PROCESS VIDEO // wave - 01

I decided to put together a process video of the waves paintings I did last week! I use a wide variety of techniques in these, which is why I figured these might be interesting to share. I made a separate video for each one, so the second part is coming up soon!

I have a step-by-step resource on drawing waves that I made a long time ago. This process is a bit more painterly than that one, but in terms of establishing the shape and layering detail gradually, it’s very similar! 

Some information about this process video:

• The process has been sped up by 200% - so a twice the original speed.
• This painting took me about 1.5 hours to make.
• I used a mix of brushes for this one.
  • I used the Macalabs pencil brush to sketch the initial lines: http://cbr.sh/fg8up?ref=loish
  • I used the hard round brush from my own set to blend, as well as the chalky brush to sometimes create foam effects and texture- https://loish.net/free-goodie-bag-for-digital-artists.

SKETCHING

I start by sketching a few different waves, in order to warm up and try to ‘feel the energy’ of the reference images. My goal isn’t to create an accurate study of the wave, but rather to make a kind of dramatic and stylized interpretation of it with a lot of energy. So it really helps to sketch loosely! Lately I also try to give myself more time to ease into a study and to do a bunch of sketches that I know I won’t finalize, just to warm up and get used to the subject matter. That’s why I don’t spend too long on this phase!

ROUGH COLOR

I start by blocking in the different elements on separate layers, but quickly change course because I feel like the drawing was getting too clean and defined, which is the opposite of what I wanted to capture. So I get rid of what I had at 3:58 minutes and start over with a different approach: picking a vibrant base color (in this case, turquoise) and using a soft brush to layer colors on top of that. This allows some of that base color to show through in the painting which gives it a bit of a glow. For this phase, the hard round brush is so helpful - it’s nice for blending and creating soft brush strokes as well as adding more detailed edges.

GRADUAL DETAIL

I’ve found that for paintings that feature natural elements and textures, it really helps to slowly build the detail. I always feel like the painting looks awful about halfway through the process. Once I zoom in and start adding those finishing touch details, it finally comes together. In this process video, I feel like that happens about 29 minutes in, when I start working out the details of the foam and adding some smaller foam details to the base of the wave. Processes like these are always a reminder that it’s the balance between the bigger details and the finer, smaller details that really bring a painting to life!

FINAL TOUCHES

The crucial finishing touch is the foam texture. For this wave, I add those by taking the chalky brush from my free brush set and lowering the flow to around 5%. That creates some nice grainy texture. I draw this on a separate layer and then select some areas with the feathered lasso tool, and then create a motion blur along the edge. This creates a lot of movement and energy. I think any textured brush can do the trick for an effect like this, but combining it with motion blur is what really adds the movement to it!

Hope you enjoyed this video! The next one is coming right up.