How to create stunning KPop Demon Hunters art in Photoshop

01. Set your composition with a sketch

I use loose, simple lines to capture the character’s pose and movement, relying on reference images when required.

I focus on the proportions and the overall balance without adding details. The goal is to place the character quickly within the composition.

02. Improve your line art

Refine the initial draft by clarifying shapes, strengthening the silhouette, correcting proportions and establishing the main forms while keeping the lines clean and readable.

This step also involves organising the muscle structure, clothing design and overall line flow. Clear line art makes the upcoming colour-blocking stage smoother and more efficient.

03. Apply base colours

I begin by laying down flat base colours to set the character’s overall palette, keeping the tones simple and consistent to maintain clear shapes. I then block in key areas such as skin, hair and clothing, but don’t add shading yet.

Clean and solid base colours create a stable foundation, making lighting and rendering easier to control.

04. Lighting the character

I use a Lighten layer to softly build the primary light source, enabling the illumination to blend naturally without disrupting the base colours. I establish the direction and intensity first: I usually have one light from the weapon and another main light on the character.

I block in broad light areas, and then refine them gradually. Setting the light and shadow structure early on helps define the strength, direction and contrast of the illumination, enabling the rest of the painting to develop more confidently.

05. Prepare your render by creating separate layers

After merging the lighting and base colours, I separate the character into layers such as hair, skin and clothing to make later refinements easier.

I adjust the forms on each layer, strengthen the edges and improve the structure. The main goal is to make the important shapes clearer

06. Use different brushes for different materials

Different brushes create varied textures and edge qualities. Most of the time I rely on basic brushes, and occasionally I add texture brushes to introduce detail or roughness.

Switching brushes helps control depth and clarity in the painting and gives each area a more expressive finish.

07. Keep working into the render

I add elements such as hair strands and chains only in areas that need emphasis. These details enhance the surface richness without disrupting the main forms.

Applying them selectively keeps the design clear and controlled, and the right amount of small accents makes the overall artwork feel more polished and refined.

08. Depict the weapon effects

I like adding streamlined motion effects to the weapon, using Linear Dodge (Add) to emphasise direction and a sense of force. Clean and flowing shapes suggest speed and energy without pulling attention away from the character.

These lines help guide the viewer’s eye and give the weapon a stronger sense of rhythm.

09. Make it glow and check the values

I use the Hard Light or Color Dodge blending modes to gradually build up the highlights on the weapon. I’m careful to increase the brightness slowly to keep it controlled, and frequently switch to black and white to check the overall value structure.

I keep the brightest point on the weapon so it becomes the visual focus. Strong lighting enhances contrast and energy

10. Improve surface interest

I add texture to the character to give the surfaces more depth and make each area feel more engaging. You can use fabric patterns, light noise or textured brushes to enrich the design.

The aim is to introduce details that support the overall look without making the image feel too busy

11. Enhance facial detail

I use an Overlay layer to add soft warm tones and natural blush to the face. Light touches of color around the eyes or nose can enhance the expression.

I add small highlights to clarify the volume. These subtle adjustments help refine the facial features and make the character feel more lively

12. Enhance the background atmosphere

I add soft light sources and particles to enhance the background and atmosphere. I keep the lighting gentle so it doesn’t overpower the character. Light beams guide the viewer’s eye and strengthen the sense of space. These touches add depth while keeping the environment supportive.

13. Use filters to enhance depth

I use the Lens Blur filter to enhance depth of field. A layer mask enables me to keep the main subject sharp while blurring only the secondary areas.

Strengthening the depth of field improves visual readability and helps direct the viewer’s focus toward the most important parts of the illustration.

14. Final touches

I make precise adjustments to the colours, contrast and details in the final stage. I refine any shapes that need more clarity and ensure the lighting remains consistent across the illustration.

These final touches help the artwork feel more polished, clean and cohesive.