How We Create a Coloring Post
Table of Contents
Sometimes the best posts aren’t planned, they just happen.
A few sketches, a bit of mood, that moment when colors start to feel like emotions and plenty of coffee. That’s the story behind this coloring post.
Let’s see how it turned into something everyone can relate to!
Vibe Check
Gotta set the mood before the colors roll in!
Before diving into the sketch, we always check the vibe, basically where we decide what feeling relatable the drawing should have. Cozy, sleepy or maybe a little “whatever” kind of day.
Sketching Time
Now comes the fun part with sketching! It’s messy, fun and full of “oops, that’s actually cute” moments.
Sketching time means letting ideas flow. We test out expressions, play with simple lines and see which pumpkin mood fits the story best.
It might take a few tries to get it right, but this stage is where everything begins. A solid sketch builds the foundation for everything that comes after.
Lining it up
When the sketch finally looks balanced, we fade it down a bit and start tracing those confident lines.
This step in the digital art coloring process feels so satisfying when the shapes settle in, the lines feel smooth and everything starts to come together.
Perfect lines are nice, but sometimes the ones with a little wobble tell the story better!
Base Colors On
We love this part, laying down the base colors and testing how the palette works together. It’s where we balance tones, check contrast, and make sure the lighting feels right.
Tip: keep your base tones a bit lighter than you think, it’s easier to build depth later than to tone it down.
Final Touch
Now for the final touch, adding soft shading, tiny highlights, and a few gel pen pops. In this step-by-step coloring illustration, those small touches give the drawing real depth and charm.
And just like that, our little pumpkin looks as cute as we imagined and is ready to hit save🎃
FAQs
I’m new to digital coloring, where do I start?
Begin by sketching rough shapes, then switch to a new layer for clean line art. Next, block in base colors before adding shading and details. This order helps you stay organized and calm.
How many layers should I use when coloring digitally?
There’s no fixed number, but a common flow is: sketch at bottom, line art above, then base-color layer, shading/lighting layers, highlights layer.
Why does my coloring look muddy or flat?
Often because color values (light vs dark) or saturation aren’t varied. Try blocking clear base tones, choose a distinct light source, then add shadows/highlights to lift it.
How do I choose a good color palette?
Think about mood first (warm, cool, playful). Then pick base colors, add one or two accent colors, and test how they read together at small size. It’s okay to tweak as you go.
What brush should I use for base colors in digital art?
A simple soft round or flat brush works great for base colors. Avoid fancy textures until later. This keeps your concept clear and lets you build from a strong foundation.
Do I need to fully finish base colors before shading?
It’s helpful but not mandatory. Having a rough base lets you see forms and values; you can still tweak colors while you shade, but a clear base gives you peace of mind.
What’s a quick tip for clean line art before coloring?
Lower your sketch layer’s opacity, put a fresh layer on top, and trace with clean strokes. It gives you a crisp line art to color underneath.
How do I add finishing touches that make my art pop?
Use small highlights (white or light color), soft shadows, and subtle gel-pen style effects or overlay layers. These tiny details bring depth and personality.
