Billy Christian shares his process for using simple 3D blockouts alongside expressive digital painting techniques to bring a Dungeons & Dragons core class character to life. The illustration captures the power and intellect of a female human wizard, surrounded by swirling tomes and glowing runes.

A low camera angle enhances her superior intelligence, positioning viewers beneath her in awe. White dominates the costume design, reinforcing clarity and authority. Billy explores several variations before settling on the final composition, with key elements like the staff and magical sphere brought into focus through subtle lighting.

The base figure is created using a Human Generator add-on, which speeds up the process for models that don’t require detailed facial features. The background remains simple, allowing the wizard to stand out. Billy then uses Blender’s Cycles render engine before bringing the scene to Photoshop for repainting and final colour grading.

For the face, Billy refines it first as focus is crucial. Hair poses a challenge in 3D, so he handles it primarily in 2D. Lighting plays a critical role, with a soft backlight adding power and side lights defining facial features. Robe structure requires minimal 3D work, allowing him to paint the folds for a more painterly aesthetic.

Billy recommends using specific brushes like his Painterly Brush and Rectangle Brush for different stages of the process. His advice is invaluable for anyone looking to blend digital techniques with traditional painting methods in fantasy illustration.