HEROMULE - Saxophone commission 2026 [WIPs+Fullsize]

Well, well. Finally can do complete post on this sketch comm!

This time it’s gonna be a bit different, as I want to do more step by step WIPs for this one.

First of all let’s start with my usual starting point for a lot of pre sketches. Basically where the idea is born. I used to do these so detailed and would lose time in the end. But at this point I keep it simple and only put details in some important parts (like emotions, for example).

As for references, well, I use literally everything. From ads to art and so on. But for this one I needed, obviously, something quiet specific (playing tenor sax). GettyImages and Pinterest (well except AI part) are solid. For some silly poses even like stock images work super good.

When the reference doesn’t exist or pain in the ass to find: photo myself. Little would you know how many hands of mine are in art ahahaha

For the general direction I am going a long time: I want to do less with more. I find stylization pretty interesting. The more you can show with your line and forms using only 2 or 3 the better. But still, long time to go I feel. And also dynamic…. (I need to be more bold with that)

And here where little tricks from HEROMULE come in hand. But honestly by now it’s pretty much well known method using 3D models. There no need even to open the Blender. Need something uber complicated? Jump in Sketchfab. My only issue would be that sometimes you cannot put the model in right direction. Artists don’t know how to draw literally everything and that’s okay, sometimes we need shortcuts. I may draw sax only once in my life, after all, and don’t have few days to learn (but I kinda want to).

There were and will be situations where I need to do mock ups myself in Blender or Magic Poser. There also situations where you need to all by hand. These are rare, but well, happens.

After flat colors were done, I still felt unsatisfied. I needed to add SAXOPHONE magic. Texture, volume, feeling of it. That’s were just basic photos comes handy. Analyzing and simplifying. Pretty basic things, but tbf I have no art education whatsoever. Just too stubborn to give up ahahah

And here is a pre final step. Where I just add some color for atmosphere. Still being a flat color, I couldn’t go further. Checked some details, fixed few things, looked at bar photos. And here we go.

In final stage wanted to give more TEXTURE to metal to resemble commissioner’s Saxophone with scratches and faded name.

Bon appétit, it’s ready.

Also, let me know if such posts would be interesting for you in the future!