Simon the Zombie W/ Sketchbook Pro 5 & Wacom

Uuuuuggghhh..... Me want to show you...... how to draw. Me, Simon. Braaii....ummm DRAW!!!!!!

Well actually this is my creation! Meet Simon the zombie. He was a doodle and I gave him life. Now he is here in my instructable for you to see and possibly learn *my* way to creating a creature on a PC with Sketchbook pro 5 and a Wacom tablet (intuos3). You can use any drawing tablet that you have readily available. So come on, if you dare. BWAHAHAHAHA!

List of ingredients!

- Imagination
- Drawing (your best creature/monster/princess - it's endless folks)
- PC running Sketchbook Pro 5
- Wacom or equal tablet
- Imagination (yeah it's that important)
  *optional scanner

Step 1: Let's Get This Creature Started!

Hello everyone! This is to be my very first instructable!!! (roar of crowd and clapping). So what best to start with but an instructable for Halloween!?!?! I mean really? is there any better time? So here we go!!!

Step 1: IMAGINATION!!!!!

Step 2: Hold a drawing instrument and draw
Everyone knows how to draw. I know you do. Don't lie to me. We just met.This is a requirement for this lesson. If you pick up a drawing instrument (ex: crayon, pencil, pen, small rock, etc..) and make a scribble on any surface, congrats you drew something. You're qualified to continue. Way to go!!

Step 3.Find a subject that interests you
Bunnies? Vampire bunnies? Zombie vampire bunnies? Zombie vampire bunnies on fire? You are the king of this paper - make it yours. I drew several things in an old sketchbook of mine. I decided that I was more interested in zombies at this moment. So that will be my subject from here on out.

Step 4. This is a choose your own adventure (you know you love it)
   Door #1. Redraw your creation on the wacom or any other tablet.
   Door #2. Scan your drawing using any standard scanner.
   Door #3.  Fall into a pit with a dragon of despair and die of sheer boredom.

I wouldn't choose door #3. Just saying. I chose door #2 this time, but I have chosen door #1 also doing other pictures. This is completely in your hands. Use what you have and go with it. See pics below.

Step 4. Now is the fun part. GO CRAZY!
  Now we have come to a very exciting time in our lives that things can go whichever way we want. Always remember: You may think something may not look right, but they are your creations. Let them be what you want. That being said, it's time to start bringing your creation alive!!! It's alive!!!! It's alive!!! (almost).

Step 5. This is how I start
I take my drawing and open it in Sketchbook pro. I bring up all the toolbars in sketchbook Pro that I use.
- Layers
- Color Palette
- Tools
- Brushes

 I will be using various tools throughout this instructable. I leave it up to you to decide what you want to use to create your thing. I will say that I use the following tools mostly:

- Felt tip
- Airbrush
- Eraser
- Layers (you'll hear this A LOT)
- Copic marker (all various tips)

So toy around with each tool and decide which works for you. Just cause I use one thing doesn't mean you wouldn't want to do it another way.

Step 6. Layers!!
I use layers all the time. Layers are built in cheat sheets for art programs. You use a new layer over your image and try what you want and if it doesn't work then get rid of it. Your layers are very important. You switch which layer is on top or on bottom; This is handy when need to touch up any coloring or you want to add something to your drawing but are not quite sure if it looks right. USE YOUR LAYERS!! THEY HELP YOU!! Carry on.

 Ok, I take my original image and use the transparency slide to make it light. You can see in my pics the difference between how dark and light it is. This will help us make a true outline and give our creation a digital life.Ok on to the next page!

Step 2: Bring It to LIFE!!!!!!

Step 7. Layer it up!
I've said before and and I will say it again. You can never go wrong with layers. They are there for the good of humanity and your sanity. That being said, I will use layers at every moment I feel it neccesary. While the creative juices flow I will change and tweak many times as I go. Everytime I do this I use a layer. If it looks good then I will merge it with the outline layer, not the original sketch layer/scan. You can lock that layer if you want. I just keep it on the bottom. I create a layer just for coloring. I move this layer behind my outline layer. Keep the color layer selected so you can color and erase as needed. This makes it a WHOLE LOT easier than messing up your outline. Keep that one nice and neat.

