I am Ari, a Concept Artists.
In this article, I will introduce “How to Draw a Background to Accompany a Character Illustration (Eye Level Upper and Lower)”.
By learning this method, you will be able to draw a natural background behind the character you have drawn.
If you draw the character first and then have trouble figuring out how to draw the background…! This method will be especially helpful for those who draw the character first and then have trouble figuring out how to draw the background. The video introduces the method in the simplest way possible.
The equipment and apps used in this article are iPad and Procreate; please try Adobe Photoshop, CLIP STUDIO PAINT, and other apps as well, as you can also draw by applying the concept.
If you are not sure which illustration app to use, please refer to this page. Here is a summary of recommended apps.
The video provides detailed explanations. If you want to check it out thoroughly, please click here.
In the video, we explain in detail while drawing. If you want to check it out, please click here.
→How to Draw a Background to Match a Character [Eye Level Chest]
In this article, we will use one-point and two-point perspectives to draw the background. If you don’t understand perspective, eye level, and two-point perspective, please refer to this article and video. If you don’t know what perspective and eye level are, please refer to this article and video.
→What are perspective and one-point perspective? Environment Art Rudiments
→Easy Explanation! The Basics of Two-point and Three-point Perspective [Environment Art Rudimentary]
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How to Match the Background to the Character Illustration
Decide on the eye level
Eye-level…the height of the eyes of the person looking at the scene.
It is easy to decide the eye level by considering who is looking at the scene.
Roughly decide where the viewer is looking from: “from above,” “around the chest,” or “from below. The “chest area” is often used for the eye level, so if you are not sure, place the eye level at this location.
Prepare a photo of the material.
If you have background material, you can draw the illustration more smoothly.
“Under the eye level / Two-point perspective” Actual drawing
Prepare a rough sketch of the character.
When drawing a close-up illustration, if possible, reduce the size of the image so that the entire image can be seen.
You can set the eye level in the close-up state, but if you are not used to it, it may be easier to draw in a smaller size.
Set the eye level
Set the eye level lower. It is safe to assume that the previous eye level was set at the chest level, but it has been shifted down.
Set the vanishing point in the drawing guide.
Set the vanishing point to eye level using Procreate’s “Drawing Guide” tool. You can select it from the spanner symbol in the upper left tool.
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Drawing the background
(1) Draw the ground surface and corners of the room with the floor.
It is easier to draw the background if you draw them first, as they will give you an idea of where the character is sitting (or standing).
(2) Draw furniture and patterns.
Draw them while paying attention to the size. Backgrounds not used in the illustration can be drawn simply.
Trimming the illustration
Trim where necessary, and you’re done! Let’s start drawing.
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“On the eye level / Two-point perspective” Actual drawing
In “Above Eye Level,” you can draw in the same way as below by simply raising the eye level.
The video below shows the actual drawing, so if you would like to see it in detail, please watch the video below.
Detailed Explanation Video
In the video, detailed explanations are given while drawing. If you want to check it out thoroughly, please click here.
Related Videos
Please also see this video for reference on how to match the characters and background.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you “How to draw a background to match a character illustration (above and below eye level)”.
If you are not used to drawing the background after drawing the character illustration, it is often difficult to draw the background.
It is fun to be able to draw the background as you imagined it with eye level in mind, so please give it a try!
Thank you for watching until the end.
See you again in my next post!
