HOW TO DRAW ARMOR LIKE AN ART GOD. 🗿

Summary

In this tutorial, the artist shares the process of drawing shiny, reflective objects like armor, helmets, and jewelry. They emphasize the importance of considering the environment around the object to create realistic reflections and highlights. By using basic tools like a round brush, and focusing on the color and lighting from the surroundings, the artist demonstrates how to capture the reflective qualities of surfaces. The tutorial stresses that mastering shiny surfaces requires practice and observation of how light and colors interact, ultimately guiding viewers toward more dynamic and believable artwork.

Takeaways

• 😀 Drawing shiny objects like armor requires an understanding of the environment around the object, not just the object itself.
• 😀 To render something shiny, focus on how the surroundings are reflected on the surface, not just adding colors or highlights on the object itself.
• 😀 Beginners often make the mistake of drawing just the object without considering its reflective environment, which makes it look flat and unrealistic.
• 😀 Start with simple shapes (like spheres) and use the surrounding world (sky, trees, ground) to create reflections and depth in the object.
• 😀 Shiny objects like armor require complex reflections that capture the colors of the environment, such as the sky, tree lines, and table surface.
• 😀 When rendering shiny objects, avoid using textured brushes for realism. A round brush is sufficient for creating smooth, reflective surfaces.
• 😀 Focus on broad forms and base colors first, then gradually add details like highlights and smaller reflections for a more realistic look.
• 😀 Details like rivets and surface transitions should be added after establishing the base, as working from big to small forms results in better art.
• 😀 Hyperfixating on small details is not necessary, as no one will scrutinize your painting that closely. Focus on the overall effect.
• 😀 Realistic reflections depend on the surrounding colors, like how a purple light on the face might reflect on jewelry or armor in a scene.
• 😀 The tutorial emphasizes that understanding and incorporating the environment into your artwork is key to creating believable and dynamic shiny objects.

Q & A

Why is it important to draw the environment around a shiny object when illustrating reflective surfaces like armor?

Drawing the environment around a shiny object is crucial because reflective surfaces like armor don’t just reflect their own color—they reflect their surroundings. This helps make the object look more realistic by incorporating elements like the sky, trees, and grass, which impact how light interacts with the surface.

What is the main mistake beginners make when drawing shiny objects?

A common mistake beginners make is only focusing on the object itself without considering the environment around it. They fail to reflect the surrounding colors and lighting onto the shiny surface, which leads to unrealistic or muddy-looking results.

How do you approach rendering a shiny chrome surface, like in the example of the helmet?

To render a shiny chrome surface, start by considering the environment. For example, the top of the helmet might reflect the blue sky, while the bottom could reflect grass or a table. Use gradients and highlights to build the form, ensuring that light and reflections from the surroundings are captured.

What role do highlights play in rendering shiny surfaces like armor?

Highlights are essential because they define the surface texture of the shiny object. They create the illusion of gloss and make the object appear reflective. Without proper highlights, the shiny surface would look flat and lifeless.

What does it mean to 'focus on the world reflected in the object' instead of focusing on the object itself?

Focusing on the world reflected in the object means considering the surroundings that are mirrored on the surface. Instead of just highlighting the object’s form, you pay attention to how the environment influences the object's colors, like how the sky, trees, or even nearby objects reflect onto it.

Why is it important to start with broad strokes and work down to smaller details when drawing shiny objects?

Starting with broad strokes allows you to establish the overall shape, lighting, and color of the object. If you focus on small details too early, your painting may lack cohesion, and you might miss the opportunity to refine the object’s form and overall realism.

What advice does the tutorial provide to avoid getting caught up in tiny details?

The tutorial advises not to hyper-focus on tiny details because no one is going to scrutinize your artwork for every little feature. The key is to get the overall feel right and move on, as excessive detail can detract from the overall impact of the artwork.

How do reflections on shiny surfaces like armor or jewelry help with realism?

Reflections on shiny surfaces help create a sense of depth and context. By incorporating reflections from the environment, such as nearby colors and objects, the surface looks more natural and connected to the scene, making it believable and dynamic.

What is the significance of using a round brush for drawing armor or shiny objects?

The round brush is versatile and effective for drawing armor or shiny objects because it allows for smooth gradients and clean strokes, which are essential for rendering shiny surfaces. The tutorial emphasizes that you don’t need specialized brushes for textures like armor—just a round brush can do the job.

How can understanding reflections enhance the drawing of jewelry on characters, like in the example with Jinx?

Understanding reflections allows you to incorporate the environment’s colors into the jewelry, making it look more integrated with the character and setting. For example, the color of Jinx’s skin, hair, or the surrounding light sources will reflect in the jewelry, adding realism and depth to the scene.