Communication is key, reveals artist Bruno Wagner.
Bruno Wagner creates a fearsome and feisty female warrior for his exciting book cover commission
Whether you've got your drawing techniques down to a fine art, being commissioned for a new piece can often be a daunting experience. This character illustration was commissioned for a book cover. The brief was specific, and went into a lot of detail about the character of the girl. To create it, I worked directly with the author of the book, and it was interesting to compare our thoughts on what we imagined the character would look like.
The girl is a rebel and heroic princess escaping on a powerful and muscular horse. The author was keen for the reader to feel the strength of character and freedom of the heroine, as well as the impressive and somewhat frightening-looking mount.
I found that the difficulty with this commission was achieving the right visual tone. Because the book's readership is a young, female audience, the author wanted the cover to be engaging for that age group without it becoming too kitsch and a caricature of the heroine.
She was also keen to avoid an overly masculine illustration, one that's often seen in the fantasy genre with the likes of Conan the Barbarian, for example. So I had to find the right atmosphere and combine soft and feminine tones with a dynamic, elegant composition, while keeping some of my personal darker style, because the author also loved that. Thankfully, everything came together in the end and the author let me know she was very happy with the artwork. Job done! Here's how it was done...
01. Develop the basic composition
The key here is to find the starting composition to serve as a foundation
I use a simple 3D render for the basis of this illustration, created in Daz 3D. But it could very well be a photograph that inspires you or a quick sketch. The key here is to find the starting composition to serve as a foundation. The image quality of the reference doesn't matter, because I'll be working on top of it.
02. Building up the character
Wagner introduces smoke and fog in front of and behind the character to increase depth
I change the face of the character, add clothing, hair, more realistic textures and particle effects to the scene. I also introduce smoke and fog in front of and behind my character, to increase depth. While working on multiple layers, I gradually increase my colour range from pink to blue.
03. Apply snake and reptile textures
Wagner uses several real-life textures from various reptiles and snakes for the horse's body
I use several real-life textures from various reptiles and snakes for the horse's body. The Transform tool enables me to follow the curves of the horse's muscles and body volume. I use the textures with different Overlay mode layers to retain lights and shadows. This means I'm able to quickly add realism and fine details.
04. Cleaning up and paintover
Take the time to sort and then flatten layers
I take the time to sort and then flatten my layers. Then I use my brushes with the Smudge tool. I choose an appropriate Opacity and Hardness, and for the hair I use a brush with a strong and fine point. To smoothen the horse's body I use a brush with a larger tip on a low Opacity.
05. Background paintover with the Smudge tool
When it comes to painting the background, Wagner uses the Smudge tool with his custom Faux Finish brush
When it comes to painting the background I use the Smudge tool with my custom Faux Finish brush. I lay down some large, random brushstrokes that result in movement and texture, like a traditional painting. It also contrasts well with the more accurate portrayal of the character and horse.
06. Final colour correction
Once finished, Wagner creates two versions: one that strengthens the reds, another that emphasises the blues and greens
Once my image is finished, I create two versions: one that strengthens the reds, another that emphasises the blues and greens. Then I combine them. The bottom half features tones of reds and gold, while the top becomes colder with blue-green tones. This helps to reinforce the depth of field and enriches my chromatic scale.
07. Paintover effect with ArtRage
ArtRage adds a warm, traditional painting style
As a last step I open my image in software known for its traditional paint engine, such as ArtRage or Painter, and lay down large brushstrokes that are thick and dense. Then I put this above over my old image at 30-40 per cent Opacity, which gives a slight patina effect as well as a warm, traditional painting style.
Photoshop Custom brushes
Natural and faux finish brushes are ideal for the paintover stage
Natural and Faux finish brushes
Used with the Smudge tool, these brushes are ideal for the paintover stage, helping to create a painterly finish.
Bruno was born in Strasbourg in 1979 and he graduated in applied arts. Now he’s the art director in his own agency and an illustrator for the entertainment industry. This article originally appeared in ImagineFX issue 129.
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