Bridal Boudoir: Process (Patreon)

1. Rough sketch. First I work out a rough sketch of the pose, a nice close-up in a boudoir photography style.

2. Detailed pencils. Next I sketch in all the details, the expression, the clothing, and a simple background.

3. Inking. I ink everything in vectors, splitting it up into separate inked layers so that I can work on the transparent peignoir and veil separately from the character.

4. Color blocking and lace. Next is basic color blocking in Photoshop. Although I want the lingerie to appear white, it's important not to actually use pure white because then you can't put in any bright highlights. I also drew in the lace by hand. I drew it as thick white lines and then applied a stroked layer effect.

5. Form shading. On a new layer, I paint in all the basic form shading, using linear burn blend mode on a solid fill layer. I used a dark reddish-brown to create rosy, intimate feeling.

6. Backlight. On a new layer, I paint in thin backlights on the edges in the deepest parts of the form shadows. I used a pale pink, similar to the color of the lingerie of the bedding, as if the backlight is reflected light from the bedding.

7. Cast shadows. On a new layer, I paint black cast shadows, making sure to follow the form and distance where needed and don't forget to paint a little shadow right onto the eyeball, cast by the eyelashes.

8. Shine. Painting in the white shiny parts is always fun. Remember to keep the light source in mind so that the shinies are all consistent. I used a simple white layer for most of the shinies with a separate layer for the hair shinies, which is done in a white layer set to overlay blend mode.

9. Line color. Painting in the line color gives the figure a softer, touchable realism.

10. Special layers. Next is filling in the special layers, the veil as a simple semi-transparent solid, the peignoir as two semi-transparent layers with form shading.

11. Final details. I add the details on the eyes, painting in the little variations in the iris, adding soft feathery eyelashes. I drop a little sparkle onto the wedding band. And I added a sequined phrase to the panties for humorous effect.