Expanded Digital Illustration using AI and Traditional Methods

Introduction

This assignment is based on an inspirational new share from Adobe. You will explore a workflow that bridges human creativity with machine intelligence, using the provided PSD file to expand a concept into a full digital illustration.

Instructions

Using the provided PSD file, create an expanded version of the digital illustration by following these creative steps:

1. Step 1: Add Style and Texture. Combine elements of photography with bold, graphic illustration. You are encouraged to use Generative Fill to add detail and texture to sketches.
2. Step 2: Create Atmospheric Detail. Generate custom images for your background, such as specific cloud formations, to match your vision.
3. Step 3: Utilize Smart Objects. Convert generative or illustrative layers into Smart Objects before integrating them into your primary composition to maintain non-destructive editing.
4. Step 4: Finesse and Finalize. Adjust all elements until the emotional impact of the work matches your intent.

Since the provided PSD already gives the dimension, You just need to download the file and open it in Photoshop to begin with.

Please create a new composition based on this one. You can replace what I'm showing here, but keep the same format (Download PSD). Please use our reverse engineering design concept, which is article shared in the same module this week. Please read that article and use the gallery to put a new work.

Methods & Tools

While this assignment highlights the use of Generative Fill, you are explicitly allowed—and encouraged—to use traditional Photoshop methods such as the Marquee Tool for manual fills, Blending Modes (Color, Hard Light), and Adjustment Layers to achieve your results.

You can find a gallery in the module  that may help speed up your creative process.

Step 1: Add style and texture.

Magdiel often combines elements of photography with bold, graphic illustration. In this artwork, he used Generative Fill to add detail and texture to his sketch of a denim poncho.

Step 2: Create atmospheric detail.

Try generating a custom image for your background. For this design, Magdiel opened up a separate document and created a prompt for the exact kind of cloud he had in mind, then selected one that matched his vision.

Step 3: Turn it into a Smart Object.

He then turned the generative layer into a Smart Object and dragged and dropped it into his working file, using his favorite techniques to work the image into the composition.

Step 4: Finesse and finalize.

Once Magdiel was satisfied, he added and adjusted more elements until it felt just right. “I want people to feel something when they see my work,” he says, “to mirror what they’re looking at with their own feelings.”