Cover Image

Before we begin!

After following this guide I encourage you to experiment with different techniques from mine. Find what potentially works for you more.

Have Fun!

 

Also please note that this guide is designed for those who are familiar with the program’s features. AKA this is not a guide for those who are new to CSP.

Intro

Ever want to give your illustrations some shiny glitter, that resembles those holographic sheets that you put on things like stickers?

You have come to the right place!

Key Points

We’ll go over:

- Analyzing the Reference(s)

◆ Shape Variety

◆ Spreading and “Randomizing” The Shapes

- Making a Sheet

◆ Opening a New Canvas / Canvas Size I Use

◆ Making the Shapes

◆ Spreading and “Randomizing” The Shapes

◆ Giving the sheet more “Volume”

- Exporting as PNG & Registering as Image Material

- Using the Sheet

---

Analyzing the Reference(s)

People always say “Look up references” in order to “Help improve your work”.

But, how many people teach you how to study a reference? I’ll be that person today!

Finding a Reference Image

First, let’s search in your search engine “glitter overlay sheets”.

Finding a good reference can take some trial and error. Sadly all I can say is keep searching until you find something you like.

 

I’ll be using the image below for this guide!

---

We now have a reference image! What to look for?

Remember the key points I mentioned at the beginning? I will go over some of them in detail in this section.

Shape Variety

Notice how there’s a bunch of shapes in that image? Triangles, Diamonds, Trapezoids, etc.

This is mostly important to note with the more variety you have, the more “nicer” it’s going to feel. (Sorry I can’t think of a better word at the moment.)

 

Let’s go see an opposite example of that:

Here is a bunch of triangles with different sizes.

 

Now let’s see it be turned into a sheet:

It looks a little off, does it? I even flipped some around horizontally and vertically.

 

One of the causes is a Lack of Shape Variety.

Another cause is that I didn’t space out my shapes, which gives the sheet kind of a clunky feel.

Spreading and “Randomizing” The Shapes

This image looks familiar! I’ll be repeating the ref, so that you don’t have to scroll far.

Anyway, notice how the shapes are spread apart and “randomized”?

This is another important key factor to take note of.

 

Let’s head to the next section and start making our own!

---

Making a Sheet

Opening a New Canvas / Canvas Size I Use

Let’s begin by making a new canvas:

I use 2000 x 2700 px for the Canvas Size.

The Resolution doesn’t matter since we’re not printing.

 

The Paper Color is your choice! Personally I like using grey, it’s easier on my eyes.

Making the Shapes

Let’s start making a variety of shapes! (Triangles, Diamonds, Trapezoids, etc.)

 

If you are stuck on hand drawing them, I recommend tracing some of the shapes with a vector layer.

It’s not “cheating”, it can be a helpful study tool!

Drawing the Shapes

- Create a new Vector Layer (The layer with the White 3D Cube)

- Select the Straight Line Tool

◆ You can use a lineart tool instead if that’s easier for you!

◆ Also I have Anti Aliasing turned Off on the tool.

- Draw the shape with the tool

- Repeat this process until you get a bunch of shapes

◆ I will show a single shape below for an easier reference:

Note: Keep your lineart for the shapes in the Vector Layer.

- Next put a Raster Layer below the Vector Layer.

◆ A Raster Layer is a layer WITHOUT the White 3D Cube!

- Use your Fill Bucket Tool and click within the shape.

After you repeat this process for a bunch of shapes:

 

Before we merge the Vector and Raster layers together, I highly recommend making an “Archive” Folder!

This is so that your work isn’t completely lost if you make a mistake!

 

Copy and paste the layers into a new folder named “Archive”, click on the Eye icon to hide it.

Place it on the bottom of the layers.

Let’s merge the two layers together!

Note: Do NOT merge the layers in the Archive Folder! It is your backup layers!

---

This is my preferred method to merge layers, you can use a different way if you want to.

On the Raster Layer, Click on the square beside the Eye Icon to select it with the Vector Layer.

Right Click, and then Click on Merge Selected Layers.

 

It will turn into a Raster Layer.

Airbrushing the Shapes

- Grab your Airbrush Tool.

- Select the Color with Squares, (See Below) (It acts like an eraser)

- GENTLY erase one of the edges to make a gradient.

You should get this result below! (Or something similar)

Feel free to trace from this drawing!

Notice with how much more variety & with how much more spaced out it is, compared to the opposite examples below:

---

Spreading and “Randomizing” The Shapes

Copy and paste your shapes across the canvas, flip some of them as well for more variety.

Merge all copy pasted layers together when finished.

 

It’s up to you on what you want to do for this part, just make sure it fills the whole canvas.

---

Giving the sheet more “Volume”

- Copy and paste your layer full of shapes.

- Turn the opacity down. (I used 18%)

- Move that layer using Scale / Rotate.

 

You should get something like this result!

---

Exporting as PNG & Registering as Image Material

Before Exporting as PNG: Make sure your canvas is transparent.

For my case I have to hide the Paper Layer, and then I get a canvas with shapes & a checkered background.

 

You can merge the layers and register as an Image Material instead. Personally I like exporting as a PNG file first.

- Open your PNG File

- Edit > Register Material > Image

Make sure Tiling is On!

Any other settings are up to you.

 

Click OK to save.

You now made your first sheet! Now let's go use it!

Using the Sheet

How to use the sheet is all up to your preference!

 

I’ll show how I used it on one of my illustrations:

What I did:

 

- Drag the Image Material to the Canvas.

- Turn the Opacity Down. (19%)

- Turn on Lock Transparent Pixels.

- Fill with a Pink-ish Red Color.

- Turn off Lock Transparent Pixels.

- Erasing around my sona’s face using an Airbrush & Transparent Color.

- Set the layer to Add (Glow)

This is the Result!

Outro

I hope this guide was inspiring to you!

 

I’ll be posting some sheets I made soon-ish to Assets for free. Stay Tuned!