Brushes used:

• Round Chalk Brush
• Round Chalk Pencil
• Medium Nozzle

Canvas Size:

• 3500 x 3500 pixels

Skills Learned:

• Using basic shapes to build structure: Start with simple circles and ovals for the head, body, and wings, adjusting them for a natural composition.
• Creating texture with brush techniques: Use the Round Chalk Pencil and Medium Nozzle to add a soft, painterly texture and feather-like details.
• Layering and blending colors: Apply soft gradients and highlights to add depth, using alpha lock to contain shading within the shapes.
• Adding final details with freehand strokes: Enhance the illustration with stylized feather marks, a rosy cheek, and a curved branch for a complete composition.

Brushes used:

• Basic Sketcher
• Studio Pen
• Dry Ink
• Flotastic Brush
• Round Chalk
• Smudgy Hair Brush

Canvas Size:

• 2300 x 3000 pixels

Key Skills Learned:

• Using Symmetry for Sketching: Start with a centered guide to sketch out a balanced character, then turn off drawing assist to add natural variation.
• Layering for Flat Colors: Organize colors by layering elements like hair, clothing, and accessories separately to maintain control.
• Applying Texture with Alpha Lock: Use Alpha Lock and textured brushes like the Flotastic brush to add depth, shadows, and variation to clothing and accessories.
• Detailing Facial Features: Build up soft shading, add subtle freckles, and use a mix of colors for natural-looking warmth and expression.
• Enhancing Hair with Smudging and Highlights: Create volume and movement using the Smudgy Hair Brush, layering darker and lighter shades for a dynamic look.

Brushes used:

• 6B Pencil
• Soft Brush
• Dry Ink
• Studio Pen
• Larapuna
• Gouache
• Basic Flo
• Oberon
• Ink Bleed

Canvas Size:

• 3500 x 3500 pixels

Skills Learned:

• Building a Sketch with Simple Shapes
  Start with circles and ovals to form the head and body, refining with additional features like ears, snout, and legs.
• Creating Clean Line Art
  Use the Dry Ink brush for a textured, forgiving outline, adjusting pressure for varied line thickness.
• Applying Flat Colors and Shading
  Use a separate layer for base colors, adding shadows with Multiply mode and highlights with Add mode for depth.
• Adding Painterly Textures
  Blend colors using the Larapuna brush and Smudge tool to achieve a soft, natural paint-like effect.
• Enhancing the Background
  Use artistic brushes for abstract textures, adding layers of grass and light to complete the scene.

Brushes used:

• Basic Sketcher
• Studio Pen
• Round Chalk
• Carbon Stick
• Hatcher

Canvas Size:

• 3500 x 3500 pixels

Key Skills Learned:

• Building a Balanced Sketch
  Use simple circles and rough guidelines to construct a raccoon with cartoony proportions and expressive facial features.
• Layering Base Colors with a Soft Look
  Instead of stark black and white, warm orange and brown tones create a more inviting feel, blending for natural depth.
• Adding Fur Textures for a Hand-Drawn Effect
  Use chalk and charcoal brushes to create scruffy, layered fur that gives the raccoon personality.
• Enhancing the Eyes for Expressiveness
  Large, round pupils and soft shading add depth and a lifelike sparkle to the raccoon’s gaze.
• Refining with Highlights and Whiskers
  Finishing touches, like delicate whiskers and subtle background textures, complete the illustration with a polished yet organic look.

Brushes used:

• Sassafras Brush
• Oberon Brush

Canvas Size:

• 2500 x 2500 pixels

Skills Learned:

• Using Alpha Lock for controlled shading: Alpha Lock limits your painting to the active layer’s contents, perfect for adding shadows and highlights without going outside the shape
• Layer blending modes like Multiply and Overlay: Multiply enhances shadows, while Overlay introduces subtle atmospheric effects like soft lighting or color accents
• Effective use of the Smudge Tool: Blends strokes and colors for a soft, painterly texture

Brushes used:

• Basic Sketcher
• Studio Pen
• Flotastic Brush
• Round Chalk Pencil
• Paper Mixer Brush
• Scratchy Chalk Brush
• Smudgy Hair Brush
• Soft Edge Faded
• Light Pen

Canvas Size:

• 3500 x 3500 pixels

Key Skills Learned:

• Applying base colors and building texture: Learn to use layers for each element, flat color application, and brushes like the Flotastic Brush and Round Chalk Pencil to add texture and detail to the illustration
• Adding depth with Multiply layers: Use layers set to Multiply mode for subtle shadowing and use tools like the Soft Edge Faded brush to create 3D effects
• Enhancing highlights with Add layers: Add light effects to edges and features, making the character pop by blending highlights with tools like the Paper Mixer Brush
• Creating a dreamy background and starry atmosphere: Create a complementary background using brushes, smudge tools, and adding stars and sparkles for a whimsical look

Brushes used:

• Basic Sketcher
• Monoline
• Studio Pen
• Soft Edge Faded
• Spackle it!
• Hair Textured

Canvas Size:

• 3500 x 3500 pixels

Brushes used:

• Old Brush
• Dry Brush
• Gloaming Brush
• Burnt Tree

Canvas Size:

• 2300 x 3000 pixels

Skills Learned:

• Creating expressive fur textures: Use outward strokes and varied brush sizes for a natural fur effect, highlighting areas with lighter tones for depth
• Adding painterly details with layers: Separate elements like the body, ears, and tail into distinct layers to keep work organized and editable
• Using Alpha Lock and Smudge tools: Alpha Lock refines painting within shapes, while smudge tools blend colors and textures
• Final touches with Bloom and Backgrounds
  Adding subtle bloom effects creates a gentle glow, while textured brush strokes bring the background to life

Brushes used:

• Flotastic Sketcher
• Smeary Brush
• Opaque Round Brush
• Darken Line Brush
• Lighten Line Brush
• Flo Darka Brush
• Rake Brush

Canvas Size:

• 3500 x 3500 pixels

Skills Learned:

• Sketching a foundational structure: Start with simple shapes to outline the bird’s head, body, wings, and feet
• Layering and color separation: Use separate layers for different color zones (e.g., yellow and blue areas)
• Detailing with texture and highlights: Use textured brushes and subtle highlights to make the bird’s features more vivid and painterly
• Creating a cohesive background: Use soft, minimal strokes in muted tones to complement the main subject without drawing attention away