brawler step by step

originally the evolution series started as an experiment n practice,
mainly focusing on how to render objects to look like 3d,
i got bored painting boxes, cylinders, n spheres and i want something fun,
so i decided to draw chibi rpg characters miniature n got carried away >_<
too much fun, thus begin the evolution series, maybe someday they'll become
boardgame miniature...
so here is my brawler painting steps, i tried my best to explain:

1. rough sketch, exploring ideas, don't mind the squiggly lines just let it flow,
before they vaporize from your mind.

2. tighten up the sketch n refining the ideas n concept, while doing it i keep on
reminding myself that it wasn't a flat line, it has volume,
it was basically a group of basic shapes joint together (boxes, cylinders, n spheres),
this will help a lot in the painting process.

3. flat colors, not much to explain here, i'm having difficulties in choosing the right color combo,
at first i already decided the skin is purple n the armor main colors is gold with red stripes, it look horrible...
so i played with the hue sliders n thankfully it look better, happy accident.

4. add simple BG then i choose the light source from front upper left, made multiply layer on top n paint it
with low saturated dark purple, behold the shadows!

5. i paint the lit area with combinations of linear dodge, overlay, n soft light layers
with high saturated light yellow

6. i put the tight sketch on different layer than the colors, changed its color to light grey,
set it on multiply then merge it with the color layers, then adjust the color with color balance,
dodge n burn in some areas to push the volume,
after that i made a clipping mask layer on top n started painting, basically blending n tidying the colors,
color picked all the way, i also varied the brush opacity, flow n hardness.

7. lower the saturation n contrast, cleaning n erasing the edges to make a clean n sharp silhouette,
keep on blending colors.

8. yay finished! dodge n burn again to push the volume.

9. add extra details, scars n dents n glowing purple aura, done

i hope that helps, if you have questions feel free to ask, hit download for better view,
have a nice day