Creative Freedom is a Trap!

In this video I talk about limitations can help you create better work—and also will let you just get to the fun part without having to make so many decisions. I walk through an example of how I've done this with a recent series where I've been drawing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles inspired by traditional japanese tattoo style.

I've been making all of these characters using just 3 colors, 1 line work brush set to the same size, and I've been coloring using the Retro Supply Co Riso brushes. In the video I explain how to get the best results with them!

(PS: Adobe Fresco uses Photoshop Brushes)

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DISCLOSURE: I sometimes review and/or link to products & services I have used (or tried). When available, I use referral links, which means if you click one of the links in this video or description and make a purchase I may receive a small commission or other compensation.

Hey! I am an Adobe Community Expert!

#TMNT #japanesetattoo #illustrationstyle #risoprint #risobrushes #adobfresco
donatello mutant mayhem tattoo style finding your illustration style, adobe fresco brushes, adobe fresco texture adobe fresno

Adobe fresco tutorial

[CrumbyDoodles]

I like the quote “Give me the freedom of a tight brief” - when I have total freedom to draw anything I will procrastinate forever and draw nothing! 😳 Loved your turtle figure stop motion animation in the background 👍🐢🤓

[AsTheOceansBurn]

I can’t tell you how glad I am that I came across your channel, Chris. Loving your work and insanely inspiring!

[hassanhart]

To see your references outside of your artboard in fresco you have to go settings and turn off artboard preview

[beingsila]

I always come back to this video for relearning creative freedom❤

[shredoorz]

Would love to see a print of this. TMNT and Japanese traditional tattoos are two of the best things independent of each other. Together is the raddest stuff.

[greg_reacts]

I've just started getting into vector art, and I love your channel. Thanks for the tips!

[DrewZilla_Art]

I would buy a print of all your TMNT Kapps together in one mega-awesome poster, 100%

[mrganhffmannstudi]

I LOVE the idea….. you should do a flash sheet! 👏🏻

[coetroy]

Such fun and info-packed videos! I’ve been inspired to start using Fresco, it’s RADiculously awesome! Still getting the hang of it but thanks to your videos I’m getting there so much quicker. Also, the TMNT characters you’re doing are so sweet. Great job, thanks.

[onnaquest]

Dude I am with you on your favorite turtles. I was Raphael back in the day and am probably more Donatello now. Cowabunga these are awesome.

If you're ever stuck on ideas, I think garbage pail kids and mad balls could be equally entertaining, nostalgic, informative, inspiring.

Thanks for the great content! ✌️

[The_Bearded_B]

This would be an awesome print to own.

[Peejbayou]

I switched from procreate because of you. It was a great decision i feel like feesco is better all around man. My favorite thing so far is that i can overlay adjustment layers instead of being commited like in procreate. I love non destructive workflow.

[DrewZilla_Art]

Mikey has always been my favorite. :)

[DigitalBrooke]

I’m pretty sure I’ve asked this before, but what is your sketch, pencil? And what size is it for your canvas? I can’t remember which video you answered originally.

[owenpancakes]

great Vid. Loved seeing your process. The colour palette was pretty much CMY so you had 100 different color possibilities by combining them - but you mainly limited yourself to using each color channel full strength or nothing to keep the options down.

[Leroyink]

I was very lucky to have “Style” on my BINGO card.

[JohnTravena]

Believe this was the idea behind Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies.

[Peejbayou]

Also.... i would love a print of all of these. You could even put their names in your style. Just an idea.

[jehsee]

Recently ran into this problem, got burnt-out coming up with ideas... so I started doing commissions for other people... let THEM they tell me what to draw.

[curtisnordstrom]

My limitation is drawing only characters is my comic universe. I don’t do fan art or really anything else