--- title: "My Creative Process: Digital Illustration Sketches and Art" description: "Curious how I create my art? Explore my digital illustration process, from initial pencil sketches to final Procreate oil paintings for your keepsakes." canonical: https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations/my-creative-process last_updated: 2025-10-01 --- # My Creative Process: From Sketch to Digital Art Tribe Verified · Digital art crafted on Procreate By [Life in Strokes](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima) · Available online · ₹1,200 per illustration (estimate) Part of [Custom Digital Illustrations](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations/gallery) I believe the best art comes from the messy middle. Here is a look at my sketches, value studies, and the journey from a blank canvas to the final piece. ## Photos and videos - ![This is the initial pencil sketch for my 'Coconut Seller' painting. Every detailed color illustration begins with a simple line drawing to get the composition and proportions right.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6960718c-06dc-42f5-ab8f-853946983fc9) - ![And here is the final colored version of the 'Coconut Seller'. You can see how I used digital oil brushes to build up color and texture over the initial sketch to bring the scene to life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f05d603d-c2ea-4eeb-be76-a31998d9c62e) - ![The black and white sketch for my 'Cozy Cottage' piece. I often start with a monochrome drawing like this to establish the lighting and mood before adding any color.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/333f849a-4e64-49eb-83a0-b2975a52566f) - ![The final colored illustration of the 'Cozy Cottage'. Comparing it to the initial sketch shows how color transforms the scene, adding warmth and a sense of season to the peaceful woodland setting.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/432eee81-dac1-47fe-a8fe-978f67b2d71d) - ![A charcoal value study for my impressionist autumn landscape. This step is crucial for planning the light and dark areas of the painting, creating a strong foundation for the colors.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/84fc1c8e-c9c5-4840-a427-7ce0e53a4c91) - ![The final 'Colours of Autumn' digital oil painting. This piece shows the result of the initial value study, with vibrant, textured colors layered on top to create an impressionistic and lively landscape.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4f79493-37ea-4be2-bdaf-0d969b1ac4c8) - [Video: A simple Sunday morning sketching session. This work-in-progress video shows the very first steps of creating an architectural sketch, laying down the basic perspective and lines for a new piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9de66015-9e66-4eb5-87ec-348a5b59aeab) ## About My Creative Process My work always starts with a raw sketch. Whether it is a charcoal value study or simple pencil lines, I focus on the composition before adding any color. This step helps me decide where the light falls and how the final piece will feel, ensuring the result has a soul of its own. I share my initial sketches because I want you to see the effort behind every digital file. When I start a piece, I use charcoal or pencil brushes to map out the light and dark values. This is where I make my mistakes. Sometimes the sketch does not look like much, but it is essential for the structure of the final illustration. After that, I layer colors using digital oil or watercolor brushes in Procreate. My 'Coconut Seller' and 'Cozy Cottage' pieces both started as basic, simple lines. I intentionally keep this process transparent so you know you are getting something crafted from scratch, not just a filter over a photo. It is not about reaching perfection in one go, but about enjoying the happy accidents along the way. If you have a memory you want captured in this style, knowing the process helps you understand how we can turn a simple idea into a detailed, high-resolution piece. ## About Life in Strokes I am Ashima, and Life in Strokes is my way of capturing quiet, cozy moments. I love working on my iPad, turning simple pencil lines into colorful memories. If you want to see how I bring a blank screen to life, this is where it happens. [See all of Life in Strokes's services](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima) ## More from Custom Digital Illustrations by Life in Strokes - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations/featured) - [Paws & Portraits](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations/paws-portraits) - [Capturing Your Moments](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations/capturing-your-moments) - [Wanderlust Watercolors](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations/wanderlust-watercolors) - [Cityscapes & Cafe Corners](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations/cityscapes-cafe-corners) - [Nature's Palette](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations/nature-s-palette) - [Festive & Pop Culture](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-digital-illustrations/festive-pop-culture) ## More services by Life in Strokes - [Custom Miniature Oil Paintings](https://mytribe.in/arts.ashima/custom-miniature-oil-paintings) ## Similar work from other experts - [Behind the Art: My Digital Illustration Process](https://mytribe.in/mallikamohta/custom-digital-illustrations/behind-the-art-my-process) by Mallika Mohta · Custom Digital Illustrations · Digital artwork delivered online - [The Process: From Blank Screen to Art](https://mytribe.in/mumbai_caricature_artist/custom-digital-illustrations-portraits/the-process-from-blank-screen-to-art) by Vishal Barje · Custom Digital Illustrations & Portraits · Available online across India; Studio in Parel, Mumbai - [My Creative Digital Illustration Process](https://mytribe.in/_eroz13_/digital-illustration-graphic-design/my-creative-process) by Eroz · Digital Illustration & Graphic Design · Available online; delivers across India - [Behind the Scenes of My Art](https://mytribe.in/digitalartbyyashika/custom-artwork-commissions/my-creative-process) by Yashika Khattar · Custom Artwork Commissions · Available online - [Behind the Art: My Sketches & Timelapses](https://mytribe.in/the_moonwake/custom-portraits-illustrations/behind-the-art-sketches-timelapses) by Rachita Burjupati · Custom Portraits & Illustrations · Available online & ships art across India - [Behind the Art: My Sketching & Creative Process](https://mytribe.in/caricature_giftart/custom-digital-portraits-illustrations/behind-the-art-my-process-sketches) by Sreeni · Custom Digital Portraits & Illustrations · Based in Bengaluru; Available online across India ## Book To book Life in Strokes, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Ashima%2C%20I%20was%20checking%20out%20your%20'My%20Creative%20Process'%20page%20and%20I%20would%20love%20to%20get%20a%20custom%20illustration%20made.%20Are%20you%20available%20to%20discuss%20a%20project%3F)