bought at gumroad.

com/mitchleeuwe
an introduction to
How
How to
to start
start with
with background design with
all the basic principles

background design
by mitch leeuwe
and examples
bought at [Link]/mitchleeuwe
Copyright © 2022 by Mitch Leeuwe

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

how to start with
may not be reselled, reproduced or used in any manner
whatsoever without the express written permission of
the publisher. For personal use only
Background design
[Link]

Printed in the Netherlands

by mitch leeuwe
First Printing, 2022

Graphic design: Harmke Leeuwe

[Link]

Editor: Juliette Hettema

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 Hi there!
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mitch Leeuwe and I am an illustrator from the Netherlands. When I was a kid
I used to draw a lot, I even had the childhood dream of becoming an animator at Disney. During my teenage years, I
unfortunately lost that dream. Luckily, I slowly started drawing more often as I got older. When I was 19, I started doing
some freelance work as a graphic designer, which also resulted in me picking up drawing again. I attended several
drawing programs at schools and colleges, but I actually learned the most from resources I found online. Today I am
a freelance artist working on visual development. This means I design characters, props and backgrounds for games,
animation and toys. However, you probably know me from my Instagram account where I release drawing tutorials,
videos and more. My goal is to create an accessible environment where people can learn drawing techniques and can
easily access vital information to improve their drawing skills; things I wanted to learn and have access to when I first
started out.

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about this ebook You could follow along with pencil and paper, or a drawing principles first and don’t rely too much on
digital device like an iPad or a computer and a tablet. digital tricks.
Let’s draw backgrounds! When I started learning to The best way to learn from this ebook is to draw along; Use whatever you prefer to work with or what you have
draw backgrounds, I found it quite daunting. Drawing in copy the steps one by one. After you have copied my to hand. The benefit of drawing with pencil and paper is If you’d like to learn more about perspective, you can
perspective looked so technical to me and I didn’t know examples, you could try to make a version yourself (if that a pencil really forces you to keep it simple, and not also check out my ebook ‘How to draw perspective’
where to start. Now, I’ve figured it out; it is still quite you’d like). Don’t worry if this doesn’t look perfect right use any digital tricks. This might seem like a downside, after you have completed this ebook. In that ebook I
technical but I know what to do! To make it easy for you, away. Learning to draw takes time, even when something but you’ll learn the most from making mistakes! dive deeper into the more technical side of perspective
I’ll start off by teaching you how to draw environments looks easy it can be very hard to master but over time However, if you want to start by drawing digitally (or drawing. When you practice and understand the
using very basic perspective principles. You don’t have you will get better at it. If you’re stuck it’s fine to move already do). That’s totally fine as well! I mostly draw technical side of drawing, it will become easier to
to be an expert in technical perspective to create fun and onto trying something else and come back to what you digitally, and try to draw in my sketchbook a bit to cool understand and apply to your own drawings
interesting environments. I’ll show you how to do that struggled with later on. down from being behind a computer screen all day or
throughout this ebook. when I’m not a home. Just try to understand the basic Are you ready to get started? I am! So let’s get going!

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 one-point perspective
Let’s take it to the next step; start
The basic skill for drawing environments and thus backgrounds, is drawing using perspective. So, that’s what we will by drawing a star like I did here. All
start with! the lines are coming from one single
point in the center This single point
of entry is like a kind of perspective
grid to help guide you. This is also
called a ‘perspective point’ or a
‘vanishing point’. I’ll refer to it as a
vanishing point going forward.

Now, draw a bunch of cubes like in

the previous steps. You can make
a copy of this exact image, or as
This is an example of one-point perspective, do you perspective lines and draw the second square in front soon as you feel more confident with
see how the lines all come out of one single point? Try of the smaller square, make sure it aligns with the first this step, draw a bunch of your own
following each step I’ve drawn [Link] by drawing one square as well as you can see in the picture. In the last shapes. If this is all too difficult, you
point (I circled it with purple in step one). From that point step I connect the sides of the squares together to create can always take a step back and go
draw some outward lines, and after that draw a square a cube in perspective! back to drawing just a single box.
in these lines like I did in step twoIn step three follow the

