Hi, I'm Caiyun. Illustration can be used in too many places in design, whether it is UI, operation, graphic posters, etc., but many friends have more than enough heart and less strength in illustration. For example, like Caiyun, I had a weak foundation in illustration. I only drew stippling in primary school, and then I didn't learn much about this knowledge. However, after work, someone specially practiced illustration and insisted on drawing one every day. Although it was still bad, it was some small experience.
Caiyun painted some exercises six years ago. One animal a day. Although the painting is not good, the most important thing is persistence
Many designers who have no foundation like me often want to draw some illustrations to add a sense of design to their own design. Does that mean you can't draw without foundation? The answer is No. Today I will share with you an introduction to illustration. Caiyun thinks these concepts are very valuable for learning illustration. I have been using these basic theories in my design for so many years. Let's learn together.
Have you ever thought of becoming an illustrator? Are you still in the beginning stage? This article will tell you some simple skills to fundamentally improve your skills.
There are many ways to become an illustrator: school study, courses, books, and even self-study at home. There is no absolutely right path, which depends on your own choice.
But no matter what path you take, you need to have a goal. Do you have to understand the challenges of the future, realistic conceptual art or minimalism, creative posters? If it is the former, you will find it difficult without painting background. It needs to master skills, learn to deal with space and proportion, and study perspective and color scheme. If it is the latter, you can have the opportunity to do well without foundation.
What are indispensable under any circumstances? There are some skills that are generally applicable. Whether in the fields of visual art, music, photography or film, harmony and the interaction between the whole and the part are the two most important things in the picture.
Composition
Alexander livanov pointed out sharply: "composition is the value system of illustration." Creating a beautiful composition is the key to making your illustrations attractive. The illustrator's job is to establish the level of objects, create highlights and contrast, and guide the audience along an invisible path from primary to secondary, so that the final result is a harmonious and cohesive image.
A beginner’s guide to composition pinterest( https://www.pinterest.com/pin/338051515783332454/ ）On a collection of composition, friends who can see recommend collection.
Of course, composition depends on the type of illustration, and each case requires a different approach. For example, if it is a pattern, then all the elements are either equal or the rhythm is not equal. But we ask, what is the rhythm?
rhythm
Rhythm is a regular order of space, shape or color.
In visual art, just like in music, we can find positive and intermittent rhythm, as well as stable, calm and soothing rhythm.
Rhythm is one of the main tools of composition. It creates harmony and balance. After all, one of the main jobs of illustrators is to organize visual space. To do this, we need to constantly compare objects and adjust each object in a picture.
balance
Balance is that elements create balance and harmony in the process of juxtaposition. The sense of balance intuitively makes the viewer feel comfortable.
Don't forget that the overall composition needs to be balanced. Balance is critical when creating any drawing object. (Caiyun note: how to keep the picture balanced is also a very important knowledge point. I have the opportunity to write a special article for you and keep an eye on it.)
Source: Liza moiseieva
contrast
When you need to emphasize a message, use contrast: it always attracts the audience's attention. You can use the contrast between color, saturation, space and temperature. There are many ways to highlight an object: you can make it brighter, more textured, bigger, smaller... It all depends on your choice.
The principles of design （ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/441352832212385826/ Design principles)
dynamic
Illustrators must learn to express moving lines, dynamic and static. Movement can be highlighted with a guide line or rhythm. If you are drawing a figure, start with a frame showing the movement of various parts of the body. Pay attention to the outline of a person or object. The more distinctive and informative, the more interesting and comprehensive the illustration will be.
Color and hue
Color and tone are the main tools of illustrators. They affect the overall perception of the image and the readability of specific objects. They can be used to convey space and volume, emphasizing emotion and taste.
Here are some tips for handling tones and colors:
1. Single tone color matching
Beginners can simply number the tones from the darkest to the brightest. It is important that the elements of monochrome illustrations have different tones. The richer the color information, the more harmonious the picture will be.
2. Limited palette
By limiting the palette, you can more easily create a specific atmosphere. You can try a pre selected set of colors, so that the work will always be harmonious.
Weather change example (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/388154061614616476/ Color reference）
In addition to the above methods, don't forget other expressions, such as:
- Lines and points
- Light and projection
- Soft and sharp
- texture
- Gradual change
- transparency
- Different brushes
In addition to the above, we should also consider the invisible things, the design concept behind the picture, its essence and concept. Make sure your illustrations are meaningful and create illustrations consciously.
Draw illustrations like a game
Set a clear goal and start painting again. What do you need to show? For example, you may want to reflect reality or use metaphor to illustrate an emotional experience or demonstrate your technical skills. How should your illustrations work? What style do you want? These problems need to be considered.
Illustrations by Liza Moiseieva
The style of illustration is a set of expression, similar to the rules of the game.
Think of the canvas as a playground. Now let's assume that the master's rule is that all shadows must be blue, there must be no perspective, all characters must be out of proportion, and green cannot be used. These rules will significantly affect the illustration style.
Of course, these rules should follow an internal logic. For example, if you draw a piano player, you can draw his hands larger to emphasize their elegance and meaning. At other times, you may not want to make the picture elements too detailed. For example, for mobile applications, in 4 × It is meaningless to draw every leaf in the 4mm "tree" icon.
Explore the world and invent your own language. Don't be afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Just by changing proportions, colors, or basic concepts, the same techniques can be used to create dazzling and diverse styles.
Illustrations by Liza Moiseieva
Everything is for improvement
Illustration is a language, a way to express feelings and emotions. Don't ignore your "vocabulary" and constantly expand and modify it. This is an endless process, but it is also an exciting process.
To speak the language of art, you need to broaden your horizons, see high-quality works, analyze them, and try imitation skills. While reading the works everyday, I keep asking myself: what attracted me to do this job? What values do the illustrations want to convey? How did they do it? What makes their style different?
Welcome to WeChat's official account of the author: the design of "cloud translation".
