How To Photoshop Like A Pro
Before you read this you must understand that I don't use Photoshop I am terrible with computers so this has nothing to do with computers, you probably don't want to try this technique.
First of all this only combines images you don't blend them etc, that is done when you draw it, you need your background image so for this one I will use a skate park in London, the embankment and what I like to call the elements (what is in the foreground a skateboard and an Armadillo.
First I cut out the elements and then simply blutac them to the background I stick it on the light-box and I'm done simple as that
The results of this Photoshop can be seen in my Spare Time Work with a bit of background about why I am drawing something so weird.
How I Copy My Magazines
The way I copy my magazines seem to be convoluted but works well for me so I thought I would share it with all who care to read. First of all you need to remember that this isn't necessarily the right way to do it, it's my way to do it, you may want to learn and then struggle or you might be a full time artist who thinks I'm an idiot, that is why I'm reluctant to call this a tutorial, its more of a documentation with some tips.
Next on the agenda come the appalling image system on blogger and I am sorry for the ridiculous image placement.
First of all gather your equipment, good drawing paper, I happen to have two sketchbooks lying around. You need the Image you are going to copy preferably one in black and white and one in colour.
This is not essential but I use a bright desk lamp to get some strong directional lighting, I use Derwent pencils in a wide range F to 9B, along with these you need a sharpener and a rubber I use a Derwent electric rubber, (bottom left) which is very good at making
small highlights.
Next you need masking tape and finally a light box, this item is very subjective you can use anything that does the same thing like a window. My light-box was supposed to slip between the pages of a book but there were many complications I may write about at a later date.
The Tracing
The next step is the tracing, first tape the black and white copy onto the back of the page you are using so the blank side faces out like so, the page I am sticking on is quite hard to see sorry about that. once you have
done this it is time to move onto the light-box
For a window you would need to use masking take to stick the page to the window likewise for a normal light-box, mine is slightly different. The light-box lies flat with the cage you are tracing on top, it is about the thickness of the sketchbook without the glass but with the glass you will need to prop it up with a book or two thank you Terry Pratchet
Turn on your light-box or window and simply trace around where you can see changes in shade even if it is gradual, do this very lightly, for this I use an F pencil, remember to treat whatever you are drawing as a shape or line not a person or object, from this point onwards. Try to trace in one session and remove the masking tape as soon as possible so it doesn't take the paper with it.
Once you finish that you should get this effect, this is only a guideline
when you start to draw without the light-box you will inevitably make changes, remember you have some degree of artistic licence I think it's an interpretation, if it was exact why not have a photo.The Detail
Next start picking out the dark bits with a dark pencil, I used my 8B for this most people would probably do this the other way around picking highlights first, then you get something like this. I am sorry about the
bad picture but you get the general idea.
The next step is to take to lighter pencils I used 6B and 4B and start blending into the other sections, around this point I usually start to get a bit bored of block shading so I take a break or start doing a bit
of detail like I have done here on the head by blending the traced sections or dividing them by a sharp line, you can see this is different to the final picture, this head gave me a lot of trouble and I spent while perfecting it.
Another part that gave me a lot of trouble was the tinsel bits I resolved this by adding in another section that I didn't shade at all creating highlights, this is an example of making an interpretation and not a photographic copy.
By continuing to blend and adjust lines I build up a picture, the final result can be seen tomorrow on the new page I will make for it.
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Remember to contact me in the comments or by email if you have any questions munchegod@hotmail.co.uk
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DIY Light-box
After the first day I knew a window wouldn't cut it
I present the hastily home-made made light-box
A big thanks to IKEA
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