Fan Art Draw Along

See how you can design fan art that will stand out from the crowd.

Techniques demonstrated will be how to merge text and images as well as how to achieve your own personal interpretation while also capturing the subject’s character and personality.

Demo by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster.


Video Walkthrough

Aaron Tveit Moulin Rouge, Fan Art, Mood Board Brainstorming
Mood boards

Prof Lieu’s Tips

Clara cartoon

When you’re planning out compositions in thumbnail sketches, the thumbnail should have little to do with how you would be articulating with your brush in the final artwork.

Aaron Tveit Moulin Rouge Fan Art, Composition, Thumbnail Sketches
Thumbnail sketches

Composition is largely about placement, what is in the upper right corner, what are you putting in the center, etc.

A lot of the times I tell people their thumbnails are “too good.” The longer time you spend on each thumbnail, the more polished it is, the fewer thumbnails you can pump out.

Aaron Tveit Moulin Rouge Fan Art, Mood Boards, Brainstorming
Mood boards

That really limiting your options, you have far fewer compositions to choose from.

If each thumbnail takes 5-10 min. to make, you can pump out tons of compositional options. If a thumbnail takes an hour to draw, it’s less likely you will make a bunch.

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