Master the Art of Drawing Backgrounds with ibisPaint

Master the Art of Drawing Backgrounds with ibisPaint

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Perspectives in Drawing 2.1 Eye Level 2.2 Vanishing Points 2.3 Perspective Lines
3. Drawing the Background: A Natural Landscape 3.1 Dividing the Image into Two Halves 3.2 Drawing the Ground 3.3 Organizing Layers
4. Drawing the Grassland 4.1 Adding Grass and Adjusting Shape 4.2 Adding Depth and Variation 4.3 Painting the Grassland
5. Creating a Sense of Distance with Aerial Perspective 5.1 Explaining Aerial Perspective 5.2 Drawing the Mountains 5.3 Adding Shadows and Highlights
6. Drawing the Sky and Clouds 6.1 Creating a Sky Gradient 6.2 Drawing the Base of the Clouds 6.3 Adding Texture and Shadows
7. Final Touches: Adjusting Colors and Overall Look 7.1 Using Filters to Adjust Color
8. Conclusion

Article:

How to Draw the Background: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating a Natural Landscape

Introduction

In the world of art and illustration, drawing the background is just as important as drawing the main subjects. It sets the stage, provides a sense of depth, and creates a captivating visual experience for the viewer. In this guide, we will explore the step-by-step process of drawing a natural landscape background, including sky, mountains, and grassland. By understanding perspectives, utilizing techniques such as aerial perspective, and paying Attention to details, You'll be able to Create stunning backgrounds that bring your artwork to life.

Understanding Perspectives in Drawing

Before we dive into the actual process of drawing a natural landscape, it's crucial to understand the concept of perspectives. Perspectives play a significant role in creating depth and realism in your artwork. Let's explore some key elements of perspectives:

Eye Level

The eye level determines the viewer's perspective in the drawing. It acts as a reference point and helps create a sense of depth and distance. Understanding the eye level will allow you to accurately position objects in your background.

Vanishing Points

Vanishing points are essential in creating a believable three-dimensional space. They are the points where Parallel lines seem to converge in the distance. By using vanishing points, you can draw objects with accurate proportions and achieve a realistic perspective.

Perspective Lines

Perspective lines are guiding lines that help create depth and establish the Spatial relationships between objects in your drawing. By using perspective lines, you can accurately position and arrange elements in your background.

Drawing the Background: A Natural Landscape

Now that we have a basic understanding of perspectives let's dive into the step-by-step process of drawing a natural landscape background. We will start by dividing the image into two halves, drawing the ground, and organizing layers for better control.

Dividing the Image into Two Halves

To create a visually pleasing composition, it's crucial to divide the image into two halves – the sky and the land. This division will provide a clear distinction between the two elements and help create a balanced composition.

Drawing the Ground

Start by selecting a light color for the grassland. Using the "Rectangle Drawing tool" and the "Fill" option, paint the grassland in one stroke. Keep in mind the perspective – draw the grass smaller on the Eye Level side and bigger on the front side. Add bends and curves to make the grassland look natural. Adjust the Shape of the ground using the "Perspective Form command" and ensure that it blends seamlessly with the rest of the drawing.

Organizing Layers

To maintain a structured workflow, it's essential to organize layers in your drawing. Create folders to categorize different elements, such as the ground, grass, sky, mountains, and clouds. This way, you'll have better control over each element and make adjustments more efficiently.

Drawing the Grassland

The grassland is an essential part of a natural landscape. Here's a step-by-step guide on drawing and painting the grassland to achieve a realistic and visually appealing look.

Adding Grass and Adjusting Shape

Start by drawing the grass along the edges of the path. Use the Eraser tool with the Pencil (Graphite) brush to create sprouting grass and add variation. Draw the grass bigger when it's closer and smaller when it's farther away. Mix short and long strokes to create a natural-looking grass texture. Leave gaps in some spots to avoid a uniformly filled grassland.

