Tikara Drawing Process

Just a little thing I decided to do. Since I've had a few people ask how I get my lines so smooth and what program I use and other things, I went and did a little "How I draw in openCanvas 1.1" video.

Q: No music?
A: This is so you can play your own while watching :3

Q: What program do you use?
A: This video takes place in openCanvas 1.1, which I use for about 75% of my art.

Q: Do you use a tablet?
A: Yes, I use a WACOM Intuos 3 Graphics tablet that I've had since 2006.

Q: Why do you sketch in blue?
A: It's easier for me to outline a sketch done in a lighter color instead of a greyscale color. Doesn't make the lineart so hard to see against the sketch.

Q: How do you get the lines so smooth?
A: What I do is, after making the initial sketch, I enlarge the image by 400%. If the size is 1000x1000, then I blow it up to 4000x4000, if it's 1200x600, then it becomes 4800x2400, etc. It makes the sketch HUGE, and when it's this big I use a thick, solid line to outline the sketch. When it's resized back to the original size, it makes the lines look crisp and smooth. I also do the coloring and shading while it's huge so I can get the little details in, such as the iris and gem highlights.

Q: Some lines keep disappearing and reappearing! What's up with that?
A: When inking, I use quick, long strokes to get a smooth line. I try and keep it close to the original sketch lines. If it doesn't come out the way I want it, I undo and redo the line over and over until I get it right.

Q: How do you get that splotchy shading and highlighting?
A: The shading is done on another layer with the watercolor brush, all done in greyscale with lots and lots of blending. Highlights are done on the layer the colors are on. Normally I use a really really soft eraser brush for highlights, but I went for the "textured" watercolor highlights for this.

Q: How long did this picture originally take to draw?
A: Just a little over an hour.

Q: Haha, you had to fix the eye!
A: Hey, not everyone can get perfect lines the first time, you know? I'm sure lots of people have had to go back and fix up lines and stuff.

Q: Someone IM'd you, but you didn't answer! Why's that?
A: Dude, whenever I'm in the drawing zone, everything else is the last thing I think of. I end up ignoring IMs and most other things in the backround since I get too hyperfocused on drawing.

Q: So that's why you don't answer the IMs I send you?
A: Mostly.

Q: What's the "R.C" for?
A: Those are my initials. That's all of my real name you're gonna get~ :3

Q: This is just a silly looking recolored Mew! Don't you have anything original?
A: Yeah yeah, I know my online per/fur/Pokésona isn't that original, but give me a break; I made Tikara back in late 2002. And yes, I do have quite a few original things. Look through some of my online galleries to see what sort of original things I've come up with.

Q: This Q&A is way too long.
A: Sorry, just answering some questions before they get asked and stuff :3

Tikara © me
Mews © Pokémon / Nintendo / Game Freak