How do you add a rubber like texture to your drawing Im drawing a warrior character and her clothing is rubbery and latexish and how would I achieve creating that affect?

Answer 1

There are a number of factors that will come into play when trying to achieve specific textures in a drawing.

First the ground, the scale, and the medium you are using.

In this discussion I am suggesting the use of graphite (pencil) on paper. (the most readily available materials) and a scale that will have your figure fill your paper. This will allow for enough detail to actually see the results.

For leather. a paper with a light grain or tooth (a softer finish) will help you achieve the somewhat pebbly texture of real leather. After the outlines of the area have been established, use the side of a 2B pencil to very lightly fill in the surface you are trying to make look like leather.

Using a 8B (or the softest pencil you have) and again not much pressure, lay in the areas of shadow, making the surface look rounded or flat as needed and introducing the folds and creases that naturally occur in any covering. If the leather you are rendering is very dark (black) you may add more colour with more pressure. In deep shadow this is fine.

Note *The more pressure you use the more you will flatten the tooth of the paper, so the texture will fade.

To establish highlights use an erasing shield and clean up the highlighted areas. They do not need to be completely white, but the whiter the better.

Note *Erasing will flatten the tooth of the paper, eliminating the texture and making the area look very different if you try to darken it later.

For Latex or Rubber, paper with a flatter (harder) surface will give you the chance to achieve the slick look of the material.

Once again start by laying down your base layer. Use the side of a 2B pencil and completely cover the area. Next use an 8B pencil to lightly lay out the shadows, folds and creases. Next use your erasing shield and a gum eraser to lift as much of the layer as you can from the areas of highlight. Next take an artist's stub (a blending tool) and work the graphite into the surface of the paper, being careful not to intrude into the highlights. This will give you a very smooth and slick looking surface. Add more graphite from your 8B pencil to the shadows and blend them outward to achieve a rounded or flat look to the surface as needed. This may take some time, but be patient and continue to add depth to the work.

Note *It is the blending tool that is key to this operation so, take the time to pick one up and experiment with it to see just what it can do. I have done entire sketches with my blending stub, loading it from off the page, and achieved some subtlety realistic but spectacular results.