Landscape illustrations with complex colors - How to draw linear illustrations of landscapes from scratch? Let’s take a look at the master’s summary of design ideas!

How do you draw illustrations with colorful colors and complex lines?

In this way, the background color will spread out to avoid accidentally smearing it. The recommended coloring order is that the penetrating ability is relatively strong so that the color contrast will not be garish. If the color blocks are clearly distinguished, the color blocks will appear messy. This kind of painting takes some time, and you can add local color after it dries. So when coloring, try to leave other colors as white as possible. The general steps can be as follows. If there is no ocher red background. Adjust the colors to be used in advance, and use translucent copy paper to trace accurate lines from the center to the surroundings. From left to right, the coloring has the style of New Year pictures, because the background sets the tone.

The biggest feature of this painting is the clear layers, with small color blocks colored from top to bottom. It depends on how big the format is, and that is a matter of skill. When everything is dry in the end, you can draw a black border. There is a layered relationship here. In addition, if colors like blue, purple, and red are covered with other colors. If it is 8k paper, and then trace it onto the drawing paper, he will trace black edges in some places to neutralize the color. When coloring, be careful not to overlay the colors. Start with a basic large-toned background color, considering that this picture has a large area of ??background color. It can be painted with gouache. Then it's time to color. Gradient colors can render two colors with a little more moisture to create an effect. Generally speaking, if the pencil sketch is messy, it will be rich in color but not messy. The first step is to design the pencil sketch and tracing pen, and also need several brushes with different tip thicknesses. It will take students about a week or even longer to draw by hand. At this time, What appears on the drawing paper are pattern outlines and pen marks. The interspersing relationship must be done well because you have painted the background. How to draw a linear illustration landscape from scratch? Let’s take a look at the master’s summary of design ideas!

If you keep studying lines, you will find that in addition to expressing the iconic individuals we see in our daily lives, lines can also express larger and more complex landscapes. However, the latter will be somewhat difficult, especially if the lines are relatively thick, especially when it is difficult to better display details (for example, to express clouds or catkins floating in the sky, etc.). At that time, I was a little stuck on this idea and made no progress.

Two days later, I suddenly had inspiration out of thin air and thought of the path of "simplification". Try a simplified approach that may seem crude but take you to a new level. I think we don’t just create landscaping, but convey the view. Therefore, the scenery unfolds step by step using a combination of lines and color blocks.

Source of inspiration

So I came up with this group of works called The Great Thousand Mirrors. This group of works is created based on the thick line scenery, and the key expression is "color". (gradient combination).

Tips:

This operation focuses on the process of design thinking and does not involve the specific detailed operation of the software. If you are unfamiliar with software operation, you can move here to take a look at this A simple video to quickly get started with AI.

△Four ways to obtain shapes: spelling, subtraction, cutting, and painting

Reference photos are not the same as copying photos

The drawing of exterior scenes requires very generalization . Since our plan here is to draw the scenery in a small round rectangular frame, the space is actually very limited. Therefore, the setting of lines will tend to be simple.

Simplification is a very important idea, and you can start studying it with photos. Of course, when I was creating, I didn’t just draw on one photo, but combined multiple photos for reference.

Refer to the layout, composition, and perspective in the photos and refine the most basic shapes.

If you are interested, you can watch the following video:

△Where does inspiration come from? Some tips on referring to photos

Building basic lines

If the details are not cumbersome, a simplified pattern can be expressed using a grid. Of course this depends on your habits.

STEP01

Open AI and create a new 1600*1600px document. Draw a rounded rectangle in this document, and then plan the layout within this rounded rectangle. First, use a few lines to outline the largest basic shape.

The outer frame line is 30px, while the inner line can be slightly reduced to 25px, and even thinner can be 20px.

The principle of setting the thickness of lines is to make them follow a certain rhythm, for example, they are all multiples of 5.

Patterns build up the whole picture like building blocks.

STEP02

Continue to use the logic of building blocks to fill the picture of the building complex on the left. At this time, we must learn to think beyond the "technical" level. This has been repeatedly emphasized to students in my teaching experience: we are not learning how to draw this object. For example, here we are drawing a small town scenery. What we learn is the creative thinking behind it.

Here I quote Feng Zikai’s original words from the book "Understanding Painting":

"Pictures are just like mathematics and sports. Life does not necessarily involve drawing apples, Bananas, vases, and teapots are just used to train people's eyes to be correct and sensitive, true and beautiful."

