Step-by-step: Build it up, but keep it simple!

Line of action helps me find the overall movement of the character. You can see the line that flows through the front arm for an exciting pose. Gesture helps us find the pose and orchestrate the different elements of the design like the ears or tail. Gesture is a great way to sketch out a pose. It’s not about accuracy; it’s about acting and movement.

Next, I start to find the volumes and shapes of the creature. Boxes and cylinders can help with finding the perspective of your poses. It also helps me understand which way forms are turning so I can better depict the volumes. I like to add lots of construction lines to my image – the added texture helps add some tooth to the digital drawing.

From here, I start into detail. I’m looking for where I can indicate weight. Keeping the forms flattened where they meet the ground will help it look like this creature is lying on a surface. I keep my lines heavier where there’s darker volumes and lighter toward areas that are lit up. It’s a quick way to indicate forms without a lot of rendering.