After that I've imported it on Adobe Illustrator CC, you can just directly drag the image to your canvas. And I then start tracing my work using pentool

So how I did this? I've taken a detailed screenshot of my tutorial explaining tools in illustrator from my old post. Check it out.

I think, you already get that one, okay let's move on

Next is dealing with types of strokes, as you can see below, what I have right there is flat tip, and you don't want to some lines with your work, so how are you going to make the tip edgy and give accent to your strokes.

(press (v) selection tool, to select you strokes, then click the drop down menu of word (Uniform) its where the different types of strokes are located, I've made a marker in the screen shot below to follow).

Next, choose the type of stroke that had a pointy edge, kindly check the mark.

See the changes? cool right? :D

You can always apply that to every detail of your line art (outline) of your work. It's very useful in tracing hairs of your character or what. Just follow the same process for good result.

One's you're getting the hang of it, you'll just notice that you're actually enjoys tracing your work.

Here's a TIP: you can always, hide the layer of your reference (the one that you're tracing) check the image below, I've put a mark on it, just click the eye icon to hide layer

In doing you this, you will be inspired to continue your work because you can actually see the progress of your work. "Oh I'm heading somewhere here" just a feeling like that, haha.

And, we're done tracing!

I hope you're still with me guys, just follow every process I'm doing, let's move on! Next is adding color

Let me share a little tips in choosing your colors,

This is some of my learning in my color theory class. If you're having difficulties in choosing color of your work, you can use the color wheel, using the complimentary colors.

So how to use it?
It's very easy, you just need to point the color opposite to its color, wait I'm having hard time a putting this to words. let have this visual explanation.

You just need to locate the color intersecting in front of your chosen color. Check this Example!

I hope you got that one, I know you're all smart, and catch up quickly 😃😄 later on you can check my work on how I apply complimentary colors, another tip: you can always choose different shade or tone of your color, it doesn't need to be green as green! you can use different shade of your chosen color.

Okay next!

You can create your own guide (color palette) by just making a rectangle and filling it with colors you want. I've picked some color reference I want for my work. I just used the eye dropper tool. Make sure, you're selecting your object(rectangle) using selection tool (v) and press (i) then click it to the area (color) you want to copy.

And after that we can start adding color to our line art.

You might say, why he is like messing when adding color to his work, easy guys, there's one great way to make things right. It's one way in coloring your work faster.
What you need to do this is select (v) the color and the outline that color you want to be in. (Note: make sure you didn't miss a single stroke that encloses the color, because the color may bleed, and you wont be able to take the overlapping color) After selecting, press (shist+m) (shapebuilder tool, allows you to delete overlapping objects)

As you can see above, if you place your cursor to the area you want delete, that area will be high lightened. After doing so, click (alt+left click) to the area that you want to be colored. Simple as that guys. Check this

Saw the magic guys? You can always do that process. Just be mindful of the Note I've given you.

I've started coloring in the skin. (Tip: When adding color, focus on one part only, for example, adding colors to part of skin tone, cape, suit, hair. In that way you may not be confused, you won't be able to switch colors from one place to another.)

Another thing, remember to put your outline layer on top of every layer, so that in won't covered by your colors

Next adding color to the suit

the same process guys! select outline,colors, press (shift+m) then (alt+left click) to the area you don't want to be colored.

As you can observe, the colors present from the screenshots is different from my final output. The reason behind it, is I always do revision when I feel like the colors are not good enough for me, but still the same process guys, no need to be confused.

it's like what you're doing with your coloring book, trust me it's fun guys!

Adding color to hair

Adding color to the eyes

I think we're good to go!

Next is adding shadows, its one the fundamental thing you need to apply in illustrating. You can search references in the internet on how apply or where to apply shadow to your character/work. What I did is, just fill the areas where the light is blocked. You don't need to perfectly add shadows to your work, at least close to being accurate.

Adding shadows adds more does not only gives some depth but adds drama to your work.

looking good...

btw in adding choosing the color of you shadow, press the object (color) then click the color on the lower left side and pop op option will appear, then drag down the level of the color (Note: Make sure not to overdo it, or adjusting it too much)

Next is adding another degree or shade of shadow, I've stared from darkest shade, so basically I'll have it lighter.

Are still with me guys? Haha, We're almost 50% of the number of screenshots, sorry to have this long, I just want to make a detailed tutorial, so that others may have the chance to learn. So let go!

Btw, I've made a another layer and put it below the darker shade of shadow so it wont cover it.

Another Tip: You can always play with the detail or flow of your shadow. Check this out

If you want to adjust things you think kinda awkward your can do it by pressing (v) to select object, then press(a) then click the anchorpoints you want to adjust. Check the Image below.

then start adding shadows to the cape

after that, next is adding shadows with the horn, again guys, still the same process, hope you're still hanging with me

Next adding shadows to the cigar

I think everything looking pretty good

And last part is adding highlights!

Adding highlights makes your work more complete and alive, it makes more things more like popping out, I mean without it, your work will look flat.

Check this out!

Just hang on guys! we're almost done 😂😂😂

Adding highlights to selected part of our character........

BTW, regarding to the back ground, I've just used pentool filled with colors which in the shade violet. I just used basic shapes like rectangle to make buildings. I've just illustrated it simply, a silhouette buildings are fine. I've also added elements like crescent moon and clouds to the background to add more feels in my illustration.

Here's a technique, what I did to the highlights is I've added some blur effect to it. so that it will blend a little bit with the subject. To do this, go to the menu bars, go to effect/blur/Gaussian blur/ then a pop op option will appear, then you can adjust the blurriness of the highlights. I don't strongly force you to do this, it's up to you if it fits with your taste.

Next is, I've illustrated a smoke coming from his cigar, and then achieve that transparent effect, just adjust the opacity to
30-40 percent. Check the image below:

Then I've a glowing added letter symbol to his chest

Everything is going as planned I think, so after I'm done (almost 90%), what I'm doing is, I import the image to the Adobe Photoshop, then I'll add some texture and adjust the image's curves,level, saturation, etc. In adding texture you cant just search for stock image texture in the internet/ Right click image's layer, click to blending option, then choose the blending style that fits to your work if its, _overlay, screen, multiply, etc.

And we're ready to save!

Here's the product of our long tutorial! hehe