Part 3: Line Weight
This is the third lesson in the Learn to Sketch series! In this third lesson we’ll focus on line weight. How can you add variety to the line weight in your sketches and drawings and where should the light and heavy lines be? We’ll practice adding line weight variation by sketching organic shapes like branches and rocks.
Skills Learned:
- Understanding Line Weight: Learning the significance of line weight in sketches. It’s all about the boldness or thinness of your lines, which can add depth and interest to your drawings
- Practicing with Organic Shapes: Through exercises with rocks and branches, you’ll started to see how varying line weight can bring these natural forms to life
- Incorporating Light and Shadow: We’ll explore how line weight can be used to depict lighting conditions, with thinner lines where the light hits and thicker, bolder lines in shadowed areas
- Considering Distance and Gravity: The tutorial teaches you to use thinner lines for distant objects and thicker lines for closer ones, and how gravity affects the perceived weight of objects through line weight
- Adding Texture and Detail: By sketching rocks and branches, you’ll learn to add texture and detail to your sketches, making them more realistic and visually appealing
Part 2: Measuring
This is the second lesson in the Learn to Sketch series! In this second lesson we’ll focus on measuring. What and how can you measure? We’ll look at some images and think about how to measure and compare lengths, angles and more. I’ll tell you how I look at things and turn them into sketches.
Skills Learned:
- Measuring Techniques: Learn to accurately measure dimensions in your sketches, such as lengths and angles, without relying on tools
- Comparison Skills: Develop an eye for comparing different elements in a drawing, like the angles of shapes and distances between objects
- Understanding Negative Space: Gain insights into identifying and utilizing the negative space in your sketches
- Building Observation Skills: Improve your observational skills, crucial for sketching from life or reference images effectively
Painting Clouds
This is the start of Flo’s Fundamentals! In this series I’ll be showing different fundamental subjects. Pieces of the puzzle you can use in your digital paintings. In this first class we’ll be covering clouds!
In the first part of the video, I’ll talk about the theory. How can we observe clouds? What are characteristics of clouds and what do we need to keep in mind when painting them?
In the second part of the video, I’ll be doing a demonstration and show you how I approach painting clouds. I’ve attached the reference image I have used for this demonstration. I have found it on Pinterest. You can browse Pinterest to find loads of lovely photos of clouds. You can find my board full of clouds here: https://nl.pinterest.com/artwithflo/clouds/
Skills Learned:
- Observing Cloud Characteristics: Understanding edges, transitions, and the importance of crisp versus smooth gradients
- Lighting and Volume: Learning how to depict lighting based on the cloud’s 3D shape and the direction of light
- Color Variation: Moving beyond the typical whites and grays, incorporating varied colors to reflect different weather conditions and times of the day
- Layering and Blending: Techniques for creating a base layer, adding lighter parts, refining shapes, and blending for realism
Part 1: Sketching Essentials
This is the first lesson in the Learn to Sketch series! In this first lesson we’ll start with the basics – Geometric Shapes! We’ll also discuss why you would want to sketch and how to improve your sketching skills.
Skills Learned:
- Basic Shape Recognition: Understand how to break down complex objects into simple shapes like circles, squares, and triangles
- Observational Skills: Develop your ability to observe and replicate shapes in everyday objects, enhancing your sketching accuracy
- Sketching Techniques: Learn various sketching methods, from quick thumbnail sketches to detailed studies, improving your overall technique
- Understanding Volume and Depth: Gain insight into creating volume in your sketches by studying cylinders and other 3D shapes
- Daily Sketching Practice: Embrace the habit of daily sketching to steadily improve your drawing and observational skills
Owl
In this intermediate to advanced tutorial we will bring a charming owl to life, perfect for capturing the essence of autumn with its warm tones. This tutorial is more than just a guide to painting an owl; it’s a journey through the ups and downs of the creative process. Remember that art is not just about the final piece; it’s about the journey of creation, the joy of experimenting, and the satisfaction of overcoming challenges. Happy painting!
Brushes used:
- Chalk Pencil
- Soft Brush
- Basic Flo Brush
- Darken Line Brush
- Lighten Line Brush
- Multiply Brush
- Overlay Brush
- Grungy Stone
- Cracking Up
Canvas Size:
- 3000 x 2000 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Strategic Layering: Master layering, starting from a blurry background to the detailed foreground
- Effective Sketching: Develop your sketching skills with the Chalk Pencil, focusing on basic structures and proportions
- Color Blending and Variation: Enhance your understanding of color by creating a dynamic base and adding nuanced variations
- Detailing Techniques: Develop your ability to add intricate details and textures, especially to the owl’s features
- Resilience in Art: Learn the importance of perseverance through artistic challenges
Macaw
I’m thrilled to paint a stunning parrot together in Procreate! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this tutorial is designed to be fun, engaging, and rewarding. And don’t worry if this tutorial looks challenging, I will be guiding you through all the steps, from sketch to finished painting.