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 Here you can see how I applied one-point perspective to create an entire background. As you can see, I started with
the canvas and horizon line. The canvas is the frame (or box) I draw in. When drawing a background, it’s useful to first
determine the size or format of your canvas. Think of it the same way as looking through a camera lens, you need to
Now,step three is to frame your scene. In that canvas we have the horizon line; the horizontal green line in step one. I picked a vanishing
carve the main shape of point and drew straight lines from that point all the way to the edges of the canvas.
the chair out of the box.
Simply make a rough Do you see how I
sketch of a chair and used these guidelines
erase the lines you don’t to draw all kinds of
need anymore. Once you different shapes? (Step
have done that, carve 2, 3 and 4). I built up
out more shapes so you the shapes by drawing
create the legs. In step cubes, rectangles and
five you can see I carved circles first and defined
out all the shapes, their shapes in later
creating more detail. steps. Don’t worry if
And in the final step I you are overwhelmed
polish everything in more by this example, this is
detail with some nice something that is not
Let’s experiment with drawing our first object in perspective. Again, start by drawing lines soft corners and rounder easy to understand right
that come from one single point of entry, the vanishing point. Draw each step over the shapes, so you end up away. It will sink in if you
previous step, follow this bydrawing a cube which we will use as a base to draw the chair. with a lovely chair! keep practicing!

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 learn more!
check out my ebook
‘how to paint backgrounds’
on [Link]/mitchleeuwe
Another one-point perspective
drawing example of a detached
house. Start with a canvas and step I start with the sketch I just made
horizon line. I like to start with a using perspective. For this coloring
cube because it’s one of the easiest process I usually start bymaking the
shapes to understand and use when sketch I initially drew lighter (making it
drawing with perspective. Once I more transparent) followed by adding
have that cube, I start adding smaller colored layers beneath the sketch
shapes until I have the construction layer. In the second step you can see
of the basic building down to how I started by adding a color gradient. I
I like it. After that, we can start like starting with one color (or a color
drawing the rough sketch on top of with a slight gradient), this sets the
those shapes. I always like to start tone for the rest of the drawing and
with the biggest shapes, to get a can help build your color palette.
good overview, and save adding the Let’s also focus on how I color in a to admit: it’s so much fun to finish a Colors can have a lot of influence on
details and final sketch for last. scene for a moment. If you’re only just drawing in color and to be proud of each other. For example, red looks
starting out, I wouldn’t recommend it. So, here you can see the steps I different together with white from red
focusing on colors yet. But I have take to color this house. In the first combined with green.

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 Here you can see how I color a background like this. I started off by adding a gradient again, and after that I added
colors that are similar to each other. And finally, adding light in the windows and lamp and the last step is adding in some
detail effects such as the glow around the lights and snow details to create more ambience. By building up your colors
layer by layer, it becomes less complicated to color a background like this.

In this example I’d like to show you that you don’t have to follow the perspective lines perfectly, you can also loosely base
your drawing on top of it. This creates a more playful drawing. The best way to understand this is to follow along with
these images and try to experience how I used the grid. Just try to be mindful of how I did this when you’re copying it.

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 two-point perspective Draw two perspective points and draw several lines (or guides) from each point, just like I did here. After that, start
drawing cubes on top of the grid. First copy the example I made, once you have mastered that, you can try to draw
even more cubes by yourself using the same grid.
Now you’ve learned how one-point
perspective works, let’s add a
second vanishing point to create
even more dynamic scenes. Draw a
horizon line and instead of one point,
add two perspective points like I did
in the above example. Follow the
steps to draw a cube in two-point
perspective. If you compare it to the
one-point perspective, you can see
the front of the cube looks different
now, this has also been influenced by
the two perspective points meaning
the front of the cube is no longer flat.

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 Let’s draw a background in a two-point perspective.
Do you see how far away the second vanishing point
is in the canvas? When drawing on paper you don’t
always have enough space to draw that second
point. If that is the case, try to imagine where it is and
apply that to your drawing. This is not easy and takes
some time to develop as a skill!

Let’s turn these cubes into an object! Like this chair, but this time using two-point perspective. Again, start with a cube Notice how the organic shapes (like the hills) don’t
and carve out the chair step by step using rectangular shapes, defining the shape more along the way to add further need to follow the guides perfectly. This makes the
detail slowly. image look more cartoony and playful

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If the previous drawing was a bit too difficult to start with, try to draw something simpler in a two-point perspective first.
Like this cute house! See how we actually apply the same steps as with the chair we drew; carving out the shapes step
by step.

Once I have got the basic construction down, I will start details and textures. As a final step, I added some basic
adding the larger shapes and add the linework. How I lighting to the house. When adding shadows try to imagine
apply lines is pretty straightforward; I draw thicker lines where the light is coming from.
for the biggest shapes and smaller, thinner lines for the

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 In the image you can see my sketch process. I started by drawing two perspective points, then roughly drawing the
shapes I want in my scene in the second step. Then, I keep cleaning it up until I have a scene, I’m happy with before
adding the final, smaller details, such as the window displays, street signs and more.

In these images I’d like

to show how I think in big
shapes first. It’s as if I’m
creating a 3D model. From
the big shapes I work ‘down’
towards creating smaller
shapes, step by step.

