From Sketchbook to Screen: How I Learned Digital Painting in Photoshop (Negan Fan Art)
What happens when a traditional artist dives into the digital world? As a passionate sketcher, I’ve always loved putting pencil to paper—but this time, I wanted to level up. So I taught myself how to paint digitally, using Adobe Photoshop—and for my very first subject, I picked one of my favorite TV characters: Negan from The Walking Dead!
Why Digital Painting? And Why Negan?
Drawing has always been my comfort zone, but I knew that digital art would open up new possibilities for me—unlimited colors, layers, and effects! Plus, waiting for new episodes of The Walking Dead made me miss Negan’s character (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan), so I challenged myself: Can I paint Negan in Photoshop, even if I’m used to traditional media?
My Photoshop Journey: Mixing Passion and Pixels
I started with a simple sketch, just like on paper. Then, I built up the painting in layers—blocking in shapes, adding shadows and highlights, and experimenting with brushes I’ve never tried before. Mixing colors digitally is both easier and trickier: you have a million options, but you have to trust your eye even more!
My goal was to capture Negan’s intense gaze and the texture of his jacket and scarf. I wanted the painting to look alive—almost like he’s about to step out of the screen and say, “Well, well, well!”
What I Learned (and Why You Should Try It Too!)
- Digital painting lets you undo, redo, and experiment—don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
- Blending in Photoshop is all about brush settings and pressure. Find the brushes that feel natural for you.
- Don’t skip the basics! Values, proportions, and observation still matter, even on screen.
- Reference photos are your friend. I always had Negan’s photo (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) open beside my canvas.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, digital art can make you see painting in a whole new light. And yes—if you can draw on paper, you can learn to paint in Photoshop!
The Art Process: Watch My Drawing Video
Want to see how I did it, step by step? Here’s a quick video of my Negan fan art coming to life—from blank canvas to the final brushstroke!
Who should I paint next?
Art doesn’t end on paper. Sometimes, the next big step is
just a new tool—like Photoshop!
Thanks for reading, and remember:
If you can dream it, you can draw it—even digitally.