Introduction
Welcome, digital artists and 2D animation enthusiasts! Discover the power of Blender Grease Pencil with this free, easy-to-use, and powerful tutorial. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explore the process of creating a breathtaking digital painting of a sky island, suitable for beginners, intermediate, and advanced artists alike.
Drawing the Basic Sketch
Begin by drawing the basic sketch according to your preferences. In the Grease Pencil Draw Mode, navigate to the Object Data Properties tab and select a Line Layer. Then, head to the Material Properties and choose “Solid Stroke” for drawing. Personally, I typically use the default ink pen to draw. If desired, you can modify the brush by accessing the options in the upper left corner of the canvas. This initial sketch serves as the skeleton for your drawing, and don’t hesitate to freely draw lines as you wish.
Adding Clouds
To create the illusion of a sky island, we’ll start by adding clouds using various painting techniques in Blender Grease Pencil. Set the background color to white (in this drawing it is #F9FAB) to give the impression of the island floating in the sky (world properties > color > hex > type the code). Lower the opacity of the basic sketch lines and create a new layer named “clouds.” Use the curve tool in the drawing options to sketch out the cloud shapes, and then adjust them further using the smooth tool (upper left > sculpt mode > smooth tool > redraw on targeted strokes). These artistic techniques will enhance the visual storytelling of your artwork.
Painting the Mountain
Next, let’s focus on the majestic mountain in our sky island painting and unleash your artistic expression. Use strokes and creative workflows to create the outline of the mountain. To apply colors to the mountain, add a new material (material properties > add material slot > New > tick on fill > select base color). In Blender’s vertex paint mode, you can quickly change colors without creating new materials, making it an efficient artistic process (enable the color attribute icon on the upper left > select a color). Use the fill bucket tool to fill the enclosed stroke areas. Use the sculpt mode to smooth the strokes of the mountain and create the desired effect. Use two separate layers for strokes and fill colors in each drawing. Remember to consider the light source and apply shading and other lighting effects accordingly using the draw tool while in the vertex paint mode. These artistic skills will elevate your artwork’s composition and bring your artistic vision to life.
For a more detailed explanation of each step, please refer to the following YouTube video: (However, if you are confident enough, you can continue reading the article for a more general overview of the process)
Adding Depth and Visual Interest with Gradient Materials
To add depth and visual interest to our sky island painting, we’ll utilize gradient materials, enhancing your artistic development. Create a new gradient material (material properties > Add material slot > New > deselect stroke and select fill > in style, select gradient) specifically for this drawing, showcasing your mastery of art software. Adjust the alpha value, blending mode, and other parameters to achieve the desired effect. Ensure you’re working in the material paint mode and make any necessary stroke adjustments, demonstrating your proficiency with digital art tools. Experiment with different values such as rotation, location, blend, and alpha to refine the look and create captivating gradient effects (below the gradient option). You can draw grassland and a waterfall using the gradient tool. These artistic techniques will make your artwork visually captivating and showcase your artistic inspiration.
Adding Trees and Finalizing the Composition
Finally, let’s add trees and finalize the composition, showcasing your artistic expression. In Blender Grease Pencil’s vertex paint mode, use different colors to represent the trees, displaying your artistic skills. Feel free to experiment with colors and shapes to create a vibrant and visually appealing forest, demonstrating your artistic vision. Additionally, add a small floating island with a tree to enhance the composition, highlighting your art composition skills. Embrace the sculpt mode’s creative possibilities to refine the details and bring your vision to life, showcasing your artistic development.
Congratulations!
You’ve transformed a basic sketch into a mesmerizing artwork filled with depth, color, and imagination. This step-by-step tutorial has guided you through the process of refining the sketch, adding clouds, sculpting the mountain, using gradient materials, bringing the island base to life, creating vibrant grass and a captivating waterfall, adding trees, and finalizing the composition. By incorporating various painting techniques, artistic processes, creative workflows, and digital art tools, you’ve successfully brought your artistic vision to life. Your artwork is now ready to be shared with the digital art community, inspiring others in their artistic journey.