Woman WIP - Outlines and Gradients
- GenreChowderStudios
- Apr 10, 2018
- 2 min read
Marching ants~
The background looked too blank the way I'd left it before. That being said, I didn't want it to be too complicated. A nice circle with some texturing would suffice.
OR WOULD IT?!?!?!
Defining her outer shape would really add to the visual interest. Really make her pop. Fortunately, the clippy mask gave me easy access to her perimeter. I selected her and drew a stroke outside the selection bounds in the same color as the solid pastel pink in the far back. For doubly added interest, I let the necklace fly freely.
I've on and off watched the YouTube channel DrawingWiffWaffles for some time. One technique she uses in her digital pieces is that of gradients. Not the kind that would make your eyes water. The kind that gives just that subtle little bit of detail. Just that little touch of sophistication. I tried out the technique to see how it would work on such a different style. You can see the process above: before, the full strength gradient, and how it looks after it's been dialed back.
I don't imagine I'd use it that much. I'm not that big a fan of gradients. But I like the result here. I don't just have to deal with the shadow and the flat color. With the gradient, there are enough changes to keep the flat color of the skirt from being droll without making it so complex it traps you eyes.
The same effect was used here. Said effect, however, is a bit less noticeable that its pinkish counterpart, and here's why. In addition to adding more visual interest, the more saturated skirt is part of the visual frame. The top of her hair and the bottom of her skirt sort of bracket her off, make her seem she has a more complete top and bottom. The green gradient is mostly a continuation of style to make the elements more unified.
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