Experimentation

I was out in the garden this evening and noticed that the sky looked really pretty. This gave me a sudden burst of inspiration.

I took a picture to use as a reference (although the photo didn't do reality justice).

I followed my usual method, beginning by drawing the basic outline on illustrator.

When it came to colouring the image on Photoshop, I decided to experiment with using the 'flat animation' style. I used variations of the same colour, but without blending the colours together. I also decided not to use the cartoony, black outlines. I think this effect looks quite sophisticated.

I then decided to add a few more details into the sky, by using a range of different brush styles.

I'm quite pleased with the final result, as I think it provides just the right amount of detail. The simplistic design didn't take that long to make, in comparison to in the past where I'd tried to add to many unnecessary details to the sketch. 

I think as a whole I'd like to try and spend more time developing the aesthetic style used in my backgrounds, as I think it can make such a big different to the overall look and feel of a scene.