If you are a beginning digital art who is learning how to use layers, brush tools and more, this is a really fun activity for you! For this activity, I use an awesome free program called kleki.com. I really love this program because it doesn’t distract new users with a TON of functions and options. It has the core essentials, and I really think that “less is more” works well when learning how to draw digitally. This post is going to show you step by step instructions for how to take a digital graffiti wall. The post has a video and step by step photos for you to complete at your own pace.
I highly recommend if you are a newbie to digital drawing that you invest in a digital drawing tablet. My personal favorite is the Wacom Intuos. The set up is easy, it’s petite but effective, and the stylus has a great feel on the tablet surface. There are lots of pressure points and I just love the response of my marks to the computer.
Step by step video tutorial:
Step 1:
Add a layer. Rename it ‘Sketch’
Step 2:
Sketch out the letters you want to write on your digital wall. This is sketch layer that will be deleted, so don’t worry about perfection!
Step 3:
Add a layer. Rename it ‘lettering’
Step 4:
Use a dark black brush to create your graffiti font. Explore bubble letters or a style of your choice. Add some shadows to create dimension to your letters. Then, delete or hide the ‘sketch’ layer.
Step 5:
Clean up any edges or lines with an eraser.
Step 6:
Add a layer. Rename it ‘color’ and drag it below the ‘lettering’ layer.
Step 7:
Begin adding color. Explore different brushes, blending, and opacity to achieve a airbrush/spray paint appearance.
Step 8:
Click ‘file’ tab and click ‘import.’ Add a picture of a wall. I used this image here from pixabay.com, as it has a Creative Commons license. Be sure to click ‘AS LAYER’ and stretch it to fit your digital canvas.
Step 9:
Drag your brick wall layer below the ‘color’ and ‘lettering’ layers.
Step 10:
Add any final touches you’d like and be sure to save your final work by clicking the ‘file’ tab and ‘save’
Hope you enjoyed this fun tutorial! Feel free to leave comments and feedback. I’d love to see your work as well if you’d like to share what you’ve created @makeamarkstudios on Instagram or email me at makeamarkstudios@gmail.com.
Enjoyed this activity? Check out another digital drawing tutorial about how to draw a 1/2 face digital portrait.
-Stephanie Villiotis