Drawing can be challenging, but with the right instructions and guidance, you can create amazing artwork that you can be proud of. In this tutorial, we will show you how to draw Deadshot, one of the popular DC villains. Deadshot is a skilled marksman, usually depicted carrying a large array of handheld firearms. Although it may seem daunting at first, this tutorial is perfect for beginners and will walk you through the drawing process step-by-step.
Materials Required
Before we get started, gather the following materials:
- Pencil
- Eraser (preferably a kneaded eraser)
- Medium weight paper (sketchbook or drawing pad)
- Reference photo of Deadshot (optional)
Step 1: Sketching the Basic Shape
Begin by drawing a circle for the head and an elongated trapezoid shape for the body. Lightly sketch two lines down the center of the later for the character’s centerline. Draw a curve for the chest in the circle.
Step 2: Drawing the Arms and Legs
Next, sketch the arms and legs using simple shapes. The arms should be elongated cylinders, while the legs are cylinder shapes with a slight curve inwards. Sketch lightly so that you can erase if necessary.
Step 3: Adding Details to the Head
Now define the face and head. Add facial features such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. Deadshot has a full beard and mustache, add that detail. Draw the weapons on his back.
Step 4: Building the Character’s Body Structure
In this step, you’ll need to build on your simple shapes by refining the details. Use the lines you’ve sketched to define the body and clothing. Add the outline of his body armor on his chest. Draw straps on his chest areas.
Step 5: Sketching the Guns
Deadshot is often depicted as carrying a large array of firearms. Sketch in the handguns and machine guns on his back. Erase a little bit around areas where you’re not happy with to make the shape more defined.
Step 6: Outlining and Inking
In this step, begin to finalize the image, outlining and inking in your pencil marks. Darken and thicken the lines which you’re satisfied with. After inking, let it dry.
Step 7: Shading
Now it’s time to shade the character using a variety of techniques. Start by shading the face, adding shadows to the curve above its eyes and below the nose. Use softer shading for his suit and equipment. If you want to add additional depth, add highlights to the side of his armor. Make sure the shading isn’t too dark.
Step 8: Smudging
Once you’re happy with the shading, use your finger or tissue paper to smudge the shading to blend it. Continue refining the image.
Step 9: Finishing Touch
Now that you’ve shaded and smudged, it’s time to refine the image you’ve been working on. Clean the smudges around the character’s form. Use a kneaded eraser to highlight edges where the light reflects off the body armor, providing a realistic texture.
Step 10: Final Check
The finishing touch is checking the final work for any errors and cleaning. Remember to take a step back and look at the drawing as a whole. Make sure it looks like the reference photo and that there are no glaring errors.
Summary
Drawing Deadshot can be a rewarding and satisfying task, but it requires practice and patience. It’s critical to have a clear image of Deadshot in your mind, or you can use a reference picture as a guide. With this step-by-step guide, anyone can learn to draw Deadshot with ease.
FAQs
Q1: How do I avoid my sketches looking shaky?
Drawing line upon line can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to create smooth curves or straight lines. To help, try gripping your pencil in a way that’ll allow you to draw with long strokes rather than just with the wrist. You can also improve your strength and control by drawing straight lines repeatedly as a daily exercise.
Q2: Do I need to learn to draw a head before moving on to the body?
While understanding the proportions of the human head is critical, but it’s not necessary to draw the head first and then move on to the body. The steps involved in creating Deadshot will guide you to create both simultaneously without any difficulty.
Q3: How do I make my drawing look 3D?
The simplest way of achieving the 3D effect is by adding shadow and highlights to your sketches. You can think of highlights as places on the surface where the light is directly falling on and the shadow as places away from the light source.
Q4: Is there any particular pen I can use for inking?
Any pen can be used for inking, but it depends on personal preference entirely. The type of pen you use can also influence the final outcome of your art piece. Some of the best pens for inking include microns, brush pens, and fountain pens.
Q5: How do I decide on the position for the light source?
A general rule is to place the light source at an angle that will allow the shadows to be underneath or on the opposite side of the form. A light source placed to the left or right of the character’s face can highlight its profile as well.
Q6: Can Deadshot be drawn in a different pose than the one shown in the reference?
Yes, as an artist, you have the freedom to draw Deadshot in any pose you desire. You can use the guidelines available in this tutorial and reference image to create your preferred pose.