Draw Illustrations of a Rainy Day!

I know it’s out of the blue, but do you like rain?

When you hear drawings of rain, you might imagine rather melancholy, sad scenes.

 

However, drawing rain illustrations can be a lot of fun!

In this article, I will show you what to look out for when creating rain illustrations, as well as a drawing demonstration.

 

Rough sketch and select background color

 

Now start drawing the illustration of the scene in the park.

Raincoats, umbrellas and rain boots are the familiar objects of rain.

 

At this stage, select the color to be used for the background.

I chose gray this time because it’s a rainy scene.

 

 

Character line art, coloring, fitting

Because I want the character to stand out, I’m not going to do the line art for the background this time.

 

Line Art

 

This is the end result of the character line art.

 

 

Coloring

 

Paint the color with the bucket tool.

I’ve composed the colors with primary colors to create a childlike atmosphere.

 

It’s a good thing its bright colors stand out against the gray background.

 

 

Shadows and highlights

 

Add shadows and highlights.

For the shadows, paint them on the multiply layer and with low saturation colors so that the image conveys the gloomy mood of the rain.

 

For the highlights, paint them on the screen layer. To represent the way it is dampened, use white and have a clear border between the highlighted and unhighlighted areas.

Pay attention to the different materials of the clothes: for example, paint the raincoat roughly and draw detailed folds on the rain boots.

 

 

Line color adjustment

Blend the line art color throughout the image to complete the character painting!

 

 

Painting the background

Now, hide the character layer to paint the background roughly based on the first sketch.

 

It looks like it needs some objects on the right.

I’ve moved the puddles that were on the left in the sketch to the right.

 

 

Keeping the whole picture in balance

 

Paint the background in more detail.

• Be careful not to draw too much. What you want the audience to see is the character.
• Show the character layer occasionally to see how the whole picture looks.

 

The rain comes with puddles of water.

Next, I will show you the things to remember when drawing puddles!

 

 

Things to remember when painting puddles (rainy day)

Puddles (in a rainy day)

 

 

Painting with a rain cloud color

 

Basically, puddles reflect the sky.

That’s why, to draw puddles on a rainy day, you need to draw them with a gray rain cloud color gradient.

 

 

Drawing silhouettes of reflected objects

 

Draw the objects in the puddle that reflect from the background.

You would do well to leave them unclear and draw the obscure silhouettes.

 

 

Partially blurring objects

 

Blur the reflected objects.

With the image to blur in places, not to blur the whole.

 

 

Drawing rain ripples

 

Finally, draw the wave patterns of the rain.

Draw them according to the intensity of the rain and the image of drawing double circles.

 

The important thing here is the color of the waves.

First draw them with the base color of the puddle and then with the color of the reflected objects.

This will make the scene reflecting off the puddle look like it is swaying!

 

You can also vary the distance and size of the waves.

 

 

Now we’ve finished the puddles!

 

 

Blending the character with the background

 

Show the characters layer and add the shadows.

On rainy days, shadows tend to be faint. So I suggest you use the airbrush to paint the foggy shadows.

 

 

Drawing rain clouds

 

Draw the rain clouds.

It looks like it is about to rain any time soon.

 

 

Brushes I used mainly are listed below.

 

 

Remember to draw 2 types of clouds: those with a clear silhouette and those with an ambiguous silhouette.

Change the opacity or width of the brushes and draw them in detail.

 

 

Drawing the rain

 

The rain is finally coming!

Make it rain as hard as you like with the Rain Brush (Premium)!

 

 

 

• Make sure that the rain does not overlap with the area around the character’s face.
• Draw the drops and splashes on the umbrella and other objects.

 

Create the atmosphere of being in the midst of the rain.

 

 

Finishing touches

 

Use brushes like the Fluffy Watercolor Brush to paint the mist in the background.

Adjust the tone of the whole picture to complete the drawing!

 

Congratulations!

 

 

Things to remember when drawing puddles (sunny day)

As a bonus, here are some tips for drawing puddles on a sunny day!

 

 

Painting with the blue sky color

 

This is the same as we did for the puddles on the rainy day.

Paint with the sky blue gradient to represent the clear sky.

 

 

Drawing the reflected clouds

 

Draw the white clouds.

Remember that the reflected objects are upside down and horizontally flipped, just like a mirror.

 

Add the black area around the puddle that the puddle didn’t have on the rainy day.

When the rain stops and the sky clears, the water in the puddle will gradually dry up.

 

This description suggests that the water was once there and is still wet.

 

 

Drawing silhouettes of reflected objects and the ground.

 

Finally, add the shadows of the reflected clouds or the ground patterns around the edge.

Add some white highlights around the edge of the puddle to create a bright, beautiful image.

 

Now we’ve finished the puddles on the sunny day too!

 

 

Conclusion: Making rain illustrations is fun!

• Rough sketch and select background color
• Character line art, coloring, fitting
• Painting the background
• Things to remember when painting puddles (rainy day)
• Blending the character with the background
• Things to remember when drawing puddles (sunny day)

 

How do you like this tutorial?

Drawing rain illustrations is challenging, but it’s also rewarding and fun!

 

I hope this article helps you in some way.

(Text・Illustrations／つかさん)