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Let’s draw a grand and mysterious you’re setting up the real drawing. that, you can add the furniture to
interior! Often before I start adding In the second image you can see decorate the room. Don’t lose yourself
perspective to my work, I make a the perspective guides I added on in details immediately; big shapes
very rough doodle of the idea I have top of the sketch. In the third step first! This way you build your interior
in mind. To make a quick doodle like I draw the walls of the room, they background step by step.
this you don’t need to understand essentially form the base of this living
perspective. You’ll apply that when room scene. Once you have defined

Once we have the final sketch, we can start adding some colors. In this scene
I started by adding values. Values are the grey tones of a color. I like to start learn more!
with this to make sure the drawing has enough contrast; this makes a drawing
easier to read and helps draw your eyes to specific objects in the scene check out my ebook
‘how to paint backgrounds’
on [Link]/mitchleeuwe
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 Three-point perspective is very interesting. It’s a version of
three-point perspective perspective we actually notice less clearly in daily life. You
see this type of perspective very obviously when you are
standing on top of a high building, or when you’re really
close to the floor or looking up to something gigantic.
Follow along the steps to draw a cube in a three-point
perspective.

You probably could have guessed this; let’s draw a chair in three-point perspective. Do you notice that the shape the
three-point perspective really distorts the true shape of the object? It looks like we are tiny and the chair is very big, and
we’re looking up at it.

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Now let’s apply the three-point perspective to drawing a street scene. Do you see how the three-point perspective in When we have set up the perspective grid, we can start adding all the buildings. Notice how I started with the
this context creates a sense of height? As if we are a small bird flying over the street. I start bydrawing the size of my wireframes of the street, almost like a 3D-model. Once I have those main shapes how and where I want them, I start
canvas. Next, I add the perspective points I need. And once I have that grid, I use it as a guide to draw the first building to define the shapes in more detail, and adding smaller shapes on top of it. Little details, like adding extra foliage in
blocks. the trees, patterns and material effects. To complete this street scene, I added some values. Adding shadows and
highlights by using values can give a drawing a sense of extra depth, without needing to color the entire scene.

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 Here you can see my first rough
sketch. I start doodling freehand
For some jobs or creative careers, and put a perspective grid on
you may need to design individual top of that to “fix” the drawing
buildings (or building blocks). accordingly. I prefer to start
Drawing buildings is a good way to drawing more freehand because
apply three-point perspective. Follow it gives me a foundation for
these steps and after that you could building my scene more freely,
try to design your own building. It can but being able to do this you need
be inspiring to look up some pictures to have a good understanding
of buildings on the internet for some of perspective. Once you feel
reference. confident you understand the
foundations of perspective
drawing, you can try to start with
a freehand drawing if you can
imagine what the perspective
should more or less look like, and
correct and refine it afterwards.

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Drawing objects with different angles can be challenging. I calculation. This method is good enough for me when Once you learned to do this with blocks, you can apply it to a village view
mostly make an estimated guess. There is even an exact I am struggling. This is how it works: Do you see how like this one. Try to find all the vanishing points of the buildings I drew in learn more!
way to calculate it, but there is another method you can both boxes have different vanishing points on the shared this scene.
use which can be seen as almost as good as an exact horizon line?
check out my ebook
‘how to draw perspective’
on [Link]/mitchleeuwe
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When you’re drawing a building try to think of how a building is constructed. It is not just built out of big shapes but also
windows, bricks, and other individual parts. In this drawing you can see that the window also has depth, for example in
the window frame and the window flower box.
Here are two more
examples of construction,
now when you draw
a building or another
background object, really
think about how it is
constructed. Also try to pay
attention to this when you
are looking at the image
reference you might be
using.

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 Here I’m showing how you how to
the horizon draw multiple characters in the same
image and keep their size consistent
no matter how close or far they are
I have already told you to draw the horizon line from the camera When you want
a few times, but here I’d like to explain a bit to draw a character on a different
more about how this works. It is not a randomly horizontal spot simply move it
placed line; you can actually use it to get the right sideways to get the right size for that
placement of any characters you add to your scene. character. This also works for smaller
and taller characters; the horizon line
will just be in a different spot (higher
Long story short: the horizon is the eyelevel of the viewer (or camera). When someone is the same height as the viewer or lower).
(or camera) that person’s eyes will be at the horizon line. When someone is taller or smaller, this will be different. Have
a look at this example and see what kind of influence this has on the child, dog, and the balloon. When someone is taller
the eyes of that person will be above the horizon line. When someone is smaller, the eyes will be below the horizon line.

