ADD MORE REALISM TO YOUR NEXT MARKER PROJECT

It makes me so sad!

A couple times a week, I read a post in some marker related sketch or coloring group

“I only work from my imagination!”

As if this is something to brag about? Let me say this as bluntly as possible… and I’m sorry for any flying shrapnel you may encounter:

The “no photo references” myth PREVENTS you from developing as an artist

Want to make coloring with depth or dimension harder?

Then don’t use a reference.

Want to make drawing and sketching harder?

Then don’t use a reference.

Enjoy struggling to select colors for every project?

Then keep on not-using photo references.

Today, let me show you how and why professional artists use references plus how to incorporate references into your coloring process.

WATCH: SIMPLE STEPS TO REALISTIC COLORING

(project supply list at end of this article)

Video not playing?

If your device blocks embedded video, click here to watch at YouTube.

TIPS FOR USING REFERENCES

1. Colorists CAN use references!

Many stampers and coloring book colorers assume they can’t use references because they’ll never find a photo to exactly match their purchased line art.

And I get it, what are the odds you’ll find a photograph of a polar bear sipping margaritas at the beach?

What you don’t realize is that professional artists have the same problem. We work from more than one photo reference because unless we go to the trouble of setting up our own photo shoots, we’ll never find all our objects in the same photo either.

In the video, I share my photo collection research process with you!

2. Realism artists do not copy photographs

I suspect the reason many colorists avoid using references is because they assume the goal is to recreate a photograph exactly.

Nope, that’s another myth.

In the video, you’ll see my references and my coloring process. They don’t match and I’ll tell you why.

LEARN MARKER + PENCIL COLORING TECHNIQUES

TECHNIQUES USED IN “CANDY CORN”

The following techniques can be spotted in the SIMPLE STEPS TO ADD REALISM video:

1. Before I pick up a marker, I google the heck out of my subject, especially if I’m about to color something I’ve never touched in real life. The more I understand how the object is shaped and what it feels like, the more accurately I can color it.

2. I do not keep lists of marker blending combinations. I invent new blends for every project based on the colors I see in at least two photo references.

3. The first thing I researched was the color of each stripe on candy corn. I wasn’t sure if the stripes were consistent from brand to brand. In the process of checking stripes, I discovered something pretty amazing about the white points which started the creative ideas flowing. Watch the video to see what happened.

TRICK OR TREAT!

Nothing says Halloween more than candy corn.

If you’re like me, your candy corn harvest goes straight into the trash… but still— I can’t deny, this stuff is so stinkin’ cute. Who wouldn’t want to color these happy little kernels?

Candy Corn is an intermediate level digital stamp, now available at my line art site, Sketch-Garden.com

PURCHASE INCLUDES FULL SUPPLY LIST FOR EACH CANDY COLOR

Watch me color candy corn in the video, then color your own using my style and supplies or develop your own unique twist.

Candy Corn digital stamp comes in two line colors: black lined version for easy coloring and disappearing gray lines for realism.

FREE PHOTO REFERENCE

I’m not an amazing photographer.

But I don’t have to be. Because we’re not trying to duplicate the photo exactly, our references don’t have to be framable art.

I snapped this quick pic with my phone, then used it as inspiration for the initial sketch and coloring the Candy Corn digital stamp featured in today’s video.

MORE AUTUMN PROJECTS

(click the pic for more info)

ADVANCED COLORING

INTERMEDIATE COLORING

WE TEST ORANGE INK

MAKE ORANGE BEAUTIFUL

UNDERPAINT ARCHIVE

SUPPLY LIST FOR “CANDY CORN”