You Don't Have To Draw Your Visual Novel Backgrounds

If you're an aspiring video game writer with no proper programming or digital drawing skills, then you're like me.

Game writers don't have a lot of control over the video game process, and that's fine, team work makes the dream work. BUT what if it's our baby? What if we have a game idea we feel strongly about? This typically means you've probably already come up with a visual design and ideas, but depending on your income, social skills and the nicheness of your game- you may not feel comfortable working with outsiders on this particular project, unless you're the one who can be the creative director.

In this case you've probably already considered doing some of the art yourself.

Here's softwares in which you don't have to "draw" anything. (As far as I presently know).

#1. Blender

But everyone knows that by now right? Blender is a 3D computer graphics software. Blender has a Line Art feature that outlines the 3D model of your design, making it look like you drew it, you can export it to photoshop and other art/editing softwares like Paint Tool SAI and edit it further to trick the eye into thinking it's a handrawn 2D image.

Here's a video showing that process. Apparently a lot of people do this for 2D backgrounds, impressive isn't it?

#2 Tracing architecture/interior design pics

This kinda breaks my rule of being "draw free" since you're tracing, you're kinda drawing but it's not the same since you're using a guide?

I've thought about doing this, I heard some people do it with their sims 4 builds, or even just blurring the background for a starter visual novel. The only reason I haven't is because of proportions, I feel like the furniture sizes compared to the size of the sims feel oddly big? Like a dollhouse.

Then there's architecture and interior design pics, a lot of people use pictures as reference art, and recreate a similar picture by drawing outlines in photoshop, or using color blobs that trick the eye into see the shapes and blurring the background.

I remember playing otome games with blurry backgrouonds and my eyes were invested in the character sprites and the story the whole time, it didn't detract as much as you might think, and I didn't notice unless I had to study the scene later.

Here's a video example of someone tracing using Clip Studio Paint.

#3. Sketchup

If you're a former sims 4 player like me, I'd recommend learning how to use Sketchup. There is a learning curve but there's similar push and pull build mechanics with Sketchup, you can also download furnishings from a library to decorate your builds. Once you become familiar with the features not only can you build buildings, you can even design your own furniture and decor.

I know I said this was supposed to be a "draw free" software, but again, this software does let you draw lines, but it's more like you're drawing lines and shapes but using a system's assistance?

Below are talented Sketchup Designers, by watching them you'll get the general gist of why I compared it to the Sims, and why the drawing I mentioned doesn't really feel like drawing.

Exhibit B (still ipad): @sketch_Madina

On a paid plan version of sketchup you can render your image to look 3D, or you may use extensions, for the free version, you may download your file and render it in a different applications like blender, photoshop, etc.

If you don't want to do it yourself, consider outsourcing artists online.

This costs money of course, so make sure you have some!

Acon3d

Do you absolutely love reading manhwa webtoons because of the gorgeous backgrounds and art? Look no further, you can purchase backgrounds for commercial works on acon3d.com. Acon 3D makes 3D backgrounds using mostly Sketchup, and makes a crap ton of brushes and assets for Clip Studio Art.

This site is a testament as to how useful the tool is for not just architects but graphic designers and environment designers/background artists.

With sketchup, you can also make objects like beverages and objects.

Next up we have Artstation. I've oogled artists on artstation, even finding the artists who made my favorite backgrounds for mycandylove.com but as for the actual process of contacting an artist? Never tried. I lacked the budget to employ them and do them justice so just studied their art and took notes of what software they used to make their art if listed.

VGEN.co

Now if you don't know, Vgen.co is like a website you can go to commission for vtuber models, twitch stream UI, emotes and backgrounds etc. There are some artists- few in comparison to the majority, but still, some, who do make visual novel backgrounds and character sprites. I discovered one talented etsy seller who made UI for vtubers and I fell in love with their work instantly. On Etsy they go by Spooky Sony, but on vgen they simply go by Sony.

Itch.io

Everyone should know about itch.io, a place popular for game jams and posting indie starter games, but also professional ones. I've seen Long Live The Queen, and Doki, Doki Literature Club listed there. You can find a lot of assets on itch.io but I also personally think that at times assets are still hidden from the initial keyword searches. . . that's just me though.

Presently for background art, I'd argue there's no real background artists on itch.io, accounts are either inactive or AI.

I made an art jam review on itch.io for artists but presently it's still awaiting review. I hope it can be posted soon. Itch.io needs more art- indie game devs all flock there so I believe artists might gain something if they posted more art resources there too.

I have faith one day that more artists will post there so stay tuned!

Itch.io may not have much background art, but there are some resources like GUI and character designers there that may save you time on making character sprites. Among them I found two gems.

#1. Stella Character Generator by Visu Stella

A software that uses premade drawn assets to arrange a character sprite.

It's actually something I've been asking for, for a long time! Visu Stella makes a ton of art assets for RPG Maker so check them out!

#2. Memao Sprite Sheet Creator by Sleeping Robot Games

I downloaded it sometime back but looks like I'll have to update it again as the creator has added new action animations for the pixel sprites! Before it showed your sprite simply walking or running with hair movement but now it shows some farm labor animations, so if you're making a farming game, you should check this out!

They're also developing a Fantasy Sprite Sheet Creator.

I'll edit this if I stumble across anything new, but for now I hope this helped.