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In this tutorial, we will be working to create an interesting poster-size illustration with an African buffalo. The techniques here are focused on creating an original artistic illustration. Let’s see how this poster design was created.
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Preview full size poster

For start I will create a sketch with my Wacom Tablet. You can use another sketch if you want.
You can download my sketch and you can try to complete this tutorial.

The best method to draw such a character is to use Pen Tool to create a shape for each part of the character.
I will start with the right part. You can use different colors for each shape. We will work on the coloring part later in this tutorial.

Now I will start to work on the bull’s face
The same I will use Pen Tool to outline the face. You can lower the opacity for the shape to see better where you make the drawings.

I will create the mouth of the bull and the nose

In the same way I will create the rest of the shapes. Click on the following image to see the result.

And here is my result

Now you have to rasterize each layer. To rasterize a layer you have to right click on the layer and select Rasterize Layer

It will take you some time but this step is required if you want to color this bull.
I will hide all my layers and I will make each layer visible one by one.
I will use Burn Tool and Dodge Tool to add details for each shape. On the edges of each shape I will use Burn Tool.

Remember that you need to add shadows for each layer with Burn Tool, and Light with Dodge Tool.
I will place all these layers into a folder, and I will make a copy for this folder. To create a copy simply drag the folder to the “Create new layer” button from the bottom part of the layer palette. Then go to Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontally

I will create the ears

Then I will work on the face. First add a base color, and after that use Burn Tool and Dodges tool to add some lights and shadows

I will create the neck

Now I will add the details for the face. I will start with the eyebrows

Now I will add the nose

I will turn on the visibility of the eyes layer, and the same I will use Dodge Tool and Burn Tool to create details for the eyes.

The same I will make for the bull’s cheek

I will create the some sort of crown over the head

Now I will create the horns on the left side

I will duplicate the horns and I will place it also on the other side.

Over the horns I will create other details

I will create also the top part of the design. Some sort of feathers

To create a more dramatic effect I will add some red eyes.

Right above the background layer I will create a new layer (press on CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+N), and with Brush Tool I will make some drawings. I will choose a brush with smooth edges…
This is my final result. Please click on the image to see the full size result.

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