Buildings are an important part of any landscape, but they can be difficult to create convincingly, even with textures. Artists and professionals alike often struggle with making realistic buildings in their digital art. There are a few things you can do to make your buildings look more realistic.
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1. Use Reference Photos
A good way to start creating realistic buildings is to use reference photos as your guide. This will help you get an idea of how your finished product should look and what wall textures you need to use.
2. Take Notes As You Go
Choosing digital art as you go can be a good way to save time, but it can also cause problems down the line. If you run into any problems or need more information on how to approach your project, take notes as you go so that you can refer back to them later. This will help ensure that your finished product looks as good as possible.
3. Use Perspective To Your Advantage
Perspective can help bring depth to an image and make it seem more realistic, especially on a flat surface like the side of a building. Building on a grid such as this will make creating perspective lines easier. However, don't be afraid to experiment with different perspectives to see what works best for your scene.
4. Use Shadows and Highlights
Shadows and highlights can be used to help create the illusion of depth and realism in an image. For example, adding a shadow underneath a building will give it more weight and make it appear more 3-dimensional. Experiment with the placement of shadows and highlights to find the best possible outcome for your scene.
5. Add People Or Vehicles
Adding people or vehicles into a landscape can help add scale and further increase realism. Even a person's shadow can help, especially when added over a road in the foreground. This helps create the illusion that there is depth between elements in the scene.
6. Experiment With A Variety Of Brushes
A good way to add interesting details and realism to buildings in digital art is with the use of brushes. Try using a pen or pencil brush for best results, and experiment with different sizes and shapes to find the right one for your need. For example, you can add cracks in plaster walls by using a brush that simulates the effect of a chisel.
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| Source: CreativeMarket |
7. Use Textures
Textures and tones can also be used to add realism and interest to buildings in digital art. There are many different textures available online, or you can create your own using Photoshop or another image editing program. Experiment with different textures until you find the right one for your image.
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8. Use Shapes and Layers
Shapes and layers can also be used to add realism and interest to buildings in digital art. For example, using a soft brush of different colors on separate layers can create the illusion of stained glass windows that change color depending on the light hitting them, or you could break up monotonous surfaces by adding large shapes and patterns.
9. Add Depth To Your Image
A good way to make your finished product look more realistic is by adding depth to it. You can easily do this using Photoshop or another editing program. For example, you could create separate layers with different clouds that will move at different speeds to give the illusion of a cloudy day changing over time.
10. Use Filters
Filters can also be used to help create realism in an image. Some filters, such as the oil painting filter, can be used to add a realistic texture to your image. Experiment with different filters until you find the one that works best for your scene.
11. Watch Out For Distractions
Don't be afraid to get rid of parts of your image that do not add realism or interest, such as a stray pixel or an object in the background that doesn't fit with the rest of the scene. This will make your finished product look more cohesive and professional.
12. Add A Watermark
Don't forget to add your signature before you post any of your finished images online. This is an easy way to protect your work from being stolen, especially if it is something that others may want to use without giving you credit for it.
13. Keep Practicing And Experimenting
Like with most things in life, the more you practice, the better you will become at creating realistic buildings in digital art. Experiment with different textures, techniques, and tools until you find the ones that work best for you. With a little practice, you'll be able to create images that look so real, people will think they're actually there!
14. Add Finishing Touches
Once you have created your image, it's important to add finishing touches to make it look its best. This includes things such as adding a border, adjusting the levels and curves, adding light textures, and sharpening the image. Taking the time to do this will help your image look more polished and professional.
In Conclusion
Digital art can be a fun and challenging way to express yourself artistically, and one of the more challenging things to make using digital art are realistic buildings. By following these tips, you can create and recreate these lifelike structures that will add interest and realism to your scenes.