How gamers create fan art based on their favorite games

How to get better at creating fan art inspired by your favorite video games

Hey, fellow gamer! So, you’ve been playing that epic game for days (or months), and now you’re inspired to make some kick-ass fan art, right? Well, you’re in the right place! Fan art is one of the coolest ways of showing off your love and appreciation for a video game universe, and it’s a great way to get your creativity flowing. But where do you start? And how do you make sure your fan art doesn’t just look like a random doodle? No worries! I’m here to help, and by the end of this guide, you’ll be leveling up your fan art game, big time.

Creating fan art is more than just firing up your drawing pad and hoping for the best. It’s a process that involves creativity, practice, and a bit of technical knowledge. Let’s dive deep into how to create badass fan art based on your favorite video games, step by step.

Understanding the basics of fan art and why it matters

Before I bombard you with all sorts of technical tips, I want to highlight something fundamental—fan art is all about expressing yourself. Whether you’re into RPGs like “The Witcher” or fast-paced shooters like “Overwatch,” fan art gives you a blank canvas to bring out the characters, environments, or epic moments in your unique style.

But here’s the thing: fan art isn’t only about doing justice to the original artwork of the game. It’s more about reinterpreting it in your creative way.

• What is fan art? – Fan art is any kind of art—drawing, painting, digital, or even sculpting—created by fans of a video game. You’re basically taking something you love (like a game character, a landscape, or an iconic game moment) and putting your own creative spin on it.
• Why is fan art important? – It connects fans and creators. Think of it as your love letter to the game developers. Plus, showing that you can recreate gaming universes through your art is a great portfolio starter if you ever want to move to professional game design!

Get inspired: Start with games that you absolutely adore

The first key to making awesome fan art is choosing a game you’re passionate about. Why? Well, creating fan art takes time and patience, and you’ll feel much more motivated if you’re drawing something you genuinely LOVE.

For instance, my first piece of fan art was of Geralt from “The Witcher 3.” I had spent like 100+ hours in that world, so naturally, I had a strong connection with it. I had to capture Geralt’s gritty look in my style—it’s what kept me excited through the process.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Pick one aspect of the game – Is it the protagonist, a side character, a specific environment, or maybe that jaw-dropping boss battle? Choose something you absolutely loved while playing the game, and start there. It’ll be your inspiration.
2. Screen captures are your best friend – While playing, take a ton of screenshots. I mean, a TON. These will be invaluable as references for capturing the intricate details of characters, armor, weapons, and environments.

Pro tip: Use external tools like Nvidia’s GeForce Experience or Steam’s built-in screenshot function to grab high-resolution in-game shots that will help you later.

Tools of the trade: What you need

Okay, now that you’re inspired, let’s talk tools. Good fan art could theoretically be sketched on the back of a napkin, but if you’re serious about leveling up, you’ll need the right gear. The most popular method these days? Digital art! But don’t worry if you’re more into traditional pencil and paper—that stuff is just as awesome.

For digital artists

Fan art creation has transitioned into the digital world, mainly because of the precision and tools it offers. Here are some things you’ll need:

• Graphics tablet – Drawing with a mouse can be a pain, trust me. A good drawing tablet (like a Wacom or Huion) will give you control over lines and strokes in a way a mouse never could.
• Digital art software – Applications like Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, or Procreate are widely used by digital artists. They offer brushes, layers, and other tools that’ll give your fan art that professional touch. If you’re starting out, free tools like Krita or GIMP are excellent alternatives.
• Get familiar with layers – Layers are key to organizing your artwork. Separate your background, characters, and effects. This allows you to edit specific parts without messing up the whole artwork.

For traditional artists

Don’t worry if you’re a pencil and paper kind of person. Here’s how you can amp up your game with traditional methods:

• High-quality art supplies – If detail matters to you (which it should), investing in good pencils or paints is a smart move. Go for tools like Faber-Castell pencils or Copic markers.
• Respect your shading and highlights – Bringing video game characters to life means paying extra attention to shading and light sources. Just like in-game lighting adds depth, your drawing needs shading to give it a 3D feeling.

How to start creating your fan art: A step-by-step guide

This is where the fun (and the challenge) begins. Creating a standout fan art piece isn’t done in 30 minutes—it takes time and patience. But don’t sweat it, follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to something awesome!

1. Start with basic sketching – Don’t worry about the details at first. Start with rough shapes. If you’re drawing a character, focus on proportions and poses. For landscapes, outline the horizons and approximate positions of buildings, trees, etc.
2. Use reference pictures – Remember all those screenshots I told you to take? Look at them, study them. How does the armor of the character reflect light? What color palette does the in-game environment use? Use these references to make your art accurate but in your style.
3. Add details gradually – Once you’ve got the fundamental structure, start adding in the smaller elements. Details like the scar on a character’s face, the damage on their armor, or the lighting of a distant sun add layers and depth to your artwork.
4. Experiment with colors – If you’re working digitally, you have the freedom to play around with color palettes. You’ll notice some fan art out there looks even better than the original game artwork because the artist decided to get creative with colors.
5. Polish it up – Once you’re happy with your art, it’s time for the final touches. Add highlights and shadows, fine-tune your colors, and maybe throw in some post-processing effects. This step can really elevate your final work from good to amazing.

Pro tip: Don’t get too bogged down if it doesn’t look perfect on your first try. Practice makes perfect. My first few Geralt sketches looked *decent* at best, but after spending more time, I could see my skills improving, and my confidence skyrocketed.

Best practices and tips for making your fan art stand out

Now, let’s talk about a few extra tips that’ll help take your fan art game up a notch:

• Capture an iconic moment – Instead of just drawing a character standing there, recreate a key moment from the game. Maybe your favorite character doing that epic move or the tension in a famous boss fight. Viewers love fan art that stirs up good memories from the game.
• Don’t be afraid to mix styles – One of the coolest things I’ve seen in fan art is when someone blends an art style or even combines characters and environments from different games. Imagine drawing Master Chief from Halo in a hand-drawn or anime style—it guarantees originality.
• Share your work – Whether you’re drawing fan art for fun or aiming for a professional gig, sharing your work on platforms like DeviantArt, ArtStation, or even Twitter with relevant hashtags can get you noticed by fellow gamers and potentially game developers.

Conclusion: Keep creating, keep improving

There you have it, my gaming comrade! Creating fan art based on video games is an awesome way to combine your love for gaming with creative expression. While it takes practice and patience, the journey from a blank canvas to a finished piece of fan art is incredibly rewarding. With the right inspiration, tools, and dedication, your fan art can stand out and even get noticed by others in the gaming community. Whether you’re shooting for fun or to one day get paid for your art, just keep practicing, learning, and, most of all—have fun!

If you’re ready to start, pick up your tablet or sketchbook, choose your favorite game, and let your imagination run wild. And don’t forget: the internet is full of amazing fan art communities where you can draw inspiration and get feedback on your work. Game on, and happy creating!