01
SKETCH START
I started with a pencil rough, and then refined it over a lightbox onto a fresh sheet
of paper. Then I used a sable brush and india ink to make it nice and black and white.
I scanned it into Photoshop at 1200dpi, and then downsampled it to 600dpi.02
PERFECT THE TREES
Once scanned, I moved things around to work better within the
composition, and I ended up redrawing the tree digitally as I wasn’t quite
happy with it in the end. Then I converted the line art into layers. I like to
work using colour fill layers, which ensures that I have the flexibility to go
back and easily change certain colours throughout the process.03
SHADES OF AUTUMN
Now I introduce toning and shading,
using additional colour fill layers set to
Multiply. Then I use key adjustment layers
and Gradient Fills, set to Overlay, to bring
warmth to the piece and to make the colour
a little more harmonious and dynamic.I just remember having a bit of a brain spark and
imagining someone super-imposing the vibrant redfoliage onto the wall behind an otherwise naked tree
HOW I MADE TECHNIQUES