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FleetingEmber β€” Red Dragon Step by Step

#dragon #red #stepbystep #photoshoppainting
Published: 2018-11-25 14:52:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 13209; Favourites: 1026; Downloads: 0
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Description

I've cropped it a little for this as otherwise the GIF compression was acting really strangely!


Anyway...


1 - Decided on the sketch and blocking out character colours on seperate layer


2 - Some sort of idea for a background - very abstract, just chucking things down really. Will decide properly later! Darkened the outer wing and limbs with a dark blue as they're further away.


3 - I was just messing here. Way too oversaturated! I decided on my second light source as using the blue from the sky coming from above and behind the dragon. Added some rough shading ideas


4 - Started planning out the light from fire and where it would fall on the dragon's body. It was a bit complicated to get my head around because there's so much fire! I colour picked the main flame colour, lowered the opacity of it, and lightened it a tad to paint this on. Also added darker shadows - A strong light source usually creates the darkest shadows! Started to work on clouds, again super messily as this wasn't the focus.


5 - Carried on from the previous step. More refining. Started detailing the feathers and flames. Added a tiny bit of flame light onto the clouds around the dragon.


6 - Further detailing and more refining. At this point I don't really bother with different layers, other than maybe a separate one for the background. I'm just painting ontop of everything with quite a hard brush. But always using around 80% opacity.


7 - Final step is a lot of colour and contrast tweaks, as well as gradient overlays to really make the flames pop.


Finished piece -


Related content
Comments: 51

FleetingEmber In reply to ??? [2019-05-19 11:20:52 +0000 UTC]

Good to hear! If you have questions, please do let me know!

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KovoWolf [2018-12-17 22:32:36 +0000 UTC]

I love watching WIP's! Very informative

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Collettey [2018-12-12 21:29:41 +0000 UTC]

I would just like to admire your gif-work for a second, and then profusely thank you for this wonderful tutorial.Β 

Not only is it useful for dragons, but all other fantastical creatures like it! This is going to make creating the creatures and beings for my D&D campaign so much easier.Β 

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FleetingEmber In reply to Collettey [2018-12-15 10:32:26 +0000 UTC]

I'm so glad it helps!!!

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XxstitchedteddyxX [2018-12-11 23:09:13 +0000 UTC]

I wish I had the brushesΒ Β 

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Collettey In reply to XxstitchedteddyxX [2018-12-12 21:27:46 +0000 UTC]

Bruh, there are tons of free brushes on here and across the internet! Plus, they're all compatible with any art program; the brush file itself may require a bit of tweaking before that, but the end result remains the same.Β 

Go explore the wondrous world of brushes.Β 

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ElaiaVortex [2018-11-28 14:51:42 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for sharing with community. I learn so much from your work. I wish you had each step separated so I can look closely at each of them. Sliding is cool but kinda distracting.

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FleetingEmber In reply to ElaiaVortex [2018-11-29 13:55:53 +0000 UTC]

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ElaiaVortex In reply to FleetingEmber [2018-11-29 14:10:08 +0000 UTC]

GIFs are good for presentation. But when someone like me trying to look closely at the step 3 for example, it gone in seconds, and I have to wait the whole cycle again and again and again... I tired of this and downloaded your work to get the frame myself ^.^" Dont get me wrong - I LOVE your step by step gifs! Its just slightly harder to learn this way.Β 

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FleetingEmber In reply to ElaiaVortex [2018-11-29 14:28:18 +0000 UTC]

I completely understand!! Will def take it on board!

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ElaiaVortex In reply to FleetingEmber [2018-11-29 14:40:11 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for considering! <3

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QuirkyBrainiac [2018-11-27 04:57:09 +0000 UTC]

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rosiecrafts [2018-11-27 00:55:56 +0000 UTC]

very nice colors!

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Lightythedreamer [2018-11-26 16:20:19 +0000 UTC]

OMG ! It's stunning ! I wish I could do that *_*

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Poliainas [2018-11-26 14:58:43 +0000 UTC]

gow do make the inesity of the lights ?

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FleetingEmber In reply to Poliainas [2018-11-27 10:53:44 +0000 UTC]

Using the overlay layer mode is really helpful to draw attention to glowy bits. Then use a very light colour on low opacity to build it up.

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AerapixDesign [2018-11-26 14:38:50 +0000 UTC]

you should've gone with liquify-tool in photoshop for the feathers. really make them flamish. And blur-tool for the perspective on the flames. Otherwise i like the overall design.

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FleetingEmber In reply to AerapixDesign [2018-11-27 10:53:01 +0000 UTC]

Ohh good shout. Will keep that in mind!