Step 8. Flipping, Flipping and flipping out.
Now that I have layers to go back and forth with, I want to make sure everything lines up just nice for poor Simon. I don't want him blaming me for not lining up that rocking tie or coloring his tongue the right color. I use layers for everything. As you will see on each pic that I have, the Layers will increase and decrease. Once it looks ok to me, I merge a layer together. Remember that this works like a over head projector from school (if you remember those). You take a transparent (clear) sheet and draw a line. Then take another sheet (clear) and draw a circle. Now lay them on top of each other and move them around as you feel. Same difference. For every little creative spurt that I have, a layer will be made (just in case). Flipping back and forth lets you tweak what needs to be changed without other parts of the pic being affected.

Step 9. Coloring your vampire zombie bunnies on fire... or whatever.
Create a layer and use it strictly for coloring your creation. This is what defines the character and who/what they become. So this means: You can keep it black and white. But come on - Where would be the blood be without it's reddish color? I'll tell ya, black. So let's start by moving this layer behind our outline layer. This is good for one reason, when you see the color go outside the lines you can erase it as you go. Paying close attention to your tight areas by zooming in and adjusting your brush sizes using the adjusting tool (see pic for location). You can bring the layers back and forth if needed. This just allows you to see one on top of the other. Check out the pics below; they have some other little tips I use.

Step 3:

Step 10. Add a little more color to tell the tale.
  Adding color to your creation is what makes it yours. Laying color on top of color gives it depth. It also gives it a story. I was coloring with no intention of doing anything but getting Simon a little closer to his debut. As I colored in his hand and the table I noticed a prime opportunity to add some story to this. Why not add some blood to the table as to say "SImon, you naughty boy. You've been hard at it again.". So I added blood to the table. That is me using my imagination folks. *wink*

Step 11. Yep. Added another layer.
Ok, this is a good example of layering colors. So when coloring his sweater I had no idea what colors to use. I went through several different variations and just scribbled across it to get the idea. Then because it's with a new layer I pulled the outline to the top so the color could be seen under it. Now I start erasing the color that goes outside the lines. I then added a crisscross pattern on top to give the idea of the sweater texture. Looking sharp Simon!

Next!

Step 4: All Good Things Must Come to an End. *sniff*

Step 12. Are we through talking about layers? No.
Ok, I have discussed layers several times. Now Simon has a table and looks pretty lively (as lively as a zombie gets). But the one thing that he is missing is a good background. Since my original drawing didn't have a background, I didn't bother including one. I think it's time for one now. I add a new layer for this also. Using my airbrush tool, and increasing the flow and size. I start making circles from the center out. I start with a light color. Once I have a good looking color base, I darken my colors a little and start further out from the center. So as you can see, I do this until the background suits Simon's needs. Let me add that this layer once again is on top of everything as of right now. I then went in and used the erasing tool to clean up, so as not to mess up my color scheme when I move the layer behind Simon. If not, then you will see blue wherever there is white or it will make your colors all funky looking because of the blue behind your layers.

Step 13. Adding a little Pizazz to finish up!
Now I need to double check everything for any missed areas. The mood and feeling I was trying to create was successful, and all details are just like I want them. Here are few of the touch-ups I did.

- Flies' wings had blue behind them. Fixed!
- Wall needed something else. Added "Happy Halloween from Simon" written in blood using felt pen.
- Arm didn't quite look right to me. I erased a little of my outline and re-drew the outline fitting to my needs and added sweater color to new area.
- Colored a section of his arm that I totally over looked! My bad, Simon.
- Shading added to behind tie.
- Added details to face, neck and hands using felt pen. Wrinkles, spots, wounds etc..
  and done! Well as far as I'm concerned.

I hope this helps someone. I enjoy making things like this and giving someone inspiration to do the same! If you like this I will be submitting this to the Draw it! Paint it! contest so please vote for me! Thank you for looking at my instructable and Simon says "Thanks" also.