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How to draw videogame fanart

Our step-by-step guide will have you littering the internet in minutes

Words: Tyler Wilde, GamesRadar US

I was graced with hands which lust to create. I did not choose to live within the both splendorous and torturous tower of artistic wizardry; the tower chose me. I am an instrument of aesthetics, a humble child of Aphrodite.

The world may never fully understand the deep pit of hot coals which glows and sparks with creativity within me, but I must attempt to impart some of my insight to the world. Raise your pencils and feel the passion build within you. Someday you too may be able to draw Mario as well as I.

For this demonstration (hardly a crumb of the giant blueberry muffin that is my talent), I will show you how to draw the charming Cortana of Halo.

It is always best to start with the smallest part of the overall figure, and anyone who tells you otherwise is blind. I suggest beginning with an eye, as it exposes the soul of your figure. The eye I have drawn says, “Hey, I’m Cortana, some kind of AI hologram thing.” We've just begun, and we've already captured the essence of the character!

To imagine the structure of the body accurately, we must simplify it. You may be worried about proportion, but that should really be an afterthought. Remember, you can always erase over and over again until the torso you drew doesn’t make your character look like a caterpillar. Right now, just focus on the essential structure and manikin-like pose.

Now we simply fill out the shapes with muscles and other human-like forms. This is probably a good time to completely disregard everything you’ve drawn to this point and get some actual human reference. If you don’t have a willing female roommate to pose nude for you, either find one or photograph your own body with your cell phone – it probably won’t be found by anyone and posted on the internet.

Now is the time to fix all of the mistakes you made up to this point. Make sure to draw around all of the parts that somehow turned out really good.  Even if you have to erase everything aside from the left hand, at least you have that one hand.

Finish your work in Photoshop. Don't worry about sloppiness, we artists call it "painterly." A lot of lighting effects and lens flares will add depth to your image. While your final product may not look quite as stunning as this (completed in only 86 hours!), you've embarked on the route to artistic empowerment. Keep working at it!

Now post your work on Deviant Art and tell everyone who criticizes you that you have a unique style, and that they can go to hell.

Check the links below for some less facetious fan art.

 

 Sexy fan art: Cortana Edition
Everyone's favorite computer software at her "wish she were real" best


 Sexy fan art collection
A fine selection of seductive, curvaceous, sensual, saucy and downright sexy game fan art

 
25 Comments
Fluxnard - 3 months 6 days ago
Chun-Li's thighs look like they can crush boulders
GamesRadarTylerWilde - 3 months 6 days ago
They CAN.
GamesRadarJoeMcNeilly - 3 months 6 days ago
Many men have died trying to learn the secrets contained therein.....
ClusterShart - 3 months 6 days ago
i can only draw airplanes, and only fictional ones
GamesRadarCharlieBarratt - 3 months 6 days ago
The air valve was a sublime touch.
JoeMasturbaby - 3 months 6 days ago
hahaha as an artist, i cant stop laughing at the people who actually submit drawing like this.

very sarcastic and good.
: )
GreyDay - 3 months 6 days ago
Chun Li drumsticks, now available at KFC
GamesRadarTylerWilde - 3 months 6 days ago
Mm, ChunSticks
GamesRadarJoeMcNeilly - 3 months 6 days ago
i heard KFC ChunLi's are fed antibiotics and have like 6 breasts
JoeMasturbaby - 3 months 6 days ago
O RLY?
GamesRadarTylerWilde - 3 months 6 days ago
RLY.
GamesRadarJoeMcNeilly - 3 months 6 days ago
PIC PLZ
GamesRadarCarolynGudmundson - 3 months 6 days ago
That Chun Li is pretty good, but it could stand to be more anime.
XxM4SterB4trxX - 3 months 5 days ago
i hear is sf4 chun li actually crushes ryus skull with her thighs
bull06 - 3 months 5 days ago
RLY?think he died happy?
gilligan2021 - 3 months 5 days ago
Did she just refuse to exercise any part of her body other than her thighs or was she just born that way?
KingofHearts - 3 months 5 days ago
The Chun-Li is RIDICULOUS!! Very good job!! I used to draw...but not from my imagination...i need an original image...like off a game cover or magazine...
Anbu204 - 3 months 5 days ago
Lmao to all the comments involving Chun-Li's Thighs

I find it easy to draw Fan Art , But when you draw the fan art in positions like say for example;

Master Chief Throwing a Plasma,
Link Playing Super Smash Bro's,
Gordon Freeman Fetching His Pension

:) help would be nice
GamesRadarLizzieCuevas - 3 months 5 days ago
im scared of that chun-li
Nin10DOH - 3 months 4 days ago
that Chun Li is gonna come crush my head in my sleep
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