In today's video I'm drawing Jake Gyllanhal in Procreate using the native 6B pencil.
What you need:
- An ipad and compatible apple pencil
- Optional but recommended: a matte screen protector
- Procreate software
The process:
- Choose your reference picture (I picked a shot of Jake Gyllanhall from a GQ Germany shoot - but whatever works. High contrast, B&W photos do make it easier though)
- Create a background:
- Set your pencil, smudge and eraser to the 6B pencil (this brush can be found in the sketching section of your brush library)
- Sketch the proportions of the head - I used the Loomis method, but whatever works for you!
- Optional: drop in your source picture on a separate layer to check your accuracy
- Use this rough drawing to plan out and block in a posterised version of the head
- Methods to help figure out which areas to make light and dark include: squint at the picture, play with the photo contrast settings or even using a posterisation or Notan app to help
- Optional: add some highlights
- Work around the edges focusing on identifying soft, hard and lost edges, replicating how quickly the tone moves from dark to light in your source picture.
- Take breaks!
- Refine your drawing: jump around and work on different sections, work towards having a good variety of textures; smooth, rough, hatching, sharp lines etc
- Optional: go back and work highlights a bit more
- Hopefully you are now done! (until you come back to your drawing and spot a dozen things you need to fix 🤪)