Step into the Upside Down with a reversible Stranger Things illustration inspired by key moments from Season 4.
FINISHED ILLUSTRATION
DETAILS
PROCESS
This artwork was built through a very organic process:
I sketched different elements, traced and combined them using parchment paper so I could shift pieces around freely,
letting the composition grow naturally.
I always knew I wanted Vecna on one side and Max’s iconic cemetery scene on the other, almost like mirror images.
Will and Eleven were added to reinforce their connection to Vecna and their importance to Season 4.
As the layout evolved, the shapes began forming the silhouette of Vecna’s head: turning the mind-manipulator into the hidden centre of the composition when viewed upside down.
I transferred the final design onto watercolor paper using a light table and a red Prismacolor pencil. Then I painted it using Japanese watercolors, Caran d’Ache watercolor pencils, and touches of fluorescent acrylic gouache to make the reds pop. Watercolor pencils helped define and smooth areas with water, while permanent colored pencils kept the textured strokes where needed.
I sketched different elements, traced and combined them using parchment paper so I could shift pieces around freely,
letting the composition grow naturally.
I always knew I wanted Vecna on one side and Max’s iconic cemetery scene on the other, almost like mirror images.
Will and Eleven were added to reinforce their connection to Vecna and their importance to Season 4.
As the layout evolved, the shapes began forming the silhouette of Vecna’s head: turning the mind-manipulator into the hidden centre of the composition when viewed upside down.
I transferred the final design onto watercolor paper using a light table and a red Prismacolor pencil. Then I painted it using Japanese watercolors, Caran d’Ache watercolor pencils, and touches of fluorescent acrylic gouache to make the reds pop. Watercolor pencils helped define and smooth areas with water, while permanent colored pencils kept the textured strokes where needed.
Sketch elements
Trace elements into pieces of parchment paper
Traced the finished composition
Painting using Japanese watercolours and acrylic gouache
Detailing with coloured pencils
Sketch vs Final Painting
Watch the full process in the video below ↓
