Airwalking Studios

The Process of a Composition
by Airwalker
Posted 2007-07-25
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This is a broad look at how I go from an idea to a finished drawing. It involves software and a little imagination. Perhaps it will help you build a structure to creating a work, or maybe it will scare you into avoiding structure altogether. In any case, this is how I do it.

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1. Doodle an Idea.

Okay, so you're going along your day's business, and suddenly some idea hits you for a composition! What to do? What to do?

Stop, soldier! Find the nearest piece of paper and pen, and doodle it. Don't focus on the details or the proportions! Try and convey your idea on your doodle before the entire composition disappears from your head.

If you aren't an artistic prodigy, it may not look like a masterpiece yet. Oh well, this is just the idea for a future drawing.

2. Plan the Details.

Perhaps you put those important details into your original doodle. Or perhaps you come back to the doodle and decide to place several details into it.

I, however, made a second doodle after the first one. As you can see here, I made a few modifications to the pose as well.

But in this stage, you can focus on the clothes, jewelry, perhaps even the way the eyes will look, or the laces of a boot. Whatever is important for you to have in your final piece.

But, remember, things can always change when you finally start your work. So, don't get caught up here.

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3. Draw a Skeleton.

Start your sketch.

Drawing a basic skeleton is very useful in trying to get the entire composition to work together. Lay down the foundation before you start putting the chimney up.

First of all, this helps you get the composition as large as you can on whatever material is your canvas, but without going off the edge where you intend a part of it to go.

As well, it helps you get the proportions correct. Imagine drawing the perfect toes on a foot, only to realize the entire foot is too big. These glaring disproportions may stand out before you put the details into your work.

4. Sketch in the Details

So, you have that skeleton laid out just the way you want it.

Start putting the details with a pencil. Put some meat on them bones!

If something you draw doesn't look right, don't be afraid to erase it and try again, or completely go against your original doodles with your new ideas for certain details. Make sure it feels right to you.

Done? Okay. Put the drawing down, and come back to it another time--give it an hour or a day. Come back and see if you still like what you've done. Maybe when you were focused, something really looked better than it really does as you glance at the picture with a fresh mind.

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5. Linework

Do you feel your sketch looks too pencil-y?

You can take a new sheet of paper, and go to a lightbox or a window, and carefully ink your work for your final composition.

Or, if you choose to do things digitally, you can use programs like Flash, Photoshop, or free software like GIMP.

I inked my artwork using Flash. You can see a tutorial on that method here.

6. Color or Texture

Using whatever method you intended, add a splotch of color. Or perhaps you'll make your work black and white? Or you'll cover it in gradients like a manga? It's your choice--however your composition looks best to you.

I imported my line-art from Flash and put it in Photoshop. I colored it using a method I'll be sure to post later!

However, you could just as easily print out your line-art, or use the line-art you drew by hand and color it with water colors, paints, pastels, crayons, colored pencils. However you want it to look.

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Your methods are up to you. If you feel you have something better, or just something that works better for you, be sure to discuss it with us on our forum! Maybe you can add your own method as a tutorial here.