This time, I'll be explaining how to draw a top-down (sandbox-type) vignette-style illustration for beginners and those who are getting used to drawing.
This method makes it easier to move background accessories and motifs around than a figure-style illustration that focuses on characters.
It's also recommended for people who like miniatures and want to draw lots of motifs.
Vignette-style illustrations may seem difficult at first glance, but if you start by drawing small accessories or chibi characters,
you'll feel like "this is kind of cute!" so why not try this method that you don't normally draw?
I hope it will be helpful for your creative endeavors!
Materials to be used
I used some very useful materials posted on CLIP STUDIO ASSETS for this production.
Thank you for the wonderful materials!
"Isometric Grid" (image material)
Step 1: Choose a motif
Consider three points when thinking about the motif to draw.
- Choose a simple motif that is easy to deform
- Don't include too many small items at first (keep it to the main item and 2-3 other items)
- A rectangular motif makes it easier to draw
When drawing for the first time, choose a motif that is as simple and easy as possible.
It's cute even if it just has a "ground" and a "character".
This illustration has no "perspective", so it's easy to add and arrange other illustrations later.
If you're not used to drawing three-dimensional objects, use a rectangular motif such as square furniture or a dice!
On the other hand, if you want to draw a round motif, it's less likely to look strange if you make it small.
Step 2: Set the ruler and draw a rough sketch
We'll use the grid material introduced at the beginning as a guide for drawing a perspective ruler.
The material itself is not set as the ruler.
❶ First, paste the "isometric grid" you downloaded onto the canvas.
❷ Adjust the size to your liking and set it so that you can easily use the layer as a "guide."
This time I tried it like this:
Change the layer name to "Grid lines" for easier understanding (from now on, we will call this layer the "Grid lines layer")
Change the layer color to light pink (to taste!)
Opacity to around 10-30 percent (to taste!)
❸ Select the "Perspective Ruler".
Create a "New Layer" above the "Grid Line Layer".
Draw three perspective lines with vanishing points while referring to the grid line layer. (Three-point perspective drawing)
◆To measure vertically (height), hold down the shift key and draw straight down.
*This time we're not drawing a precise illustration, so it's okay if the deviation isn't too large.
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It's useful to set a shortcut to switch the ruler on and off, but I draw my rough sketches by switching between two draft layers.
↑ I'm drawing a rough sketch by switching between the "freehand" and "straight line" layers.
● If you set the layer color, you can color-code the lines drawn with "freehand" and "straight line" without having to change the color, making the rough sketch easier to see. **
Step 3: Add lines and colors to each motif
If you want to use the grid line layer as a reference, please refer to ❶ to ❸. If not, please skip to ❹.
❶ Move the "Grid line" layer to the top
❷ Set the layer mode to "Multiply"
❸ Lighten the opacity to your liking and set it to "Draft layer"
❹ Create a new layer and start inking.
If you want to make detailed adjustments later or take your time with your drawing, it's convenient to ink on a vector layer.
If you're not used to working with vector lines, it's fine to just draw as you normally would!
❺ Create layer folders for each "motif" as much as possible and draw them separately.
Motifs that should be kept separate at the very least
"Ground"
"Wall"
"Character (main)"
"Small items to duplicate" ← Items that may be moved from the back to the front, etc.
This time I drew them separately like this.
Step 4: Patterns, shadows, and highlights
Pasting "patterns"
Draw the pizza box illustration, the arrow on the sign, etc. on a separate layer and then paste them on.
❶ Draw the image from the front (1.5 to 2 times larger).
❷ Once you're done, duplicate it to keep the original image. (Hide the original layer.)
❸ Paste the duplicated image onto the motif using **"Edit" → "Transform" → "Free Transform"** as a reference for the grid line layer.
"Shadows and highlights"
To make the illustration look more three-dimensional, I add shadows and highlights to each motif.
Since this is a very deformed illustration, I've kept it simple by adding just one shadow and white highlights.
I used "Screen" layer mode for the highlights and adjusted the opacity.
Step 5: Finish and complete
Here you can adjust the colors and lines of the illustration to your liking.
"clone"
If you feel like something is missing, try adding more motifs.
Try duplicating the whole folder and using "Move Layer" to place it wherever you like.
You can also just adjust the color layer and arrange different colors.
You can also change the size, but if the line art is not vector, the lines will become blurred when enlarged, so keep it moderate.
Change the line color
I turned on Lock Transparent Pixels for the line art layer and painted it a slightly darker color than the surrounding colors.
This is a method called color-less, and is used when you want to create a softer impression, increase color information, or create a sense of overall unity.
Change the line thickness
Making the outermost lines (borders) of an illustration thicker will give it a more unified look and make it look more compact.
You can also change the thickness of the outer lines for each motif.
On the other hand, erasing the lines that make up the "corners" of the background and small items and expressing three-dimensionality using only shadows will make the main subject stand out more.
Please try out various things.
Finally, adjust the overall color and add some touches to finish it off!
Thank you for reading to the end! Have a great drawing life!
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