Step-by-step: Use light and shadows to pile the stuff on

1 I tidy up the imported sketch and rough in some shapes on the horse’s back. You can add straining belts and straps holding items in place, to help show their form and weight. Consider what materials they might be made of. Large, solid metal and wood objects are usually heavy and awkward to carry. 2 Protruding objects can make a load more awkward to deal with. As I build up the colours, I add in a jousting lance. I block in colour with the Chalk tool, and lay watercolour washes for shadow to build volume and deeper tones. Diagonal shafts of light help to add to the feeling of the directional forces being applied. 3 I keep building up volume and colour. I use bold, contrasting colours that make the objects easier to understand. I darken the shadows more, redden his face and exaggerate his expression. I have his hair dishevelled. His feet are pinned flat on the floor. Finally, I add a shadow layer over him to integrate into the scene’s lighting.