Repulsive Graphics [CFCU]

5🔹Mystalline

This is actually my first attempt at making a solid OC [original character]. Her name is Mystalline and she is the main character of my incoming illustrated fantasy novel, The Death of a Dream.

Making OC Illustrations/portraits is a difficult process. You need to have a solid understanding of who they are and you also need to be able to show the kind of person they are without words.

Drawing process: [12 hours w/ naps]
I started with a mood/character board. It's basically a collage of pictures that help you understand the vibe and look of your character.

Once I had that down, I started to sketch out her face. Since this is is just a simple portrait, I sketched her out centered and not in some complicated angle just so I can get a look-see as to what she's like.

Unlike my other sketches, I've decided to use reference lines to really nail the look I wanted her to have: slightly long face with pouty lips, narrow eyes, and hair that flies all over her face. I also wanted her to hold the music symbol for rest because music is a huge part of her character.

Next, I colored her gray and gave her hair a darker gray. This isn't really how she'll look; rather this is a popular style of painting called grayscale. It's when you map out the shadows and highlights [otherwise known as values] before adding color. In the next few pictures, you'll see me trying to work out the shadows and stuff. I mirror the image every so often to check for any discrepancies.