So, what does your art process look like? Do you make multiple sketches or just one? How many layers do you use? Do you use any filters on the completed piece to bring it all together? I usually start with one sketch but sometimes I have to do multiple because my initial sketch can be pretty messy. Then I go through with lining, coloring and shading. Every so often I'll throw a filter on it (which is mostly seen on my dratinis). I'll use up to 7-20 layers if needed.
bless all these art threads i usually go sketch (+detail sketch layer if needed, mostly for detailed clothes) > lineart > clean the lineart > flat colors > clean colors > overlays > shading (+lighting if the piece calls for it) > clean shading > hair lighting > backgrounds > last details on anything > possible layer affects if needed > final overlays >signature layer this seems like a lot but its really not lmao. i use about 10-20 layers each time!
now i know your secrets haha I do have a question tho since I never do highlights. What layer mode do you put your highlight layer on? I could never figure out how to make highlights work.
if its for the hair lighting, i actually just use a normal layer and run white on it and set the opacity down! for more complex highlights (like my lighting because hey it should count and i like rambling about my art process) i might run a multiply layer over the whole thing and start erasing the layer to create the lighting! its like reverse shading hah
My art process is sketch on paper scan/take photo of sketch pop in photoshop and make any adjustments to the sketch flip the sketch and then make more adjustments Start filling in the shapes, flipping as I finish a section.. It usually goes: Face skin + Neck Hair Face details (eyes etc) Head details (horns/hats/animal ears) Torso Extras (tails, wings etc) Legs Arms Shoes Hands (Save the worst for last haha) Background (Sometimes background comes first) I shade as I do each section, I select my colours by darkening the selected colour and sliding the colour wheel slightly. So I might be using a more purple blue to shade a blue or a more green blue depending on the lighting. Make any adjustments or character specific detailing like how Haze's hair has a slight glow to it or Illuminyati will sometimes have stardust leaking from the back of their head. I then add sparkles and highlights. I use an overlay layer for highlights and a normal layer for sparkles. Add texture if wanted. Then at the end I view the image with proof colours, usually it'll look a little duller so I'll throw a Hue Saturation change layer and up the saturation a lil. Sometimes I go for a more washed out look so I might lower the saturation or the exposure. Then watermark layer and done! (also pop in like 49 procrastination steps in there)
wow mine sounds boring in comparison For me, it goes like this: sketch > lineart > flat color > opacity layer (for hair that goes over the eyes) > shading > hair lighting > background > overlay. My art is very simple so my process is as well, heh.
Gosh, I feel like an amateur. My art process consists of draw a picture, color it, and if I'm really proud of it, I take a picture of it and do proper lineart, base colors, and shading for it. As for layers, I really haven't figured out how to use them, so I usually just have the single layer. It can make things a pain in the butt, but it works okay for me.
Most of the time it starts with a sketch I did on paper, scanned and brought up onto GIMP/Sai- although I have started to practice sketching digitally. Then I digitally go over the paper sketch and add/change anything that might be needed. This can go as much as 4-5 layers depending on details, background, or the actual character. Once I got that all fixed up I make the final line art, usually a thin pen line in pure black. If I'm doing small or pixel art I just fill in with the bucket and don't bother with shading. When I'm doing larger art I put each color in a layer, then shadow and highlight on that layer. I'm still figuring out my coloring style, however I've found a mix of Brush and Water quite fun as it reminds me of watercolor paints. From there I either clean it up around the line art or delete the line art and clean it up as a lineless. I slip in a signature (I tend to not do it on small pixel works cause ..no room..) and that's it!
When I draw, I make a basic sketch and layer over it with a line art. My layers have gotten a little out of hand, 10 or 15 when I forget to merge things. I don't usually bring photos through but when I do, I just take a photo to layer over or reference. I would say for me, coloring is easiest, magic wand, lasso, color block tool, oh we are in business. Sketch-> lower opacity-> Line-> Color-> Attempt to Shade-> Delete Shade-> Add it again and regret trying to shade. Honestly, I have just been sticking to sketches lately, finding them more satisfying than full pieces.
