The second step is to refine the sketch. Define all the base lines, stature and mimics. I suppose this is the most technique demanding part. Try to define some design features as well. Actually the painter decides when the sketch is done. You can draw some basic lines and shapes OR refine it perfectly. It is a matter of techniques and knowledge.

Creating a character

It's done. I have changed a little bit of design. Now let's put the basic color scheme. Stage3 – basic colors.

Create another layer (color) –ctrl + shift +n.

Creating a character

And here it is - purple skin and yellow - green equipment. Plus to that I have decided to put basic lights on the fly.

Note: decide from which side the light is eliminating the character. The color from the Lighten side is much lighter then
 
from the opposite side. You have to consider that all the time. This is one of the basic value rules.

Refine the colors. Make them look good and realistic.

Creating a character

AE - our character is basically done.

The colors are where they suppose to be- I think it's almost perfect. But one little thing remains unfinished about this guy. He has no shadows. So let's fix this. With all that I have changed the color of our (layer1) background layer from yellow to purple.

For this I use basic Rough 6 - 10 pixels BLACK brush with opacity about 10 - 15 %. And we also need a little more lightning. We can use the same brush with the same settings but IT will be white this time. Try to think how the light is effecting out character. The more the Objects POP from center ( in 3d) - the more they will be affected by the light ) –

Creating a character