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 Composition is a big part of art. If your composition is weak, it is difficult for the
composition viewer to make sense of what to focus on or to read the full scene. In music
there’re there are also compositions; the song has a structure; the music isn’t
random but usually has a rhythm. This is the same for art: composition is the
arrangement of objects.
Here are some examples on
how you can compose your
drawing.. I use the rule of
thirds the most, because it’s
so versatile and easy to use. I
believe the most important thing
in these compositions is that
there is structure in it. There
is no need to master all these
composition examples, and you
don’t need to use all of them
when you draw either. However,
you can apply them to your
benefit when needed.

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 More compositions! Try to watch
The possibilities are endless! But the some movies and maybe even
main purpose is that it’s a tool to use pause on a scene you like it to see
to order the elements of the drawing if you can analyze the composition
and make it easy to understand the of the scene. Also feel free to apply
scene for the viewer and to ‘read’ the these compositions to draw your
order of the scene. own backgrounds.

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 isometric perspective Remember, always save adding the details for last! After copying this example, try to create your own tiny town with
isometric perspective. Perhaps you can also try drawing more modern buildings, something futuristic, or maybe a castle.
Again, you can take some inspiration from your favorite movies.

Isometric perspective is often used in maps, because it gives a good overview of the area. This also makes it great for
videogames. There are no vanishing points, all the ‘perspective’ lines are parallel.

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 As a final step I turn the living room ‘model’ into a sketch and add values (the grey tones) to it. You could also choose to
color your room scene, of course. First try to follow along with these steps and after that make your own isometric room.
Maybe use a room in your house as your drawing inspiration!

It’s also fun to make an isometric

drawing of a room! I like starting
off by creating the wall structure
first, and then adding big shapes
that represent the objects inside
the room. Once I’m happy with the
arrangement of the objects, I will
start to add details to the objects.

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I love using a sketchbook to make doodles like these to figure out what kind of illustration I want to make next. These
little illustrations are called thumbnails. Sometimes I like to only draw the front view of an object to focus on the design
itself and not worry too much about the perspective

Here you can see an example of a house I’ve drawn, Try to make some variations of this quirky house by
without first drawing a whole perspective grid. I started changing the basic shapes. The basic shapes are the
with some basic shapes and added smaller shapes on top foundation of the house, but you can add details and
to add details expand on it however you like!

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 Other commonly seen objects in
backgrounds are trees. Drawing
trees is like drawing characters; I like
to add a line of action for the flow of
the tree. I also break down the tree
into several shapes to make it easier
to draw.

learn more! This is another example of a tree. I make the tree look organic by using flowing lines; this is especially obvious in step
two where you can see I drew tubes and spheres to create the basic shape of the tree. These shapes are also great for
check out my ebook assisting you to drawing it in perspective.
‘how to draw environments’
on [Link]/mitchleeuwe
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 conclusion
& thank you

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 as a reference, any other artbook, or
that's it! perhaps one of my Instagram posts to
study. It’s not even that important what
you draw initially, it’s more important
Thank you so much for reading this book! I hope you the importance of them and why those are taken. When that you draw. What’s also great for
enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed making it and that you you do study someone else’s work, and you publish it practice is drawing from real life,
picked up some new tips, tricks, and skills to help you somewhere online, clearly credit the original artist. drawing people on the train, on the
along on your artistic journey. After you have studied other art techniques and learned street, in the park. Since we are talking
the principles of drawing, try to create your own original about environments and backgrounds, it
Making progress in your drawing skills takes a lot of time. works of art. Maybe first stick close to a generic style also helps if you draw a street near you,
I recommend you take your time and realize it’s easy to and something you are familiar with. For example, make the train station, any building you find
overestimate what we can achieve in a short amount of a drawing of your room, observe what all the objects interesting, a forest and so on. You can
time and underestimate what we can expect over a longer look like in real life and then try to translate that to your also use the internet or Google Maps to
period of time. Keep focusing on that long-term goal: take drawing. You can also try taking a picture of a place and find some cool photos and use that as
small steps and trust the process. use that picture as a reference for your scene. Or go to inspiration for your drawing. Don’t forget
a place that you like and inspires you and draw that as a to credit the original artist if you are
Personally, I noticed real progress when I analyzed background. publishing your drawing journey online
drawings I liked made by other artists and focused on
construction. I learned so much from “copying” art I Another thing I can recommend is to get a sketchbook Drawing is a lifelong process of
admired and by re-creating those drawings step by step. and try to fill a page every day. The cool thing about learning. So, stay positive, don’t be too
That’s why I like to break my tutorials down into small, a sketchbook is that you can bring it everywhere you hard on yourself, and have fun!
easy and accessible steps. I think the best way to learn go. Maybe it’s hard in the beginning to fill the pages.
how I draw is to follow along with me through these Perhaps you feel stuck about what to draw or aren’t Best,
tutorials. Draw everything step by step and understand happy with your drawing. You can always use this ebook Mitch Leeuwe

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