Art Commissions by Kelly Mulry – The Whole Process

The Art Process – Vibrant Daydreams

You’ve never done this before – whether it’s commissioning an art piece in general or specifically one for me. You want to know what to expect.

I am here to deliver that to you.

Part 1: The Sketch

Step 0: Thumbnail Sketch

Usually called a “thumbnail sketch” by most of the world that I sometimes use "concept doodle" instead.

The thumbnail sketch is where your idea finally starts to take physical form. It’s no longer just an exchange of words and ideas, but a tangible collection of lines.

How to Decipher the Thumbnail Sketch

I get it – the thumbnail sketch can sometimes be difficult to decipher.

I typically send a short paragraph explaining what the thumbnail sketch is representing.

However, you may wish to understand the different parts of the it.

Here is a video to do just that:

Step 1: Base Sketch

Foundations are important and drawing the perfect anime art piece for you is no exception. All my pieces start with a collection of circles and lines that truly help to shape the piece. It allows me to get the pose just right and visually balance the piece with the right proportions for my style.

Don’t be shocked by the “nakedness” of the base – it’s no different someone wearing a body suit.

Step 2: Details

Truly, this is where the piece made especially for you starts to take shape. I first start with the shape of the body to provide the most solid base for everything else to lay on top of it. Just like the base, please do not be alarmed by it’s “nakedness” – it lacks any explicit details and is strictly used to better draw the rest of the details.

Details are drawn in two or more colors in order to help differentiate the lines.

Once everything has been sketch, I clean up unnecessary overlapping lines to create the perfect finished piece polished to perfect. Then I change the lines to a single color: black.

Part 2: The Color

Step 3: Base Color

The first step into the world of Vibrant Daydreams is to apply the base color that provides the foundation for all other colors. My base color is always white.

You’ll notice that during the process of doing the base color that I temporary change it to another color. This is done in order to tell the difference between the layers – after all, the base color is white for everything.

Why can’t you just use the white canvas background?

I have experimented with this before and I did not like the results.

It causes issues with my “lighten by eraser” technique (see “Flat Color”).

I also cannot do a transparent background if I just use the white canvas. This most likely will not be a problem for most people, but this could be a problem for businesses and content creators. The ability to put the character over any background can be pretty important.

For these reasons, I always put down a base color.

Step 4: Flat Color

This is where Vibrant Daydreams goes from black & white to full color. The best colors are chosen to really start bringing everything all together.

Once the flat color is applied, I go through with an “eraser” tool within the program that creates a soft-airbrush sort of look that allows for the white base color to peek through. The color no longer looks flat – it’s now a beautiful gradient of white to the colors chosen.

→ Is your piece based on a pre-existing character? If it’s a flat animation drawing, I often will just use the “eyedropper” tool to pull the most accurate colors to make them true-to-life!

Step 5: Shading

Shading is what turns a flat image into something more three-dimensional.

It elevates your piece to the next level. See the strands of hair and the folds in the clothing. Start to see the character come to life!

Please Note: Once I start shading, I cannot make changes to anything but the textures & overlays.

Step 6: Background

If it’s not meant to be transparent, you get a background to really help pull everything together…but we’re not done yet!

Step 7: Textures, Overlays, & Effects

This is where the “vibrant” in “Vibrant Daydreams” comes from! Your personalized anime artwork gets elevated to the next level with otherworldly textures, gradients, and brushes to create a truly one-of-a-kind vibrant daydream just for you!

The Art Process – Chibi

You’ve never done this before – whether it’s commissioning an art piece in general or specifically one for me. You want to know what to expect.

I am here to deliver that to you.

Part 1: The Lineart

Step 0: Thumbnail Sketch

Usually called a “thumbnail sketch” by most of the world that I sometimes use "concept doodle instead.

The thumbnail sketch is where your idea finally starts to take physical form. It’s no longer just an exchange of words and ideas, but a tangible collection of lines.

How to Decipher the Thumbnail Sketch

I get it – the thumbnail sketch can sometimes be difficult to decipher.

I typically send a short paragraph explaining what the thumbnail sketch is representing.

However, you may wish to understand the different parts of the it.

Here is a video to do just that:

Note: This process may start during our conversation in order to speed-up the process. It depends on my schedule.

Step 1: Base

Foundations are important and drawing the perfect anime art piece for you is no exception. All my pieces start with a collection of circles and lines that truly help to shape the piece. It allows me to get the pose just right and visually balance the piece with the right proportions for my style.

Don’t be shocked by the “nakedness” of the base – it’s no different someone wearing a body suit.

Step 2: Details

Truly, this is where the piece made especially for you starts to take shape. I first start with the shape of the body to provide the most solid base for everything else to lay on top of it. Just like the base, please do not be alarmed by it’s “nakedness” – it lacks any explicit details and is strictly used to better draw the rest of the details.

Details are drawn in two or more colors in order to help differentiate the lines.

Once everything has been sketch, I move onto the lineart

Step 3: Lineart

I use a thicker digital pen to outline the outside of your artwork, then use a thinner one for all the details.

Once the lineart is completed, I move onto coloring.

Part 2: The Color

Step 4: Base Color

I use the very handy paint bucket tool to quickly apply color to your piece.

The base color is typically put onto a single layer with the exception to facial details.

I often hide the facial details in order to make this process more quick and efficient. If you've booked a livestream session with me, don't be surprised if the face disappears for a bit!

Step 5: Shading

Shading is quickly applied using a combination of the digital pens, paint bucket, and this magical little feature called a "clipping layer" on top of the base color.

Any lines that fall out of bounds are hidden thanks to the handy "clipping layer" feature.

Step 6: Background

If it’s not meant to be transparent, you get a background to really help pull everything together…but we’re not done yet!

Step 7: Textures, Overlays, & Effects – Where Applicable

Textures, overlays, and effects may be applied to the background to make it POP (or at least be visually interesting to look at).

They may be applied to the main piece itself as well, if applicable. A use-case may be the glow of a cellphone.