How to Draw a Times Square Scene With PicsArt’s Drawing Tools

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to create a magnificent scene from Times Square with PicsArt’s drawing tools. Read on to pick up the techniques, and then give it a try on your own!

Step 1: Create Sketch

Using a black brush with a slightly lowered opacity and hardness, create a rough sketch.

Step 2: Trace Over Your Sketch

Reduce the opacity of your sketch. With a thinner, harder brush, clean up your initial sketch by tracing over the image in a new layer. Hide your initial sketch by tapping the eye icon next to it in the layers panel.

Step 3: Fill In Your Background

Create a new layer, drag it to the bottom, and fill it with a dark blue color. Create a new layer right beneath your clean sketch layer. Start to color in the billboards and buildings in your sketch using cool colors with a soft brush.

Step 4: Add Color and Lighting Accents

Create new layers on top of your sketch layer and, using a variety of different warm colors, start adding bright color accents to your drawing with thinner brushes. 

Step 5: Add Final Details

Create new layers to add some new props into the foreground of your drawing—for example, the top edge of a stoplight and billboard. Then, use a thick, low opacity brush to add some shading accents to the edges of the scene. You’re done—don’t forget to save your work and share it!