MIX-MATCH and DRAW

danyustudio · 2025-04-12T08:07:08+02:00

I love this work, and your concept!

by Mariana Perez @marianaprag

(Automatically translated from Spanish) Show original

Introduction

This “mix, match, and draw” is a personal children’s play project in which you must combine pieces or shapes to create characters.
In addition to the 12 characters presented, you can create your own and, using the silhouettes, also draw them by combining colors and motifs (patterns), which makes it more interesting and fun.

Materials

To make the illustrations I use procreate.
Photoshop for presentations.
I start by sketching the general idea on paper with markers, in a very loose and carefree way: it serves as a reference in Procreate where I decide to create the final illustrations and also to see how the colors work.

Development

I decided to create characters with simple basic shapes such as ovals, trapezoids, rectangles, and semicircles for the structure of the drawing and later use in children's drawings as a creative resource.
My color palette is cheerful: contrast of primary and secondary colors, black and white.
My idea consists of 12 cards measuring approximately 10 x 14 cm with reference characters, each with their name and personal characteristics.
Behind each card are six colors and six patterns, plus the silhouettes of each character, which are black on the back. The heads are profiles that can face left or right.
The game is simple:
1-Take a card and look for the corresponding shapes to build that character.
2-Combine different shapes to create other characters not on the game cards. Give them a name (personality).
3-take the silhouettes, draw the outline in pencil on a sheet of paper, observe colors and textures that I like and complete my own illustrated character.
Age: 5+
Objective: observe shapes, colors, motifs, combine, draw with a guide, stimulate children's creativity.
Purpose: educational material for schools, printables for playing at home, commercial game.

Process in Procreate (app)

I use flat colors with textures, patterns and line details.

The shapes are created using the syrup brush from procreate with a flat color fill (color drop), using a clipping mask I apply textures (oberon brush -procreate), I add line details with the inka ink brush (procreate), zig, for the motifs I have used personal pattern brushes (polka dots, stripes, zig-zag Scottish ..) to achieve a less flat effect and add interest since I do not use lights, shadows, or gradients in this style.

Final illustrations

Once I have all my illustrations finished in Procreate, I export them in PSD format to Photoshop.
I created the cards containing each character in PS using the Rectangle tool. I achieved the rounded corners by opening the Properties panel and changing the corner radius, for example, to 0.81 cm on my cards.
I give the background of the cards a neutral cream color.

mockup

I use layer effects to create parallel shadows, highlight the pieces, and create details, creating a personal mockup that creates a playful, free look.

Thanks for watching!