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SketchMonster1 [2018-11-26 14:36:39 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic!

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bluewingfairy [2018-11-26 12:51:44 +0000 UTC]

Good morning friend, awesome really awesome!!!!!!!.

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Soulslayer317 [2018-11-26 09:27:03 +0000 UTC]

Awesome work! Sorry had trouble with the fave button on mobile lol
but thanks for the tutorial, gives some ideas for how to work with the fiery wings and tail

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FleetingEmber In reply to Soulslayer317 [2018-11-26 11:06:51 +0000 UTC]

Ahh no worries! You are more than welcome, I'm glad it gives you ideas! There's so much work on DA that gives me inspiration.

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BlumrlsMotherNature [2018-11-26 04:50:34 +0000 UTC]

Wish my wings looked like that...

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TheGameartist03 [2018-11-26 02:25:27 +0000 UTC]

This drawing is phenomenal!
You can just feel the heat radiating off those wings...

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FleetingEmber In reply to TheGameartist03 [2018-11-26 11:05:53 +0000 UTC]

Gradients are fantastic to help get that glowy effect

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TheGameartist03 In reply to FleetingEmber [2018-11-27 00:31:16 +0000 UTC]

Definitely. I always end up using a softer brush to get the effect though, or overlays

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FleetingEmber In reply to TheGameartist03 [2018-11-27 10:52:46 +0000 UTC]

Ahh good idea!

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TheGameartist03 In reply to FleetingEmber [2018-11-27 23:56:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks
I've only got one good example so far of that technique though if I remember correctly

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RioFluttershy [2018-11-26 00:49:33 +0000 UTC]

Nice ^^

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Myzarical-DS [2018-11-25 23:55:10 +0000 UTC]

Woah,that's really an amazing work!! You did so well with the colours,lightning and well,everything! And thnaks for showing the steps! It kinda helps me practicing cing my own art fuhu ;v;

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FleetingEmber In reply to Myzarical-DS [2018-11-26 11:05:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I'm so glad it helps! If you have any questions, just let me know!!

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rb10625 [2018-11-25 23:44:47 +0000 UTC]

One fireball at a time

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RevelNeko [2018-11-25 23:15:26 +0000 UTC]

Holy crap, that's amazing! I can't imagine how long that took you. The effort really pays off in the end! Nicely done!

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FleetingEmber In reply to RevelNeko [2018-11-26 11:04:51 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!! I'm glad it looks okay. This one didn't take me too long actually!

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TheDeviousShadow [2018-11-25 22:00:58 +0000 UTC]

Oh my gosh! The amount of effort put into this is amazing, your so talented!

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FleetingEmber In reply to TheDeviousShadow [2018-11-26 11:03:58 +0000 UTC]

Ahh thank you! This piece didn't actually take too long, I'd say about 7 hours?

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FantasyRebirth96 [2018-11-25 21:28:07 +0000 UTC]

Hey now, this is nice! Great job making this!

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Jyfox7 [2018-11-25 20:20:36 +0000 UTC]

BEAUTIFUL! AWESOME! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! Β 

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Doggutsz [2018-11-25 19:37:42 +0000 UTC]

Very nice!

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SpeedyEgg [2018-11-25 18:00:28 +0000 UTC]

Love it this is awesome although I wish the patient was a little faster

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FleetingEmber In reply to SpeedyEgg [2018-11-26 11:03:35 +0000 UTC]

Do you think I should speed up the transitions?

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SpeedyEgg In reply to FleetingEmber [2018-11-28 02:18:15 +0000 UTC]

Yes. But other than that like I said it's awesome

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LadyYomi [2018-11-25 17:50:04 +0000 UTC]

Awesome!!! Thanks for doing this!!

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WoofyKitten [2018-11-25 17:27:04 +0000 UTC]

amazing

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SummerWinds91 [2018-11-25 17:12:51 +0000 UTC]

cool

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KillaKababs [2018-11-25 16:43:23 +0000 UTC]

Yo thats lit and watching these step by steps sorta helps me out with my own drawings. Pssst do an igneel sometime soon yes

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FleetingEmber In reply to KillaKababs [2018-11-25 18:20:24 +0000 UTC]

Haha fantastic I'm really glad it helps! Ahhh I will have to see if I can at some point. I did start watching Fairy Tail years ago but only saw the first few episodes.

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KillaKababs In reply to FleetingEmber [2018-11-26 17:43:11 +0000 UTC]

Oh nice, but if you need ref for it I can send you some I'd love to see one done by you

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EyesofPythia [2018-11-25 15:11:03 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful piece!

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FleetingEmber In reply to EyesofPythia [2018-11-25 18:19:04 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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