Adding Depth and Variation

To add depth to the grassland, create a new layer and set it to "Clipping." Use the Airbrush (Trapezoid 20%) brush to gradate the far side with less saturated colors. Use a deeper color for the front side to create a contrasting effect. Consider using the Watercolor (Real) brush to add variation and make the grass Blend in with the background. Adjust the overall color of the grassland by lowering the opacity of the layer.

Painting the Grassland

Create another layer with "Clipping" on and select "Add" from the "Blend Mode" list. Paint the grassland with a slightly lighter color to depict the farther regions. Enhance the grassland by adding highlights using the Pencil (Graphite) brush. Think of painting silhouettes rather than drawing each blade of grass precisely. To ensure that the grass doesn't stand out too much, paint over it with a deeper color using the Watercolor (Real) brush. Make further adjustments to the overall color and blend the elements seamlessly.

Creating a Sense of Distance with Aerial Perspective

Aerial perspective is a powerful technique for creating a sense of depth and distance in outdoor scenes. By understanding how distant objects appear in the atmosphere, you can effectively convey a realistic sense of vastness. Let's explore how to use aerial perspective when drawing mountains in the background.

Explaining Aerial Perspective

Aerial perspective is the phenomenon where distant objects appear bluer and paler due to the impurities in the atmosphere, such as Water vapor. By incorporating this technique, you can differentiate between objects at different distances and create a more believable sense of depth.

Drawing the Mountains

Start by drawing the mountain silhouettes, ensuring that they are not vertically symmetric. Use the Pencil (Graphite) brush and adjust their shape by erasing and reshaping. Add shadows to the mountains using the Watercolor (Point) brush, considering the direction of light and adding irregularities for a more natural look. Remember that the mountains in the background are farther away, so you don't need to paint them in Detail.

Adding Shadows and Highlights

Use light colors to depict the mountains that are further away. Adjust the opacity of the layer to achieve the desired effect. Add highlights lightly using the Airbrush (Trapezoid 20%) brush to create depth and dimension. Blend the elements together for a Cohesive look.

Drawing the Sky and Clouds

The sky and clouds play a vital role in creating a natural and atmospheric background. Here's a step-by-step guide on drawing the sky gradient and adding realistic clouds to your landscape.

Creating a Sky Gradient

To depict a realistic sky, hide the layer with the drawn mountains temporarily. Create a new layer with "Clipping" on and use the Airbrush (Trapezoid 20%) brush to draw a sky gradient. The upper part should have a strong bluish tint, while the lower part should have a bright gradation. By blending the colors seamlessly, you can create a compelling sky that complements the rest of the background.

Drawing the Base of the Clouds

Switch to the Watercolor (Bleed) brush and draw the base of the clouds using white color with reduced opacity. Place the clouds in a zigzag manner to mimic their natural flow and create a sense of perspective. Pay attention to the perspective lines and ensure that the clouds' placement follows the overall composition.

Adding Texture and Shadows

Use the Watercolor (Real) brush and the Smudge tool to add texture and realism to the clouds. Vary the shapes and sizes of the clouds to avoid regular repeating Patterns. Add clear outlines to some parts of the clouds and make certain areas denser to create a three-dimensional effect. Create another layer with "Clipping" on and add shadows using the brush you used for the clouds. The placement and shape of the shadows should follow the perspective lines, enhancing the overall sense of depth.

Final Touches: Adjusting Colors and Overall Look

To ensure a cohesive look and balance in your background, make final adjustments to the colors and overall appearance. Use the Filter tool and select "Adjust Color" to easily fine-tune the color settings. Play around with hue, saturation, and lightness to achieve the desired effect. Continuously assess the overall look and make any necessary tweaks to create a harmonious and captivating background.

Conclusion

Drawing the background of a natural landscape requires an understanding of perspectives, attention to detail, and artistic techniques. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this guide, you can create stunning backgrounds that enhance your artwork and captivate the viewer. Remember to utilize techniques such as aerial perspective, create depth with shadows and highlights, and always pay attention to the overall composition. With practice and dedication, your natural landscape backgrounds will become a standout feature of your illustrations.