Just for Fun
I created this image in SketchClub using only gradient-filled shapes and a pen. Then I used iColorama to really make it pop and add an element of fun.
I opened SketchClub, and on a blank layer I started by using the Pen tool to make a quick sketch of the pose I wanted to use. I am going for fun here, so it doesn’t have to be realistic, and it doesn’t have to represent a beautifully proportioned person. I will just use this as a guide, and I will turn off this layer later, so a rough scribble is just fine. To use this layer as a guide, I will keep it at the top of the layer stack until I don’t need it anymore, so that new layers don’t obscure it.
On a new layer below the sketch layer, I made some quick rounded skin-toned shapes for the body, using the Vector tool. The shapes you see here are a bit rough because later in the process I went back to this layer and used the Vector tool to add bits where I later decided I wanted to extend the shape of a limb, and I also later used the Vector tool in erase mode to cut away bits that were extending beyond where I wanted them, based on the layers I will make for her clothes etc. This just goes to show that you don’t have to get everything right the first time around; you can always go back to earlier layers and edit them as needed.
On a new layer above the skin tone layer but below the sketch layer, I used the Vector tool to create blue shapes for her shorts.
On a new layer above the shorts layer, I used the Vector tool to create a shape for her blouse.
On a new layer just above the shorts layer, I used the Vector tool to create shapes for shadows on her shorts. I selected a blue color that was darker than the shorts. I adjusted the layer opacity to get the degree of darkness I wanted.
On a new layer above the previous layer, I used the Vector tool to create a brown shape for a belt (or perhaps you could view it as a shadowed midriff area).
On a new layer below the clothing layers and above the skin tone layer, I used the Vector tool to create shapes for shadows on her body. I selected a color that was a darker shade of her skin tone color.
On a new layer above the previous layer, I used the Vector tool to create brown shapes for her shoes.
On a new layer above the blouse layer, I used the Vector tool to create a shape for a highlight on her shoulder closest to my imagined light source, which is in the upper left corner of the canvas. I selected a yellow color that is a lighter shade than her blouse color.
Now I turned off visibility for the sketch layer.
I went to the bottom-most layer, below the skin tone layer, and used Color Fill to fill it with a red color.
On a new layer above the background color layer, I used the Vector tool to create a darker red shape for the floor.
On a new layer above the other layers, I used the Vector tool to create a fun black shape for her hair.
On a new layer just above the floor layer, I used the Vector tool to create shapes for the shadow cast by her body, keeping in mind that the imagined light source is in the upper left corner of the canvas.
Then on a new layer at the top of the layer stack, I used a pen to draw lines of different colors to emphasize some of the shapes. I also drew lines on her shoes to turn them into sneakers.
On a new layer below the hair layer, I used a pen to draw her features.
On a new layer above the previous layer, I used a pen to draw glasses on her.
On a new layer below the glasses layer, I used the Vector tool to create shapes for the glass in her glasses.
On a new layer above the previous layer, I used the Vector tool to create shapes for shadows cast by her glasses.
On a new layer above all the glasses layers, I used a pen to draw streaks of light on her glasses.
On a new layer just below the floor layer, I used the Vector tool to create shapes for shadows cast by her body onto the wall behind her. I made the on on the left side of the canvas a bit lighter than the one on the right side, because the light is coming from the top left of the canvas.
On a new layer above all the other layers, I used a large soft round brush to paint soft yellow sunbeams coming from the upper left corner of the canvas. I adjusted the layer opacity to get the amount of light I wanted. I saved the image to my camera roll.
I opened the image in iColorama. I used a preset under Adjust/Tonelab at low opacity for a bit of tonal separation. I used Effect/Glow at low opacity for some smoothness and contrast. I used Adjust/Levels for added contrast.
I used the first preset under Style/Water at medium opacity for a matte look with the texture from the watercolor paper.
I used a fun texture under Texture/Vintage at medium opacity, large size, and soft light mode.
I used Adjust/Levels again for added contrast (some steps tend to reduce contrast). I used Effect/Raise preset 1 at low to medium size. I used Effect/Sharpen preset 3 at medium opacity for a bit of sharpness. I used Preset/Border preset 1at low opacity, full blur, and high radius for a subtle border effect.
