software used by most artists. Why is that? Wouldn't most illustrators want to illustrate in ILLUSTRATOR?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

It's not a silly question at all! The names are confusing and don't make sense... Although the software is called Illustrator, it's actually a vector based software so it's more commonly used for logos and graphic design. PHOTOshop was originally a photo retouching software, but it has many applications. It works mainly as a raster type software which allows hand-drawn lines and complex textures. For this reason it's favored by illustrators and digital painters :)

[@SocratesAlexander]

I didn't understand one thing. I don't see any mask in any layer. So, how can you clip the brush strokes (<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="3312">55:12</a>) and the shapes(<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2309">38:29</a>) into the tinted area? (Cause obviously your shapes and brush strokes are bigger than the tinted area.)

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I create a new layer on top of the base I want to clip to, then right-click the new layer and select "create clipping mask". This clips the layer on top to the one directly beneath it :) Although it is called a clipping mask, the way Photoshop shows this is a little different than regular masks. The clipped layer appears to be a little more on the right compared to others in the layer panel, and an arrow appears pointing to the layer it's clipped to :)

[@Netts13]

I'm curious about this forum of artists that you are part of! is this a group you met through school, or elsewhere? one of my big questions right now as a newbie illustrator is where to find a supportive community/forum that I can join? fellow illustrators from different walks of life to help bounce ideas around, give/receive feedback, etc.? ps: thanks for all the great content!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

We're talking about the SVSlearn forum where we first met! I also now have a Facebook group community called the Freelance Illustrators Cafe: facebook.com/groups/freelanceillustratorscafe

[@Netts13]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess ahhh thank you!!

[@Humbledandelion]

This was awesome. But I wish u included background process that would have made it perfect...

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

It would have been a looong video!

[@Humbledandelion]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess Ok. ty for answering***

[@AmanaHB]

Is it reclmmended to use the pen tool for commercial projects? Cuz it takes forever lol I prefer freehanding it even if doesn't look as neat

[@AmanaHB]

Nevermind got the answer from the video. Also can you please do some speedpaints?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I actually don't really do speedpaint :o I love watching other artists do them, but it's not really my own way of working sadly...

[@AmanaHB]

Nessa please do you mind sharing the brush you use for shading? I looked everywhere for something similar even tried to make my own but it just didn't work lol

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I actually don't know where I got it :( It's been years and I think an ex-coworker gave it to me...

[@AmanaHB]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess that's too bad, I don't know if you can do this and sorry for asking too much but can you share the brush's abr file or a picture of the brush settings?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@AmanaHB Email me at [e-mail] ;)

[@monislimdancer1]

I look at all your videos. I am still stuck on how to make a sale sheet. How do you make yours on the computer? I know that this seams so simple but I am not so savvy and I am struggling to learn. Thank You.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Hi there! I made my sell sheet on Photoshop, but you can use any app you're comfortable with. A simple option would be Canva, which you can use online for free! They have templates that you can modify.

[@Unukadesign]

Oh man I wish I could join a zoom video illustration hehe

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

It was really fun, maybe I should host one myself sometime!

[@cherrymint4708]

HI nessa, what are you drawing with? I cant see the info. Is it a tablet pen?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Hi Cherry, thanks for stopping by! I use a large Intuos 5 Pen and Touch connected to my desktop computer :) It's a non-screen drawing tablet!

[@juliecatherinehobbs5742]

where can we find the brushes you have used please :D

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I mostly use Kyle Webster's brushes, but my main watercolor brush for the life of me I cannot remember where it's from. I think a colleague from my former game studio gave it to me years ago...

[@Everista]

how much do you charge to illustrate a 20-25 page childrens book?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I've found my true passion for surface illustration so I don't take picture book contracts anymore :) But I used to charge between 8-10k for 24 pages.

[@mahjabeenali4257]

I am a beginner artist and i use illustrator for making characters . .. is it ok to illustrator or should i shift towards photoshop to start making illustrations for children books??? Kindly guide meee🥺

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

You don't "have" top use any specific method to make characters or children's books. Photoshop is not better than Illustrator, it's all a matter of preference and what you're comfortable with. Some people even use watercolor, gouache of pastels to make their illustrations!

[@littlepinkpebble]

yeah photoshop has 3D too .. drawing in vector seems a huge pain though unless you need it poster size that would have taken 5 mins in non vector probably . .sorry if I'm being mean but vector just kills my soul it just becomes a chore to draw for me

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

That's fair enough haha! We all have our own tool preferences and vector isn't for everyone :)

[@chhodimelvines5383]

Great artists are always been lazy.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Haha aren't we all!

[@lotariosere8393]

As expert in childreen books do you characters always atrophomorfic, i mean do like a kids, the childrens look those chars and think, wow this little panda can be me.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

It's not always necessary to make the characters anthropomorphic, but they do have to be able to tell the story. Most of the time this includes showing emotions (anger, sadness, happiness) that the animal may not be able to show in real life. Sometime the manuscript also calls for actions that the animal isn't able to do in real life too. In my panda book, the manuscript called for the panda to play board games. I made him anthropomorphic to be able to accommodate that :)

[@lotariosere8393]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess yep thas true. wana go out on a date??

[@lotariosere8393]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess what about teaching about things of the life, like clean your room, wash your teeths and all those stufs?