Behind the Art: My Digital Illustration Process
Ever wondered how a rough doodle turns into a final piece? Here is a peek behind my digital sketchbook, from initial pencil lines to the final glow-up. ✨
Another 'Sketch With Me' video, this time showing the process of creating the 'sandwich girl' character. From a simple line sketch to a fully colored and expressive illustration, this is how I build a character from an idea.
The initial sketch for a portrait, based on a reference photo. This shows the clean line art and foundational structure before any color or rendering is applied.
The reference photo for the previous sketch. Placing the reference and sketch side-by-side shows how I translate real-life photos into my stylized art.
A redraw of an old illustration, showing my current style next to the initial sketch. This demonstrates my process of refining character poses, color palettes, and overall composition.
The initial black and white sketch of my 'summer nostalgia' piece, shown in a digital sketchbook. This was the first step in capturing a childhood memory of mango season.
A complex doodle I created to capture my memories from a trip to London. This shows my ability to work with intricate line art and compose many elements into a single, detailed piece.
A fun ASMR video of me decorating my new iPad case with stickers I designed myself. This gives you a look at my workspace and how I turn my illustrations into physical products.
A fun art trend video showing 'how I draw vs. how I look'. It's a playful comparison between my cute, chibi-style artist avatar and my real-life self.
The clean, digital version of the 'summer nostalgia' sketch. This is the final line art, ready for coloring, which captures the joyful character holding a bowl of mangoes.
An 'art vs. artist' reel introducing me and my work. This video quickly showcases a variety of my illustrations, giving a broad overview of my different styles and themes.
About Behind the Art: My Process
Most clients worry that they don't have a clear idea, but the magic actually happens in the sketch phase. I always start with a rough grayscale layout to lock in the composition, so we are 100% on the same page before I even touch the color palette. It is a low-pressure way to make sure the final result feels exactly how you imagined it, whether it is a whimsical character design or a detailed wedding portrait.
How We Build Your Story
When you work with me, you are not just getting an image; you are getting the whole narrative. My process is very much a digital version of traditional storytelling. Because I work on an iPad, I can share real-time updates with you easily.
1. The Foundation (Sketching Phase) I start by understanding the mood. Are we going for something cozy and warm, or dramatic and bold? I create a rough grayscale sketch first. This is where we fix the pose, the composition, and the 'feel' of the art.
2. The Rendering (Adding The Magic) Once the sketch is locked, I move to colors and lighting. This is the 'Disney-inspired' part of my work where I obsess over the lighting—a soft glow on a face or the way colors interact in a scene. I love playing with warmth to capture that nostalgic or dreamy aesthetic that so many of my clients love.
3. The Finishing Touches This is where the 'desi' details come in—intricate embroidery textures on a sherwani, or specific jewelry pieces for a wedding portrait. I believe these tiny details are what make an illustration truly personal.
Why Process Matters Whether you are looking for custom character illustrations or a complex scene for a children's book, my goal is to keep you involved. You will never be left guessing because I value transparency in every stroke. I have worked on everything from Netflix campaigns to personal anniversary gifts, and the workflow remains the same: we talk, we sketch, we polish, and we create something that feels just like you.
Still looking for the right style?
Search our gallery to find the perfect illustration match.
More from Custom Digital Illustrations by Mallika Mohta
More services by Mallika Mohta