What is the best way to combine two different reference pictures in one realistic drawing?

Question

I want to illustrate a video game poster for a video game called "The Librarian". I am drawing the main character using a reference picture of my friend. The portrait drawing went well, but now I want to draw his hand holding a book and draw him standing next to pile of books at the library. I tried using a reference photo of a book, a hand holding a book and a pile of books but it just doesn't look right. I have erased it several times and now am worried that the paper will rip! Is there a better way to new add objects to a drawing?

Answer 1

The best way to do this is to use construction lines. Construction lines are soft pencil lines meant to be erased and they help you figure out where your view points are, where your horizon line is and even decide where the main light is for shadow reference lines.

Learn to create a layout rough draft visualize placing objects without destroying your original drawing.

You can use tracing paper to figure out where the construction lines go. Tracing paper is translucent paper that helps you see your original drawing and then trace the position of your other reference pictures to figure out by moving the images in different placements what direction your props should be drawn so that they match the original drawing.

Since you already started your final drawing and really want to preserve that, try tracing your original drawing of your main character on to tracing paper, arranging props and backgrounds on the the tracing paper.

Learn about foreshortening. Did you draw a side pose, or is one hand bigger because it's closer to the camera? If you did, this could help you find your focal point, other wise take a look at what you imagine in the character's background.

Learn to pick matching reference photos that match your character drawing. Figure out if they have the same type of view point, or focal point. To make sure you have the best reference photo, trace those books on a separate tracing paper. If you find that the position is awkward try picking out new reference photos.

Overlap the two traced images to see if you need to reposition the books, or find new reference images all together.

Learn about 1 Point Perspective. Draw the most distant focal point, draw the horizon line the line going all the way across the background. Draw construction lines out from the focal point.

If your character is at the corner of a library where the viewer sees the corner of a row, or a street corner for example, you probably have a two point perspective. For that situation, you would need a 2 point perspective.

Learn about 2 Point Perspective Draw two points on your horizon line. Everything in your drawing will connect to either of these points. This will help you how to line up the corners of your books, for example.

Drawing a pile of books often requires 2 point perspective based on the nature of books.

Tip: If you don't have tracing paper, check your kitchen for wax paper.

I can post a video answer in the future.