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So, I made this many months ago to present. It's some insight on how I design and draft fast. Might be helpful to some peeps that feel they could use some shortcuts. Mind you, this is what works for me. (Thread)
I tend to edit a lot of things. Back in the day I did a lot of emotion sheets and just changed my character's expressions. This has been something I use constantly. Editing existing work gives you a starting point when your brain refuses to work, or if you wanna be quick.
I also have worked in Game Design, so I create Asset libraries for myself. I make a ton of drawings, and drag and drop art. This works very well for natural environments and saves a heap of time. You can easily build bgs this way. Small edits make things look less reused.
This is some old game assets I did a long time ago. These all came from the same rock, tree and bush. All I did was warp, and paint over to make small changes. These assets took little time to make, and they look hugely different.
You can also save time by subtracting details. This example is exaggerated, but getting rid of noise can bring more focus to your scene, and save you time. Do it in a way that looks artistic and purposeful. Detailed bgs are fun but can take a long time.
They style you draw with is a set of rules. A viewer expects things to look a certain way. Use that to your advantage and design things that make your life easier. It's not just about what looks good, it's about making your life easier. Creating a style guide can help a lot.
You can also save some time with characters. Is this pretty? Nyope. It's not correct either. However, building a pose on top gave me a starting point to figure out what I wanted. The blank page can be intimidating and this is a good way to start brainstorming. Clean it later.
Photoshop has taught me the art of mashing Assets together. It's a really useful skill many concept artists use. This can be great for drafting and painting. This looks crude but I can read it, think about it, and decide if it works. Is this the shot I want?
Don't be afraid of drawing "Ugly." It's crucial to figuring out how to draw pretty. Developing shorthands are a great way to get a character down fast without going the stick figure route. It's not just for those in animation. It can save time in many other areas too.
It's a lot easier to draw over a shorthand than a stick figure, but in the end whatever works best for you is the best choice! This tip is just how I do designs on sleeves and clothes. It's quick, dirty and gets the idea across. The little details can make something feel better.
Lastly, explore your own shortcuts. It isn't being lazy, it's smart design. Save yourself some pain and think about where you can take shortcuts. You will naturally get faster the more you draw and experiment. You would be surprised how much you can convey in a few lines.
These tips won't help you with spelling errors though! Ever since Spanish class...spelling hasn't been the same. Anyway, those are just some things I use in my everyday. I may share more in the future. If yah made it this far, grab yourself a Holy Water you deserve it.
