Drawing Snapshot - Crab Living in a Sandcastle (Patreon)

Helloo again lovelies,

I recently drew this crab living in a sandcastle based on your votes in my last poll, but I haven't yet shown you how I drew it 😊🦀

I don't draw too many beachy scenes so this was something really fun and new to illustrate, in hindsight I think it's a little too heavily weighted to the right and maybe I should have drawn the tallest tower on the left - but that's ok!

So here's a quick breakdown of my drawing process and the colour palette that I used (you can download the palette below if you'd like to use it):

First, I drew a rough sketch of my composition. I knew that I wanted to have a classic sandcastle shape (the kind you make with a bucket and spade) but I didn't want it to be too angular so I added the more fluid mound of sand to the bottom.

Then I made the sketch layer about 30% opacity so that I would easily be able to see through it.

On new layers below I coloured in all of the main shapes, keeping things that are different colours on their separate layers.

I drew all of the shells on one layer in the same colour, but then added a clipping mask above that to add lots of lovely different colours to them to make them feel a bit more organic (and prettier!)

Then I started adding in lots of shading and texture using my texture brushes. I mostly used my 'textured pencil' brushes, 'soft sketchy texture' and 'soft crayon' brushes for this one.

I added lots of little details like specks of sand, shell details and of course some details for the crab as well!

And that was it!

 This cutie is also on the wallpapers for this month if you missed it!

💖