[TTIO]

How do you do it? I've tried before, but I've always failed miserably
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[LeoEyes]

Well let’s see, I guess the biggest thing that has helped me out is using a tablet. Makes it so much better than a straight mouse. The main program I'm using right now is Corel Paint 9, though someday I would also like to get my hands on Photoshop.

I start out with a sketch of what I want to do an scan it in my computer. Then I take that scan into the program and create a second layer over top of it. That layer I do all my inking upon, add the outside of boxes and things like that. Second thing I do usually is make another layer under the ink layer. This will be for background coloring though often with each separate panel I create a separate layer. That’s so adding effects if I want them are easier.

I first start with base colors, something medium to the color range I want and paint it over the background. Then I grab my medium darks and paint it where I want them and smooth/blur it into the object. Either using a smooth blur tool or different texture blur tools if I want texture. Then I get my darker darks, blur that in and move to my medium lights, blur than in before finally using highlights. For things like rocks and rocky or not smooth ground I might take the sponge tool and dot in some texture that way.

One thing to keep in mind is often with my background objects I don't stick to one set of color ranges. I get multiple brown colors in the different shades or intensities I like. This is to help make it seem slightly more realistic and pop out better. Objects with just one set of tonal color tend to appear a little flat.

After the background is finished I make another layer and put it under the Ink layer. This will be for base character colors. Taking the magic wand tool I highlight the different areas on the characters and fill in their base colors.

When that is done I make another layer and set it to multiple before going through my color palette and deciding upon a color that would work best for shadows on the characters. One thing to note with multiple the darker color you pick the much darker shadows you will get. Using that I add in the shadows on the characters and I don't need to worry about blocking out the individual areas. Sometimes after this stage I create another multiple layer for the darker set of shadows if they area needed.

When that is done I make another layer and set it to screen. Then I pick out a light color for highlights on the characters and block that in. During both the multiple and screen layers I usually do the hair darks and highlights as well, using smooth strokes to place them.

Finally I make a layer for the eyes. I set down the base color then add the darks, smooth it in. Add light highlights; smooth that in before putting the lighter eye shine in.

Lastly I fill in the outside around the box colors and then take everything to Photoshop elements and add text balloons and text if needed.


So I guess the main thing is layers are your friend, they can make stuff much easier. Use a range of colors to build your background and characters. And practice of course ^_^

I hope it goes better, best of luck!

[Shrubwood]

WOW
That explains why it takes so long to create a comic...........
I am deeply impressed.
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The difficult decision and the right decision are often one and the same thing in this world.

http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Pseudois_schaeferi.html

[TTIO]

Indeed it does, and I'm thinking that its gonna take a while for me as well

Though mine will probably be mostly one offs, as opposed to comics (stuff like my new avatar, except that was professionally done)
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[LeoEyes]

Well once you practice with the program more and get used to it, it will come faster and your speed will increase. Though it does seem like alot to take in at first once you get going you'll be able to take more short-cuts and be faster.

Admittably I'm not a very fast colorer or drawer at this point, but I am faster than I used to be and I know some comic artists that can knock out pages in a matter of hours.

I would recommend starting out with simpler pictures and working your way up or trying some tutorials. Theres a couple on DA that are good.. hmm in fact.

This one is good for cell shading http://flowerlark.deviantart.com/art/Ink-and-Cel-Shade-on-Photoshop-85162347

And this has a bunch of links to tutorials if you'd like
http://artistshospital.deviantart.com/art/Hospital-Library-All-24706261

[TTIO]

Looks useful, thanks

I'll upload my first attempt when I've finished...
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[LeoEyes]

Glad to help! And I'm looking forward to that upload .

[TTIO]

Took an age, but I'm kinda done!

By kinda, I mean I've done all I can until I find my (sister's) graphics tablet.



http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s100/TTIOttio/GSG%20FanArt/Triela1-1.jpg
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[LeoEyes]

Good job! Lets see, only stuff I can recommend is of course keep practicing (which all us artists need). I also found looking at reference of real people lately has helped me with shading and figuring out angles/etc.

Best of luck finding that tablet, they really are useful.

[TTIO]

I found it after a little bit of searching, so I'm going to redraw some of the lines - namely the sides of the face and the arms.

Yay for tablets!
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[TTIO]

NOTE: I changed the URL of the image, so you may need to right click on it and then click "Reload Image" in order to see it.
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