PROCESS VIDEO // september sketches - part 2

Here’s the process video for my September sketch session! This is part two, which is the process for the second two pages (random characters and birds). Here’s the final result of the session: 

Some information about this process video:

• The process has been sped up by 200% - so twice the original speed. 

• This sketch session took about 2 and a half hours in total. This part took about an hour and 15 minutes. 

Here’s a quick summary of the tools I used: 

• Moleskine sketchbook - the A4 sized art sketchbook has my preference!

• Mechanical pencil - I’m using a BIC pencil with 0.7mm 2B lead. 

• Blending stump - this is the tool I use to blend and smudge the graphite! 

If you want to know more about my sketching technique, I definitely recommend checking out my tutorial on creating light & flowy sketches. This tutorial runs you through this exact workflow, with the exact same materials that I use in this process video!

VOLUMES

One of my main tools for creating volumes is the blending stump. I use that to create shadow areas that are not too dark but also not too light. In my sketching process, I often find it helpful to switch to a volume-based mode when I’m struggling with my sketch. Rather than try to detail everything right, I just grab my blending stump and try to emphasize the overall shapes with soft shading. This often helps me get un-stuck from a drawing that I’m fighting with! It was especially helpful for the bottom left sketch, which i start blending about 20 minutes in. I feel like the soft blending just does most of the heavy lifting for making the sketch look good! Switching between different ways of drawing is a great way to keep the process moving forward. 

ERASING

This part of the session featured a lot of erasing and it brought back a memory from a long, long time ago! My mom had enrolled me in an evening cartooning class at the local community center when I was 6 years old. I was by far the youngest there and the teacher gave off a really strict and intense vibe. He kept yelling about not using the eraser because it damages the paper! I remember feeling really bad about erasing after that, but now I fully embrace it because digital art has gotten the better of me. I feel like I should be able to take some steps back if I need to! Especially in the second part of this session, I erase so much that the sketch changes completely from beginning to end. It looks messy but it’s what I needed to do! Fortunately the Moleskine paper is pretty thick and can handle it :’) 

I hope you liked these process videos! ♥ As always, let me know if you have any questions about my sketching process!