Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ben Eblen shows how to take a photo reference and turn it into a stylized character using basic shapes, grayscale values, and digital tools like clipping masks and layer modes. He explains his thought process switching between 2D and 3D, and how to build up believable lighting, color, and form. The focus is on structure, simplicity, and stylized design.
Get the Digital Painting Fundamentals Course - proko.com/digitalpainting
Check out Ben’s course on Stylization - proko.com/course/illustrating-a-stylized-character
Get the Filthy Photoshop Plugin - proko.com/tool/filthy-photoshop-plugin
Learn More About Digital Painting - youtube.com/watch?v=WUZ5V2aWJzg&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHHBiU_VqcY_L9T2iFDeCUJH
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - Sketch
04:54 - Value
16:12 - Color
21:43 - Refinement
24:28 - Outro
Subscribe to Proko: bit.ly/SubProko
Don't miss new tutorials - Hit the BELL!
Premium Videos - proko.com/store
Pose photo sets - proko.com/poses
FOLLOW PROKO:
Email Newsletter - proko.com/subscribe
instagram.com/prokotv
twitter.com/prokotv
tiktok.com/@prokotv
facebook.com/prokotv
WATCH MORE PROKO:
Latest Uploads: youtube.com/watch?v=-Pu1uGh1-Y4&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHH0YGMCXa4uWsHVwTDkDcpN
Figure Drawing: youtube.com/watch?v=74HR59yFZ7Y&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHGuMuprDarMz_Y9Fbw_d2ws
Art of Caricature: youtube.com/watch?v=FOURPIkpPXk&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHEkeRGn6aFRct0kq4oDwwTa
Popular Videos: youtube.com/watch?v=1EPNYWeEf1U&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHHR_SKsGtufNd8uo2L7_vTQ
ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high-quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor - Ben Eblen (youtube.com/@beneblendesign)
Producer - Stan Prokopenko (https://www.stanprokopenko.com), Sean Ramsey (http://www.peoplewhodrawstuff.com)
Production Assistance - Stephen Clark (https://www.peppermintgentleman.com), Sierra Tillman, Sean Ramsey
Editing - Sierra Tillman, Sean Ramsey
Publishing - John Birchall, Alex Otis
Music by Epidemic Sound
Ben Eblen shows how to take a photo reference and turn it into a stylized character using basic shapes, grayscale values, and digital tools like clipping masks and layer modes. He explains his thought process switching between 2D and 3D, and how to build up believable lighting, color, and form. The focus is on structure, simplicity, and stylized design.
Get the Digital Painting Fundamentals Course - proko.com/digitalpainting
Check out Ben’s course on Stylization - proko.com/course/illustrating-a-stylized-character
Get the Filthy Photoshop Plugin - proko.com/tool/filthy-photoshop-plugin
Learn More About Digital Painting - youtube.com/watch?v=WUZ5V2aWJzg&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHHBiU_VqcY_L9T2iFDeCUJH
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - Sketch
04:54 - Value
16:12 - Color
21:43 - Refinement
24:28 - Outro
Subscribe to Proko: bit.ly/SubProko
Don't miss new tutorials - Hit the BELL!
Premium Videos - proko.com/store
Pose photo sets - proko.com/poses
FOLLOW PROKO:
Email Newsletter - proko.com/subscribe
instagram.com/prokotv
twitter.com/prokotv
tiktok.com/@prokotv
facebook.com/prokotv
WATCH MORE PROKO:
Latest Uploads: youtube.com/watch?v=-Pu1uGh1-Y4&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHH0YGMCXa4uWsHVwTDkDcpN
Figure Drawing: youtube.com/watch?v=74HR59yFZ7Y&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHGuMuprDarMz_Y9Fbw_d2ws
Art of Caricature: youtube.com/watch?v=FOURPIkpPXk&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHEkeRGn6aFRct0kq4oDwwTa
Popular Videos: youtube.com/watch?v=1EPNYWeEf1U&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHHR_SKsGtufNd8uo2L7_vTQ
ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high-quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor - Ben Eblen (youtube.com/@beneblendesign)
Producer - Stan Prokopenko (https://www.stanprokopenko.com), Sean Ramsey (http://www.peoplewhodrawstuff.com)
Production Assistance - Stephen Clark (https://www.peppermintgentleman.com), Sierra Tillman, Sean Ramsey
Editing - Sierra Tillman, Sean Ramsey
Publishing - John Birchall, Alex Otis
Music by Epidemic Sound
