Blending Photography with 2D Art
Creating backgrounds can be a challenging aspect of art. As a character illustrator, I often struggle with drawing backgrounds that complement the characters I create. In professional industries, there are often separate roles: background artists and character illustrators. However, for solo artists, both tasks fall on one individual. To make this process more efficient, blending photography with 2D art can be a game-changer, saving both time and effort while opening up creative possibilities.
Photography as a Background
Traditionally, 2D animations feature hand-drawn or even 3D-rendered backgrounds. However, advancements in technology have introduced new mediums and methods. With just a smartphone or camera, you can capture photographs and use them as backgrounds for your art. These photos can then be imported into a drawing software and drawn over to blend seamlessly with your 2D creations.
This unique art style is showcased in popular media, such as The Amazing World of Gumball. While the show experiments with various art styles, it stands out for its innovative use of backgrounds. By combining photographs, images, and 3D assets in Photoshop, the show creates dynamic, visually engaging settings that complement its animated characters.
This technique isn’t exclusive to animation. On social media, many 2D artists use photo backgrounds to tell stories or enhance their illustrations. By drawing over photographic scenes, they avoid plain white backgrounds while achieving a striking blend of realism and stylization. While learning to draw backgrounds from scratch is a valuable skill, using photo-based backgrounds can save time and offer a fresh perspective for your art.
How to Blend the Two Media
Plan – Start with a rough sketch of the scene you want to create. Think about the kind of background that will complement your character.
Gather Photos – Decide on the type of background you need, then take photos outdoors or browse the web for suitable images. Be mindful of copyright—credit owners or seek permission if necessary.
Import – Collect your selected photos and import them into your drawing software. Tools like Photoshop, Procreate, or Krita work well for this.
Draw – Begin sketching or painting over the background. Focus on integrating the photo with your character’s style, ensuring the two elements harmonize.
While blending photography with 2D art is not a new technique, it remains an exciting and creative way to approach art. This method not only saves time for artists by allowing them to focus on the main highlight—their characters—but also introduces a unique visual style that bridges the real world with the illustrated one. Whether you’re a solo artist looking to streamline your process or someone eager to experiment, this technique opens the door to endless creative possibilities.
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