Today, 10 February 2024 we celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome the Year of the Dragon! That’s actually my zodiac as well according to Chinese Lunar Calendar which makes it all the more special. Unfortunately I have not been able to properly follow the traditions such as cleaning the house and space clearing with sage before the New Year so I am praying we will not have any bad luck this year! Our home is nevertheless decorated with a few dragon charms for protection and luck, and perhaps a little drawing may further make our dragon happy too. How about some digital art?
Drawing the Dragon
First a kawaii image of our Dragon with the Medium Airbrush. Wanted her less scary! Seperate layer assigned for each body part: Body, tail, eye, lashes, and mouth.
Decorating our Dragon
Switched the background color to red as it is an auspicious color in China. The tail and fins were then changed to black and filled in with gold Confetti Fill 5, followed by the mouth in Glitter Dust and eyelashes in Glitter Fill. These glittery brushes are from Gold Rush set available on Creative Market. Then the eyes were lined with white neon pen from the Lights set, along with the whites of the eye and the drawing of the paw. This set is also available on Creative Market. Loving the bling!
The Background
Now that I am pleased with how my Dragon turned out, let’s work on the background! Although I was after a celebratory effect, not too much that it distracts our Dragon from attention. Hence a few spots of gold Bokeh and Sparkles both also from the Gold Rush set. Then with the black Script brush (from Procreate), I carefully painted the Chinese character for Dragon followed by the year. And here goes!
Although dragons are seen to be fierce, I wanted to make mine cute and am pleased it turned out well. Kawaii and charming yet strong and mighty. We can’t make her too docile and vulnerable! She needs to protect us too. Plus Dragon is my zodiac so I need to make her special. Now wishing everyone out there a Happy Lunar Year and a prosperous, safe and healthy Year of the Dragon!
My Kawaii Quarter 