Brain storming💡🗯️
This first step is crucial. It will decide the final outcome of your art.

This deals with:
📎 What are you going to draw?
📎 What does your drawing represent?
📎 How are you going to draw it?
📎 Are there certain techniques and effects that you want to use to express better?
📎 What message/impact would you want your art to have?

There are many other questions to ask to make sure you have thought of the best way to create your art.

(1) Reference Photos 🖼️

I was collecting ideas for a new art piece I am starting (not going to say what for, surprise)
Anyway, these are the pictures I've decided to use.

_{model: Jessel Cane}

Know what you want to draw and collect photos for reference.

You might get copyright issues from photographers if you use their photos without permission. So, I asked my friends if they wanted to volunteer to be an art subject.

So, I know what I want to draw now. ✅

The theme revolves on Mindanao island in the Philippines. So the elements I gathered:
💡 Waling waling flower (orchid) which is endemic to mindanao
💡A woman wearing Filipiniana outfit/ethnic attire (my friend)

I wanted to focus on the aesthetic side and with flowers which I am most familiar with.

I also collected others as a back up.

_{Model: Jessel Cane}
You need a lot of options. Some variations and make sure the image is clear, if not, you can edit the sharpness and contrast.

_{model: Jessel Cane}
Filipiñana attire in sepia.

_{@jacinta.sevilla and Jamila Canonigo}
I am wearing a maranao/maranaw tribe outfit, my friend is wearing manobo outfit.

_{Jamila, Adonis and Pikot}

_{Model: Pamela Janson

Photography by: Eden Licayan

Image Credit}
I asked my other friends too.

Pam again, she is wearing a manobo beaded outfit.

(2) Know the size and surface of your art✏️💭

First of all you must decide on

Size of your art
What surface and medium you want to use?

I have sketched a frame size, matting and the actual size of the artwork.

(3) Medium and Materials 📎🗯️

Medium and materials will provide you the right feel and effect you want to achieve.

✨I wanted to create a soft and calm feel to my art.
✨ Something easy, preferably dry media which I am used to.
✨ Something colorful and something that will stand out.