Research + References

Sketches

I tried to draw Yonezu with as much references as I could possibly fit and I tried sketches where I just drew him without any references.

I decided to choose the top middle sketch out of the nine because it referenced the album Stray Sheep, which was released at the time. On top of that, Yonezu performed at a Fortnite concert wearing the sheep mask. I felt if this was going to be a cover, fans would recognize that this was Kenshi Yonezu.

Iterations

I tried iterations where I could fit in more references, such as the Official Orange and Diorama album. At the same time I wanted to show Yonezu's creativity, skill, and journey.

In the end I chose the top right iteration because it showed the most of what I wanted and hints at Yonezu's art skills. I liked the idea of him drawing a city, because that was what he did in his childhood, creating a town with characters. That town was turned into the album Diorama, which he sung, written, produced, arranged, illustrated and mixed all by himself, with no collaboration. I tried to reference the album Bootleg in this iteration by using rectangles in the background.

Value study

Color variations

The colors were referenced from Yonezu's Stray Sheep album. I was intrigued by the colors because it felt magical and dreamy, which I felt matched the tone of the chosen sketch. I tried to do different variations of the same color palette. I stuck with the dark red instead of the black since I felt it emphasized the dreamy atmosphere.

Final 

I ended up getting rid of the rectangles because I felt it made things unclear. So I added clouds instead. I rendered the buildings like a pen drawing, which was Yonezu's style or art. I also used textures to make certain areas pop, like the buildings and the sheep mask.

Mockup