How I draw dynamic character illustrations

An in-depth guide on how I went about developing a small series of Genshin illustrations, starting from breaking down and reinterpreting Felicia Chen's work.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Study & Analysis
4:19 - Kaeya
10:19 - Diluc
14:19 - Jean
16:22 - Reception & Final thoughts

________________________

🌟 Felicia:

________________________

⚡ My info:

________________________

🖊️ Equipment:

Clip Studio Paint EX
Wacom Intuos Pro Tablet

________________________

🎧 Music:

[HappyAbbyDunnivan]

Dude.. the way you directed the artwork you loved and reconstructed it.. I feel like I was just handed a million dollars. Also, sharing the amount of time you dedicated to the piece, is so encouraging! I think I often feel like if I spent too much time on something it wasn’t worth doing. It’s nice to be given the permission to take time on things! Thank you :)

[parchewy]

This was super insightful and helpful! Thank you for taking the time to put together a video to teach people how you study art.

[PinkySoda]

This made me realize I really need to study artists i admire. I've been feeling so stagnate and unmotivated in my art recently. I think whenever that happens it's good to broaden your horizons and try things that you haven't before.

[petrifiedbutterfly]

for the longest time i've always wondered if i was taking too long on my art, especially since it was digital, but you mentioning how long it took made me realize it was okay to take your time with art, after suffering the burnout and feelings of inadequacy for so long, it felt good to know that taking my time was okay. thanks :D

[zongi]

Capturing a moment from a place that is only possible through art is an amazing thing and i absolutely agree! I also really love how much interpretation of the characters' personalities you did and executed in their pieces in such a fitting and stunning way!!! I could go on for so long about how cool this video is omg, truly grateful for it!👏🏻 (while watching this video, it's quickly becoming one of my favourite art videos)
The pieces look so cool and dynamic, I love how harmonic and still tastefully contrasting the colours are and you nailed the poses!!! (aaah also the fact that Kaeya and Diluc are both covering the lower part of their faces just fits so well, like they are opposites but share a backstory wuaaaa)
Super super super neat work❤

PS: I really appreciate the Albedo quote you put in at the beginning!!! It's so good

[rinrinrin]

sworn brothers and their childhood friend looking badass!!??! count me in wow! your art looks amazing and I love that how you put their heads as symbols of their relationships. the way Kaeya and Diluc are now on opposite sides, showing the clash of them and Jean in the middle being the strong power that holds them together. I may be reading too much into it but I love them so much!

[SmokeandSpirit]

So much dynamic movement. Ive got to say one of my weaknesses as an artist is I tend to avoid more difficult angles with plenty of foreshortening. Yet you can see from both your reference and you finished works here that it pays to lean into more difficult to visualize angles, poses, etc.

These really turned out great. I actually love the idea of using video for capturing reference seems a lot more versitile and I wouldn't have the ten crap photos to get the one good one. Now if Only I had a webcam still, lol.

[engine]

no wonder i fell in love with your videos so quickly!! the louie zong music + aesthetic presentation of incredibly useful and valuable information dropping second after second is so good!

[conchapickle]

It was such a treat to see you make 2 more illustrations! I thought the whole video was going to be about kaeya, but when you mentioned dilluc and said you were going to do 3- I thought, "there's more?!"

It was a fun surprise, and overall very fun and informative 😊✨️

[g.n.]

THIS IS LITERALLY SO INCREDIBLE OMG??? I'm foaming at the mouth but also for real. for reaaaal you have such a unique and intense eye for artistry and to be able to get a glimpse into your process is?? f#cking amazing thank you so much for being you and for doing what you do, you're such a master of your craft 'o'

[mkatmpts]

Thank you so much! I always think that the most interesting step in creating an art is the tought process behind it. You go step by step starting from breaking down the artist and then proceed to execution on your own. It's so so so helpful! Thank you once again, happy 2024!

[kokomist]

Really helpful to me :D! I remember seeing your art for the first time in tumblr and thought it was really cool, the way you perfectly portrayed the characters and what they're like just through poses and the vibes are really amazing‼️

[hypeburger]

this video has been an eye opener for me for studying dynamic illustrations. THANK YOU SO MUCHHH FOR THISSS!!! i loved this video and hope to see more of this.

[beaumiffle]

wow i wished i watched this video months ago!! i was struggling to find refs because everything looked the same. but you explained it perfectly why i want to draw, capturing the power moments in a pov no camera could catch!! thank you so much this video has really helped me see art differently

[ms]

This was so helpful! All of your videos are really thought through and very motivating. Breaking things down shows us how possible it is if you don't panic and write down the direction you want to take for your art work. Makes everything less daunting and for perfectionists, it allows us to actually...start the illustration instead of feeling discouraged looking at the blank canvas. 😂😅

[neura]

1) Study
-why do you like this art
-what techniques did they use

2) thumbnail, research, reference
-research the subject
-draw thumbnails keeping in mind what you analyzed
-sketch is crucial to fill in details from the thumbnail
- coloring lighting wawawa very intuitive flexible step just follow what you analyzed and eye your reference

3. Evaluation
- did you capture what you analyzed?
- try again to hone your skill, so it wont be just a fluke
- what do you want to capture in your art?
-keep in mind your workflow

4)extra
- if no online ref, make ur own ref
- keep in mind your pre-render, the fundamentals will hold your art

5) perception
- are my audience responding the way i wanted to?
- final note : study the people you admire.

[kokichi]

You did amazing planning for all of those! 😭💓 Jean in the middle and the siblings facing opposite directions is just perfect

[viqilante]

what an incredible video, both information wise and aesthetically!! i learned so much, while at the same time being amazed by how you structured it all, thank you <33

[mimthyss]

This is really awesome and inspiring. I'm always too overwhelmed looking at impressive artists' works, just looking at them like "wow, this is so insane, I wouldn't even know how to begin something like this". Seeing you break down the pieces and then bring them into your own works was really really helpful and they turned out beautifully!!

[yaboi]

i want you to know this is one of my favorite videos of all times