It’s the end of Mermay – that is, the illustration challenge with mermaids for May. It’s a good excuse to go back to 2023, when I managed to complete the whole challenge, and talk about my process of painting in watercolor style, but in digital form.
If you prefer to watch – I described the process in a video on YT, and also described step by step if you prefer to read.
Vacation break in May and the first sketch
In May 2023, I did not plan to participate in Mermay – we were away for long May weekend (we have such in Poland in the begining of this month), there were no conditions or time for a serious drawing. But I had my sketchbook, pencil and iPad with me….
While Bartek watched the birds across the marshes and meadows, I reached for the sketchbook – and that’s how I created the first sketch of the mermaid. From many.
I took a photo of the drawing with my iPad and decided to finish the illustration digitally (easier, quicker). I opened Procreate, reached for my Watercolor digital brushes and finished the picture in a few hours – mostly in the car.
The experience was so enjoyable that I continued the challenge – illustrations were created in Procreate, Infinite Painter and upon my return – also in Rebelle.
My process of digital watercolor
Step 1: Traditional sketch
I started each job with a sketch in a sketchbook – often literally on my knee.
I used:
- blue copy pencil
- a red automatic HB pencil for details
When traveling, a photo of the sketch taken with an iPad was enough, and when I returned – I scanned the sketches.
Step 2: Refine the sketch in a graphic app
- I imported the sketch into a graphics app on iPad
- I lowered its transparency
- On a new layer (in Multiply mode) in the same color, I refined the details
- I merged the layers, precisely cut the figure from the background
Stage 3: Color – digital watercolor
I applied color on separate layers in Multiply mode, using a clipping mask (a layer placed over the layer with the sketch). This ensured that the color did not go beyond the outline of the figure.
Usually:
- I used 2-3 layers with underlying colors, sometimes with shadows (Multiply) and highlights (Overlay)
- I reduced the opacity of the layer if the shadows became too dominant, to keep the illustration light
- I would add a layer without a mask to let the color “spill” out of the shape – like in traditional watercolor
Procreate
In Procreate, I mainly used my own set of brushes designed to imitate traditional watercolor.
- Sketches: Soft Pencil or 6B Pencil from the basic set
- Color: color-mixing brushes that mimic wet paints (e.g., Smudge Color N, Light Watercolor N) , then mostly brushes that work in Multiply mode (Soft Bristle, Aquarelle, Watercolor Basic Texture, Watercolor Basic)
- usually I did not use an additional layer with paper texture above the drawing, because the brushes used had a lot of watercolor textures in them
I wrote more about how my brush set works in the post Watercolor Brushes for Procreate.
Examples of mermaids created in Procreate
Infinite Painter
At the time, I didn’t have my own set of brushes ready in Infinite Painter – I was just starting to create them.
I mainly used the default brushes from the Watercolors folder – some of them gave interesting strokes with darker edges, others spilled or faded. They were great for applying base loose color, but I was a bit lacking in precision when painting details, and among other reasons I felt the need to create my own watercolor brushes for Infinite Painter
Tools used in Infinite Painter:
- Proko Pencil (available with the app) for sketch corrections
- Brushes from the Watercolor folder (available with the app)
- Smudge tool with all layers sampled enabled – ideal for adding smudges and blurs on a separate layer without interfering with the original layers
This app is less stable than Procreate, it also does a weaker job of handling larger files, but it offers more advanced tools and I really like painting in it.
Several mermaids created in Infinite Painter
Rebelle
Procreate and Infinite Painter served me well on the road, where I could finish illustrations while driving or lounging in a recliner. When I got home, I sat down at my computer and turned on Rebelle.
Rebelle is an app that not only faithfully reproduces the look of watercolor paints (as well as oil , dry media and others), but also painting in it resembles the process itself.
Colors spill over, water and the direction of paint flow matter – this makes the effects more natural and unpredictable.
Although painting in Rebelle is so different from using brushes in other graphics apps, the process itself looked identical. Spilling paint added a spontaneous lightness, but also made it difficult to fully control the image. That’s why clipping masks in this case were very useful. And yet, on separate layers, I added more stains and streaks so the whole thing wouldn’t come off too stiff.
Rebelle’s biggest flaw? After so many years since its release, there is still no iPad app. Like: c’mon!
That’s the main reason why I don’t paint in Rebelle as often as I’d like (I don’t sitting long hours at my desk anymore).
Syrenki z Rebelle
I mentioned Rebelle many times on my blog. To get an in-depth look at Rebelle 7 I recommend the post with winter digital watercolor in Rebelle .
It’s also worth taking a look at the programs’ developers’ website and trying out the free trial version.
Mermay 2023 – 31 mermaids, 3 apps, 1 technique
I managed to create 31 digital illustrations in the style of digital watercolor. This is my first completed monthly illustration challenge. I have tried many times with Inktober (my Inktober attempts and thoughts) without success. Meanwhile, with Mermay in 2023, it went like a charm!
Why was it successful?
- I knew well and liked the technique I chose
- I didn’t plan to complete the challenge, so I didn’t feel pressure
- when I managed to do a dozen or so illustrations without much trouble, I felt that completing the whole challenge was possible
- I set myself a goal, which was to get similar results regardless of the app and tools
- Mermaid theme – it is impossible to get bored with them!
Real watercolor
Only one of all illustrations was created from start to finish traditionally – I painted the sketch with real watercolors. Does it stand out from those painted digitally?
Do you take part in such challenges?
Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever completed Mermay or another monthly challenge!
Or do you have your favorite techniques for creating watercolor-style digital illustrations?
I’d love to read about your experiences – regardless of the program you create in!
