Flashback to January 2014 - 2dartist magazine

Gothic influenced Abigail Larson shares her technique and process of sketching out characters in the design process in this flashback to January 2014

Influenced by gothic works of fiction, Abigail creates art for private clients and illustrates books. Abigail’s work has been featured in many galleries and titles such as Spectrum Fantastic Art.

Sketching might be the simplest and the most important skill an artist can have. Not only is it an invaluable learning tool, it’s how you’ll start every project, no matter the size. For me, it’s my favorite way to think. I can brainstorm my assignments, or dream up worlds for myself. Because I think very visually, it’s absolutely necessary for me to begin my work by mapping it out on paper.

Because I think very visually, it’s absolutely necessary for me to begin my work by mapping it out on paper.

Sketching Techniques

If I’m designing a character, I like to draw their face or pose three or four times to get warmed up and become used to them. I occasionally take photographs of myself standing in the desired position, just to get a better idea of how it should look – whether I’m drawing a man, woman, or monster. I’ve always loved the way hands and expressions can subtly tell stories of their own, so I spend a great deal of time drawing, erasing, and re-drawing hand positions or adjusting a character’s expression.

I’ve always loved the way hands and expressions can subtly tell stories of their own, so I spend a great deal of time drawing, erasing, and re-drawing hand positions or adjusting a character’s expression.

Drapery, the folds of clothing and hair are also important to figure out early on. Most of my characters, even though they tend to be pure fiction, have period clothing (or outfits that are very heavily based on historical fashion). I tweak them to my liking, but I still fill pages with little quick scribbles of silhouettes for gowns or coats, all adjusted and tailored for each character.

Once I decide on a pose, I like to design their settings or backdrop. I normally keep this very simple, because I like to focus the viewer on the subject, but occasionally it’s necessary for me to very carefully place each item in a room, or force a tree to grow in a certain direction, depending on the composition of the picture.

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