Activity 1: Designing a Background

T-DES-002-009

After all this theory on background design and perspective, you should feel prepared to draw your own background! Before you start, take the time to plan something. Sketch a few thumbnails on a piece of paper.

Material

  • MO-DES-002/01-background-sketch.tpl
  • MO-DES-002/02-construction-lines.tpl
  • MO-DES-002/03-background-outline.tpl
  • MO-DES-002/04-background-colour.tpl

How to draw a background
  1. Start Harmony.
  1. In the Welcome screen, name your project Background-Design followed by your initials.
  1. Remember, you need to sketch your idea first. In the Timeline view, click the Add Drawing Layer button to create a new drawing layer and name it: sketch.
NOTE: If you have issues with this step, you can use the 01-background-sketch.tpl template.

  1. You will need to create all layers in the Timeline view. Repeat until you have all your drawing layers in the Timeline view. If needed, rename them to keep your work organized. For this activity, you will be creating a scene that includes separate layers for the main components in your design. For example:

  1. In your Perspective Guide layer, draw the horizon line and vanishing points. From those you will be able to trace the construction lines for the background.
NOTE: If you have issues with this step, you can use the 02-construction-lines.tpl template.

  1. In each layer, use the Brush tool to draw the elements needed for your scene based on your sketch. Don't forget to always use your vanishing points and horizon line.
NOTE: If you have issues with this step, you can use the 03-background-outline.tpl template.

  1. Once you are done with the line art, take some time to colour them with the Paint Bucket tool. In the Colour view, create colour swatches for the various colours needed.
NOTE: If you have issues with this step, you can use the 04-background-colour.tpl template.

  1. Save your project.

Quiz

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Time Estimated 30 mins

Difficulty Level Beginner

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