Introduction

Drawing shoes can be surprisingly tricky. Even when the shoe itself looks good, it can still feel wrong if it doesn't properly fit the foot, follow its shape, or match the character wearing it.

 

Hiyya Im OverOffYonder and in this tutorial, I'll show you how to simplify the foot, build different shoes around it, draw them from various angles, and design shoes that match each character's style.

Videos

Long form

Short form

Currently being edited:DD

Simple anatomy

Before building a shoe, it helps to understand the basic shape of the foot. You don't need to memorize every bone.

Instead, simplify it into three main parts: the toe, bridge, and heel.

 

 

The shape of these parts changes depending on the foot's position, so it's important to understand how they connect rather than treating the foot as one solid shape.

Angles

The foot can look very different depending on the angle. Pay attention to how the toe, bridge, and heel shift and overlap as the foot turns or bends.

Practicing these simple forms from different angles makes it much easier to build a shoe around the foot later.

Looking up references and practicing is important here. In most cases, you only need to understand the basic shape of the foot to be able to build a shoe around it.

Build the shoe pt. 1

There are many different types of footwear, and their shape can change a lot depending on the angle of the foot.

It is important to think in 3D here.

Both the foot and the shoe are 3D objects, but keep in mind that the foot still has to fit inside the shoe.

Build the shoe pt. 2

Once the basic shoe shape is established, it can be adjusted to create different styles. Start with the main silhouette, then build up the shoe by changing its proportions and adding details.

Sole

The sole can dramatically change the visual weight of a shoe. A thin sole gives a lighter appearance, while a thicker or platform sole creates a chunkier silhouette.

How the Shoe Stays On

Consider how the shoe is secured to the foot. Laces, straps, buckles, zippers, and other fastenings can change both the construction and the design of the shoe.

Length

When extending a shoe into a boot or other tall footwear, keep the leg underneath it in mind. The higher the shoe goes, the more its shape needs to follow the calf and ankle.

Details

Once the main shape is working, add smaller elements such as laces, straps, buckles, fur, seams, or other decorations. These details can help define the style, but the overall shape should work before adding them.

Laces TIP

Don't draw every part of the lace. It can quickly become messy and make it difficult to keep track of which parts overlap.

Instead, try simplifying the overall pattern and using negative space to imply the laces. You can see this approach used throughout the tutorial.

Render

Once the basic shoe shape is established, it can be quickly rendered to make the construction easier to read. This workflow keeps the different parts organized while adding enough detail to show the material and form.

1. Sketch the shoe

Start with the basic foot shape, then enclose it with the overall shape of the shoe.

2. Add the base colors

Separate the main parts of the shoe onto clipped layers. This makes it easy to adjust the colors and materials individually.

3. Add shadows

Use a round brush for softer shadows and the Lasso Tool for sharper, harder shadows. Keep the shading focused on showing the shoe's 3D form.

4. Unify the lineart

Change the lineart to a darker color that matches the material it is depicting. This helps the different parts feel more unified than using pure black lines everywhere.

Final

Types of shoes

There are many different types and styles of shoes, so collecting references is especially useful when designing them. Start by looking at the basic construction of the shoe, then pay attention to details such as the sole, straps, laces, openings, and materials.

Searching by specific keywords can make it much easier to find useful references.

Try combining a general type with a style or material, such as chunky sneakers, platform boots, Mary Jane shoes, leather loafers, strappy sandals or go full fantasy footwear.

Personally, I love really chunky shoes. Whatever the style, adding visual weight to the bottom of a character can create a really fun silhouette. I'll touch more on this in the next part :D

Don't be afraid to mix features from different styles. Changing the sole, proportions, materials, or details can create a completely different shoe while keeping the same basic construction.

Character Design

Shoes are an important part of a character's design and should not be overlooked. Their shape, proportions, details, and style can reinforce the character's personality and overall aesthetic.

 

 

For this lineup, each character was given a different fashion style, and the shoes were designed to match it. Small choices such as the shape of the sole, added straps, bows, colors, or even how much of the shoe is visible can help communicate more about the character.

Boots

The first character has a Y2K-inspired outfit with a denim miniskirt, tights, and a wide pink belt. Knee-high heeled boots fit the style while giving the lower half of the outfit more visual weight. Belts and folds add extra detail without taking away from the overall silhouette.

Heels

The second character wears a frilly Lolita-inspired outfit, so the shoes are more decorative and exaggerated. The chunky heels and large bow complement the dress. The pose was also chosen to keep the bow visible, showing how the character's pose can help present important design details.

Dress shoes

The first male character wears a blouse, baggy dress pants, and a necktie. Most of the shoe is hidden by the pants, so a simple boot is enough. The slightly more playful shape gives a small hint of his mischievous personality without competing with the rest of the outfit.

Street Style sneaker

The second male character has a more casual streetwear look, with layered oversized shirts and cargo shorts. A large, chunky red sneaker adds a strong shape and a pop of color while fitting the relaxed proportions of the outfit.

Flip flops

The final character has a simple summer look with a corset-style top, sunglasses, light jeans, and flip-flops. Since the outfit is already fairly simple, the minimal footwear keeps the design casual and relaxed.

These choices show how shoes can support a character's fashion, proportions, and personality. Even when they are only a small part of the overall design, they can add a lot of information about who the character is.

Conclusion

With a basic understanding of the foot, you can build many different types of shoes and adapt them to any character. Use references, think about the shoe as a 3D object, and don't be afraid to experiment with shapes and styles. Have fun designing!

 

Thank you for checking out this tutorial!<3