Year: 2023
Dimensions: 3300×2550
Medium: Digital Illustration
Software: Clip Studio Paint EX
Description:
This piece was created as an assignment for DPA 4020: Visual Foundations of Digital Production at Clemson University. Having developed most of my earlier illustration and life drawing work in traditional media with color added in Photoshop, my goal in this course was to strengthen my digital painting skills while exploring the full toolset of Clip Studio Paint EX.
The workflow I followed was inspired by Syd Mead’s Techniques video series from Gnomon: thumbnail sketching, value study, color study, and final polish. I began with loose blue linework for thumbnails, developed a shading pass by blocking in darks, midtones, and highlights, then introduced hue and saturation in the color study. The process concluded with final adjustments to refine values, color balance, and overall finish.
This digital illustration was created using photographic reference as a guide.