The Value and Color study L2 - Using thumbnail and find Big shape

So the today we are talking about how beneficial it is if you do value study(thumbnail) before going into the actal drawing. The idea is based on Bobby Chiu interview to John Burton.


When we make a scene we are trying to tell a story. we describe a topic we want to tell. How to make our image looks like the topic? The answer will be to find the right BIG SHAPE first.
John: Big shape is like grouping the element. When you look at the map, you will see the big island(continent) first. Say if you want to find Madagascar, you will go find Africa first and then find where Madagascar is. So when we do the value study, finding those big group first, and divided those big group to each level(value), then we can see the depth of the image.


If you can do the 3-5 values value studies first and defined the big shape right, after that when you add the other values on top of it, it will make your life easier. The thumbnail is better to spend around 5 mins if you draw in oil paint(traditional way), around 3 mins if you draw in digital. 


Compear to the digital painting traditional painting is more train you make the paint decision more correctly, and your drawing can become faster. Because you can't undo your draw in the traditional way. It trains you to think maybe 7 steps more and it let you more carefully on your every stock. After years and years, those habits can speed up your paint prosses.



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Drawing process step: sketch thumbnail > value study thumbnail > color study thumbnail > sketch actual drawing > color actual drawing