A backlight can be a perfect spice to enrich the flavor of your painting. Repeat the process from the previous step but this time use a bright blue instead of the yellow. The cool color will help our firefly to blend with the background while its brightness will make it stand out even more.
Paint and render a firefly in Photoshop
Learn how to paint a firefly. Follow a structured rendering method and add a convincing glow effect and vibrant highlights in order to make your piece stand out.
Time
- Photoshop
- Character design
- Rendering
Having a clear and structured process is key when it comes to painting any subject. When you work as an artist, you don‘t know what your next gig might be about. So it is important that you are flexible and prepared. In this tutorial I am going to show you my method using the example of a firefly. We are going to start by choosing our material colors and then work our way into light and shadow.
Creating a drawing
I recommend starting out with a confident sketch. If you solve potential problems at this stage, then you will have a much easier time later on. It is the perfect time to ask yourself questions like, how does the head connect to the neck? Or in which ways are the legs attached to the body. Always keep one eye on your references and you will be on a good path.
How to Draw a Firefly Easy
How to Draw a Firefly with this how to video and step by step drawing instructions. Easy animals to draw for beginners and everyone.
Please see Firefly drawing tutorial in the video below
Start by drawing the head of the firefly first. Use two curved lines to create an irregular circle.
Detail of the insect’s face. For each eye, draw a circle within a circle and color between them. Draw a wide “U” shaped line for the mouth. Extend the curves from the top of the head and paint an oval at the end of each. This is a bug’s antennae.
Use curved lines to draw irregular shapes of the chest and abdomen. Body band with curves.
Use curved lines to draw the wings of the firefly. Extend the wings from the chest or midsection, then duplicate them back yourself. Wrap a partial circle around the beetle’s belly to indicate its glow.
Start drawing the second firefly. Use curved lines to outline its face. Draw a circle within a circle for each eye and color between them. Use a “U” shaped line for the mouth and long curved lines for the beard. Cover an oval at the end of each antenna.
Use curved lines to enclose the chest and abdomen. Body band with curves.
Use long curved lines, duplicated back, to draw the four wings. Wrap a partial circle around the belly to indicate light.
Draw the third firefly. Use curved lines to outline its face. Draw a circle within a circle for each eye and color between them. Use a “U” shaped line for the mouth and long curved lines for the beard. Cover an oval at the end of each antenna. Use curved lines to enclose the chest and abdomen. Body band with curves.
Use the long, curved lines to draw the wings. Wrap a partial circle around the belly to indicate light.
Color your cartoon fireflies. Most lightning bugs are black and orange, with yellow or green bioluminescence.
