Shapes & Values: Technical Keys for Shadow Twins (File + Process)

Hey everyone,

Here are some insights about the process behind 'Shadow.' Let's dive in!

Inspiration
The spark for this character design came from a video on Twitter featuring two cats wandering the streets at night. One is a white cat marked by gray dots on its head and back, walking side by side with a black cat. Initially, it appears as though the black cat is merely a shadow of the white one they move in sync and remain close to each other. However, upon closer inspection, it's evident they are distinct beings. This visual dynamic inspired me to craft a "twins" illustration with two characters that are eerily similar, yet fundamentally different one in black and the other in white. Hence, the name "Shadow."

Shapes
To initiate the illustration, I began with two broad shapes to establish the anatomy and posture, envisioning the cats as young women in their 20s. In accordance with the video's impression, I conceived them as physically close, arms interlocked. There's a moment in the video where the black cat's eyes, bright white and gleaming, are all that can be discerned against its dark form. This captivating contrast served as an early focus for me. Utilizing the "Limberto - Hard Shapes" brush, I sketched the figures as slender and tall. At this stage, the costumes remained undefined, serving more as general suggestions of style think tight clothing or possibly skirts that could capture the feline essence while incorporating some exaggerated elements like oversized jackets or unique hairstyles.

Costume Reference
Once satisfied with the foundational shapes, I delved into my collection of saved references and scoured Pinterest for additional inspiration. Often, the search begins ambiguously, guided by an organic process that solidifies over time. My initial focus was on clothing elements that could disrupt the established shapes, such as boots adorned with multiple straps extending from knee to foot. Eventually, I discovered an image of a woman wearing a versatile motorcycle jacket that could be partially transformed into a skirt. This reference also featured long tails that complemented the outfit, contrasting with my initial line art, which depicted the women with short hair.

Values and Colors
One challenge was maintaining the visibility of the black character's line art while emphasizing her bright white eyes. Striking a balance between being dark enough to be intriguing, yet clear enough to allow for expression was key. As for color variations, I incorporated different hues into their clothing details, similar to the references I'd been using. For instance, one arm bore a handwritten "Meow!" while a shirt displayed the word "milk." Textural elements like cat patterns adorned the white character's yoga pants.

Shadows can present their own challenges. On lighter surfaces, the shadows are often imbued with subtle, cold undertones that don't overwhelm the white. For darker areas, it's crucial to ensure that the shadow is discernible without obscuring essential line art. Shadows should add volume and texture but not eclipse other details unless intentionally so.

Details
For finishing touches, I added small, vivid patches of color to the jackets. The black character's jacket had a phosphorescent green inner lining, while a hint of purple was visible near the white character's neck. Although the illustration was already rich in detail covering shapes, values, and expressions I felt it could benefit from a splash of color. Introducing vibrant colors into a predominantly black and white composition can easily dominate the viewer's attention, but in this case, I decided the risk was worth taking.

Feel free to dive deeper into these nuances by checking out the video and PSD files.

.

Welcome to all new patrons! Feel free to ask any questions here in the comments, via DMs on Patreon, or in our Discord group. I'm eager to help and witness your growth.

For more information, check out our Patreon FAQ: https://ramonn90.myportfolio.com/faq and Patreon Catalogue: https://ramonn90.myportfolio.com/work

Your support makes this content possible, thank you