Stackmon devlog: Illustration Design Tips & Workflow

The Stackmon devlog presents a practical illustration workflow built around consistency, iteration, and layered rendering. Nate, a member of the Stackmon art team, explains how new object illustrations begin with information about the assigned assets and then develop through research, concept exploration, cleanup, color application, and finishing work.

This process is useful for understanding how a cohesive game art style can be maintained across many different objects. Rather than treating each illustration as an isolated drawing, the workflow begins by studying assets that already exist in Stackmon. That reference-first approach creates a visual connection between older material and new work.

The strongest lesson is simple: style consistency is planned before the first clean line is drawn. References guide shape language, detail density, proportions, and the level of visual complexity expected from the finished illustration.

Video Highlights:

• Nate introduces the object illustration process used by the Stackmon art team
• Existing assets are reviewed to maintain visual coherence across the game
• Multiple concepts are created before one direction is selected
• The final rendering moves through outlines, base colors, shadows, highlights, and midtones

Reference gathering is the foundation of the process. The artist first reviews information about the assigned objects, then searches through previously produced Stackmon assets. Additional visual references can be collected for item shape, surface details, construction, and decorative elements.

This does not mean copying an earlier asset. The goal is to understand the visual rules that make the collection feel connected. A reference can answer questions such as:

• How detailed should the object be?
• Which shapes appear repeatedly in the game’s visual language?
• How are small features simplified?
• What level of contrast separates the object from its background?
• Which decorative details support the design rather than clutter it?

A useful reference board should contain both internal references and external visual references. Internal assets preserve the established Stackmon identity, while outside references can provide ideas for materials, silhouettes, and visual storytelling.

The most efficient approach is selective comparison. Choose references that answer a design question instead of collecting images without a purpose. For example, one reference may clarify the silhouette, another may help with surface treatment, and a third may suggest a distinctive detail.

The official Stackmon Instagram channel is also a useful place to monitor the project’s public-facing visual presence. Use official channels for current art direction, announcements, and presentation context rather than relying on isolated reposts.

After references are collected, the workflow moves into concept development. Several variations are created to test different directions before one option is selected. This stage protects the final piece from becoming locked into the first idea too early.

Concept variations can differ in silhouette, arrangement, proportions, detail placement, or overall emphasis. They do not need to be fully rendered. Their purpose is to make major design decisions visible while changes are still inexpensive.

Follow this process when planning a Stackmon-style object illustration:

The clean-copy stage is especially important because it separates exploration from production. Once the direction has been chosen, the artist can focus on controlled line work instead of continuing to debate the basic design.

The rendering process described in the devlog uses a clear sequence. The artist begins with an outline, then uses an eraser to remove selected portions and create variation in the line. This prevents the contour from appearing mechanically uniform and helps the illustration feel more deliberate.

The next stage introduces basic colors. After the base colors are established, shadow layers, highlights, and midtones build volume and separation. Each layer has a distinct job:

• Outlines define the main structure and clarify the silhouette.
• Line variation prevents every edge from carrying identical visual weight.
• Base colors establish the primary material and object identity.
• Shadows describe depth, overlap, and changes in surface direction.
• Highlights draw attention to light-facing areas and reflective details.
• Midtones connect the extremes and keep the rendering readable.

A restrained approach usually produces the clearest result. Shadows should support form instead of covering the base color. Highlights should guide attention instead of appearing on every edge. Midtones are valuable because they preserve readable transitions between darker and lighter areas.

The order of operations also improves efficiency. If the silhouette is weak, adding more rendering will not solve the underlying issue. If the palette is unclear, additional highlights may only increase visual noise. Review each stage before advancing to the next.

A final review should compare the completed illustration with both the original brief and the established Stackmon asset style. The objective is not simply to add more detail. It is to confirm that every visible choice supports clarity, consistency, and the intended object identity.

Use this checklist before considering an illustration finished:

A thumbnail review is valuable because it removes the distraction of tiny details. If the object still reads clearly when reduced, its main design choices are doing their job. If it becomes confusing, return to the silhouette, proportion, and color separation before adding more polish.

The finished illustration should also be compared with nearby assets rather than viewed alone. A single image may look attractive in isolation but feel inconsistent when placed beside the rest of the project. Cohesion is judged across the collection.