This Procreate tutorial isn’t just about learning to paint a parrot; it’s about immersing yourself in the joy of digital painting, exploring colors, and unleashing your creativity. I can’t wait to see the beautiful, colorful parrots you create. Let’s make some art and have a blast doing it!
Brushes used:
- Sketch it
- Soft Brush
- Basic Flo
- Darken Line
- Lighten Line
- Overlay Brush
- Multiply Brush
- All-Around Hair
Canvas Size:
- 4000 x 3000 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Efficient Sketching: We’ll start with a basic outline, capturing the essence of our parrot, and then refine it for more detail
- Color Blocking Mastery: Learn to lay down those vibrant base colors, the perfect base for our painting
- Detailed Feather Work: I’ll show you how to use various brushes to create realistic and dynamic feathers
- Play of Light and Shadow: Together, we’ll add depth and life to our parrot through lighting and shading
- Blending for Realism: Discover the art of blending colors smoothly to achieve a natural, soft look
Black Dog
During this Procreate tutorial we’ll be painting a gorgeous black dog portrait. I love bringing animals to life on canvas, so I can’t wait to walk you through every step of this process.
I designed this tutorial keeping in mind both beginners and seasoned artists. You’ll not only learn to paint a dog but also understand the nuances of capturing the essence of black fur, the interplay of light and shadow, and the importance of patience and observation in digital painting.
Brushes used:
- Sketch it
- Soft Short Fur
- Basic Flo
- Overlay Brush
- Standard Blender
- All-Round Hair Brush
- Darken Line
- Lighten Line
- Multiply Brush
Canvas Size:
- 3600 x 4500 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Mastering Fur Brushes: Learn how to adjust settings like azimuth and follow stroke for realistic fur textures
- Sketching Techniques: Discover how to sketch the dog, focusing on simple shapes, angles, and proportions.
- Layering Colors: Understand the importance of using different shades, including grays, blacks, and subtle colors, to add depth and realism to black fur
- Eye Detailing: Gain insights into creating expressive and soulful eyes that bring the portrait to life
- Texture and Contrast Enhancement: Enhance fur textures and contrast using Procreate’s layer modes like Multiply and Screen.
Turtle
I’m excited to guide you through this Procreate tutorial where we’ll create a beautiful underwater scene with a cute sea turtle. This one’s a bit advanced, but I know you’re up for the challenge.
We’ll begin with a rough sketch, layering in the colors and slowly building up the details. I’ll share tips on creating a balanced composition and how to use different brushes to achieve various effects.
You’ll learn how to make the turtle pop with warm colors against the cool underwater background. I’ll also show you how to add subtle details that make a big difference, like the light reflecting on the turtle’s shell.
Remember, the key is to relax and enjoy the process. There’s no rush – take your time to add those little details. I can’t wait to see your versions of this sea turtle. Dive in, experiment, and most importantly, have fun with it!
Brushes used:
- Sketch it
- Basic Flo
- Overlay Brush
- Darken Line
- Lighten Line
- Standard Blender
Canvas Size:
- 3500 x 3500 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Combining Multiple References: I’ll show you how to blend different elements from various photo references to create a unique scene
- Effective Layer Management: Learn how to organize your layers for the turtle and background separately for more control
- Mastering Color Composition: We’ll start with basic colors and gradually build up, focusing on creating a harmonious balance
- Detailing and Texturing: I’ll guide you through adding textures and details to the turtle, making it the star of our artwork
- Playing with Light and Shadow: We’ll use advanced techniques like layer blending modes to bring out the realism in the turtle’s shell
Black and White Portrait
Are you ready to level up your portrait painting skills? I’ve got just the thing for you – in this Procreate tutorial I will guide you through the exciting process of creating a lifelike portrait with realistic textures and tones!
In this tutorial, I’ll take you step by step, starting from a basic sketch using the versatile Chalk Pencil Brush, all the way to adding those final details that make your portrait pop.
Brushes used:
- Chalk Pencil
- Block-in Brush
- Charcoal Brush
- Standard Blender
- Basic Flo Brush
- Darken Line Brush
- Lighten Line Brush
- Freckles Brush
- Skin Spots Brush
- Smudge Hair Brush
Canvas Size:
- 3500 x 3500 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Sketching Techniques: Learn to measure and sketch using the Chalk Pencil Brush, focusing on facial anatomy and negative spaces to get the right proportions
- Value Blocking: Start with black and white to understand the importance of values in a portrait, using the Block In Brush for laying down tones without getting lost in details.
- Blending and Smudging: Use the Standard Blender for blending and creating soft transitions, crucial for realistic skin textures.
- Detailing and Texture: Add fine details and textures gradually, enhancing features like eyelashes, skin texture, and freckles using a combination of Darken and Lighten Line Brushes.
- Final Touches and Adjustments: Employ techniques for tweaking shadows, highlights, and contrast to bring depth and life to the portrait. Learn to manage edges and transitions for a realistic look