Before and After color💙

Seeing a drawing evolve from a simple pencil sketch to a vibrant, colored piece is one of the most rewarding parts of being an artist! I absolutely loved working on this Sadness fan art from Inside Out, and wanted to share a bit more about my process, especially for those of you interested in creating your own 'before and after art transformations.' It all starts with a solid foundation. For me, that means a detailed pencil sketch, much like the 'before color' image you saw. I always spend a good amount of time on this stage, focusing on getting the proportions just right and, most importantly, capturing the emotion. For Sadness, those tears in her eyes and the way she holds her spherical memory orb are key to her character. I find my Pentel graphgear 500 mechanical pencil is fantastic for these initial lines, allowing for precision and easy corrections. Don't rush this part – a strong sketch makes the coloring process so much smoother! Once I'm happy with the linework, it's time for the magic of color. This is where the true 'transformation' happens, turning a monotone image into a dynamic, 'after color' piece. For Sadness, her iconic blue skin and dark blue hair were a joy to render. I primarily used my Artbeek Alcohol Markers for this. What I love about alcohol markers is their ability to blend seamlessly, creating smooth gradients and rich, vibrant colors. I usually start with lighter shades and then layer darker tones to build up depth. For instance, getting that beautiful gradient on her blue skin required several layers. Adding highlights and details is crucial for making the drawing pop and achieving that 'cool art photo' quality. After laying down the main marker colors, I reached for my Grabie white paint pen. This tool is a game-changer for adding sharp, opaque highlights, like the glint in her eyes or the shine on the memory orb. Sometimes, for softer highlights or to blend edges, a white colored pencil can also be incredibly effective, especially on the edges of the blue pen lines or to soften the transition of her blue skin. The contrast really makes the blue and yellow of the memory orb stand out. The journey from a blank page to a finished piece, especially when you can see the 'before and after' side-by-side, is incredibly motivating. It reminds you of the progress you've made and the power of different art mediums. If you're looking to try your hand at fan art or simply want to experiment with a new medium, I highly recommend alcohol markers for their versatility and the stunning results they can produce. For anyone wondering who to draw next, consider characters with strong emotional expressions or distinct color palettes. It makes the transformation from sketch to color even more impactful! What characters do you think would have an amazing 'before and after' art transformation? I'm always looking for new inspiration!