FINAL IMAGE

Find fun in the abstract

One thing I always love to do is get lost in the abstract shapes of designing hair. I don’t always feel like it has to be super realistic to be able to fit into a painting. This piece is a great example of just having fun with hair shapes and creating a delightful flow, for the simple reason of just loving how it looks. Embrace the crazy that can come from it!

Capturing small moments

I really wanted this image to feel like a one-on-one moment with the viewers, something that felt a little more personal. It was important to me to convey this idea of you coming up to talk to her on an outside balcony, then she looks over and you both catch each others’ eyes. Those moments feel very special to me and it is something I am working on capturing better with every piece I create.

Lighting

To help define the composition and really make a piece pop visually, lighting is extremely important. Creating great hits of light in some of the most important parts of the image is a fantastic way to direct the viewers’ eyes. High contrast is a great way to do that, and then let the viewer move around the piece from there.

Mixing sci-fi and fantasy

I love creating designs that exist between both genres. I am a massive fan of both and they each have amazing motifs to be creative from. If there is a look or style that you feel drawn to, be inspired, and merge that love into your own work.

Face and anatomy

I love using reference! If the angle of the face is causing you problems, it’s great to just pop out your phone and snap a couple of pictures to get the angles right. Embrace using reference, all the professionals do, and so should you.