It is used here to draw small towns and buildings. process to train your ability in line modeling. This ability is demonstrated by not only conforming to the shape of the building, but also making it look beautiful and natural.

STEP03

To continue, we will optimize our shape again. There are two aspects to pay attention to when optimizing the shape:

Whether the shape connection is closed

Whether the overall shape is uniform

These are two directions, macro and micro. Then adjust the addition and deletion shapes appropriately.

STEP04

Adding details is generally the last step of the framework work. At this time, we have to switch to another angle: at first, we regarded the role of lines as establishing outlines. At this time, we need to use lines as the role of describing details. For example, if we use an apple as an example below, you will be able to understand. The two functions of line: outlining and depicting can be reflected here.

So the details added here (windows, doors, waves, seabirds, etc.) all play the role of line depiction.

At this point our outline is complete. At this point you can expand their appearance.

In many LOGO designs, this step can actually come to an end, because most flat-style LOGOs only need an outline, and the color can be a random monochrome.

Color Frame

Establishing a color frame is actually to find an angle from which to observe color. Use the relationship between two colors to evolve into a color array. In the video below you can learn more about color arrays.

△Color Array: Color Framework Diagram for Beginners

STEP01

Based on the above theory, I obtained this color array. Our color starts here. The main color was blue (inspired by our photos), with secondary colors pink and mint green.

STEP02

Of course, the role of the color array is not to allow us to use all colors, but to simplify and simplify based on the actual situation. Experiment with key colors to find the best combination.

Use the shape generator tool to color and distribute the main color.

STEP03

Continue to use the last color mint green. At this time, everyone should pay attention to the subtle changes in color. When a single color appears, everything looks perfect. Once added The situation starts to get complicated with the second color.

This is the same as our daily life. When we are alone, everything is fine, and interpersonal relationships will appear between two people. The complicated relationship that makes people both headache and happy brings more vitality and ups and downs.

We see that although we use secondary colors, we also bring more color changes to some color blocks, which can be easily achieved with the color array.

STEP04

The third color is red, which we can continue to use in graphics.

STEP05

The main colors are controlled at three types, and the remaining colors can continue to be fine-tuned based on the existing colors, such as adjusting the brightness or saturation of the color to obtain more Subtle changes.

Note the use of white here.

Gradient of light and shadow

Because of the light, we have to see different colors. Based on this truth, if you want to obtain a richer sense of light, gradient is also a very important coloring element.

STEP1

Before applying gradient, my suggestion is to do a good job of flat painting first. Flat painting is to establish the overall color balance, and then fine-tune it according to the light conditions.

And for gradients, we need to exercise restraint. We only need to select one of the colors, and then make fine adjustments within a relatively narrow range of this color. For example, here we use a gradient on red to make some subtle changes in red.

STEP2

Then add shadows to the building. The appearance of the shadows is arranged according to the principle of "beautiful and true". Many people here may ask what the principle of "beauty and truth" is. The following is also a description from Feng Zikai's "Understanding Painting":

Pictures have both appreciation and practical effects. Appreciation is beautiful, and practicality is real. Therefore, drawing practice must take into account the two conditions of "truth" and "beauty". Specifically: For example, when tracing a vase of flowers, you must carefully observe the shape, size, direction, and color of the flowers, leaves, and vase to avoid making mistakes. This is the "real" aspect. At the same time, it must be coordinated and arranged skillfully to make it appropriate. This is the time for "beauty".

After understanding this principle, you can test the balance between these two elements of the picture during practice.

There are three points to note when making shadows:

Find the light source

The configuration of the shadow color

It does not have to be completely realistic

These three points can be demonstrated to you in detail in the following video:

△Three-step technique for adding shadows in line illustrations

The completed effect is as follows:

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Dot Highlights

In the last step of creation, here we add a small detail, which is also the finishing touch that suddenly came to mind, adding dot highlights to the picture.

STEP1

In plane composition, a point can be a dot or a small square. In this picture, we use small white squares to create the highlight part of the picture.

Adding dot-like highlights to the picture will make the picture more lively.

Final effect:

Postscript: The idea behind it

Writing this article, I compiled three videos, which may give beginners more information through the videos. Inspire. I have been torn between making videos or writing articles before. I originally thought that articles and videos would be the best way. Each one should take what they need. But later during the operation, it was discovered that the two roads could not run in parallel. I can only intersperse more parts that I think are worth expanding into the article.

The video supplements the article, and the article supplements the video. Although everyone now says that they don’t have time to read text, and videos are more direct, I always feel that it is easier to query and record what I study with concentration in text. Neither videos nor articles can replace each other.

60 simple drawing tutorials of beautiful landscapes, easy to draw with just a few strokes! You can get started even with zero basic experience

It’s time to have a happy weekend again

If you like to draw, what are your plans?

Do you want to prepare?

A notebook and a pen

Carry out

a simple sketching journey

What about?

Sometimes it is not necessary What complicated strokes

With just a few strokes, you can quickly draw the scenery along the way

For example, like this

While camping in the wild at night

Pitch a tent and light a fire

Feel the silence of the countryside

There are sunrises, trees, and rivers

Driving through the countryside at night

Do you remember this kind of scenery?

Have you ever imagined owning an RV?

You can hold a lot of things in it

I sleep wherever I go with it

Every time I travel by car

Looking at the mountains and woods passing by outside the window is very pleasant...

I believe it Everyone has their own poetry and distance that they yearn for

There is always one in body and soul

Thinking about setting out on the road

Whether it is body or soul

When you encounter these beautiful scenery

just record it with a brush~

And the author of these simple drawings

is also a A person who loves traveling

He is an illustrator:

David Rollyn Powell

He is from

the United States

Usually he In addition to drawing illustrations

his main job is to design outdoor wall paintings and prints

After creating these minimalist landscape simple paintings

he will They are painted on the wall

They are used as decoration and as guideposts

Every time after working outdoors

David Rollyn Powell will relax himself physically and mentally. Take a vacation

Go camping or do some exciting projects

Like rock climbing, boating and rafting, etc.

He thinks traveling is very interesting and can not only release

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It can also increase your creative inspiration

So, after getting tired from playing

David Rollyn Powell often sits on the floor

Using a paintbrush to paint what he sees along the way. Record it

Sometimes he would take it with his camera before he could draw it

Describe it carefully

This is the scenery photographed by David Rollyn Powell

and the created scenes

The tools David Rollyn Powell uses for painting are very simple

Pencils, stylus pens and markers

His advice to beginners is

Before starting to draw, you can first use a simple sketch

and then use a needle pen or marker to draw

Finally choose whether to color

Although these landscape paintings by David Rollyn Powell are simple

but they still have the length of field of view, depth and sense of space

When painting close-up scenes, he will enlarge things

When painting a distant scene, it will be appropriately reduced

so that people can distinguish the field of view and space

These are simple simple landscape paintings

David Rollyn Powell also Print them on clothes and daily necessities

They are loved and snapped up by many people

In addition to scenery, some common small objects and animals

Through DavidRollynPowell's design

It has also become simple and stylish

Okay, after admiring these simple works of DavidRollynPowell

Next, I’ll teach you how

Step by step

Draw these simple landscape paintings step by step

Beautiful seascape

Drawing steps

1. First draw the triangular stones under the tree and then draw the entire coconut tree

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2. After drawing the coconut trees, draw the hills in the distance, the waves and the three boats on the sea

3. Add the waves, draw the wild geese in the sky, and finally color it and it is complete

Beautiful lighthouse

Drawing steps

1. Draw the half-arc mountain, the tower on the mountain, and the green trees next to the tower

2. Then draw the forest behind the tower and the sea level in front. When drawing, everyone should pay attention to their relationship

3. Draw the wild geese in the sky and the sailboat on the sea, and finally color it and it is completed

Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms

Drawing steps

1. Draw the crater first, then draw the jungle under the volcano

2. Draw Cherry blossoms under the volcano, beautiful sea level, and white clouds in the sky

3. Add ripples to the sea surface, and finally color the whole body

Meandering creek

Drawing steps

1. Draw two curves as the river, and then draw the small trees on both sides of the river

2. Then draw the mountains and white clouds in the distance, and then decorate the grass with dots

3. Draw stones and ripples, and finally paint them to complete

Did you find out?

These painting steps are all from the distance between us Let’s start

and then draw the things above and below them

In fact, everyone has different drawing habits

You can also draw them in order according to your own preferences

Golden Wheat Field

Painting Steps

Little House

Painting Steps

Waterfall

Painting Steps

Okay, I have learned so many steps to draw simple landscapes

I believe everyone must have learned it

Then relax yourself this weekend

Go out and paint~