0. Introduction

This is a tip on how to draw the sky using screentones, the most classic and easiest method.

We will introduce a layer structure that allows for easy corrections and adjustments, and brushes that allow you to draw skillfully, quickly, and intuitively.

These tips are aimed at beginners, but there is some trivia that has not been explained in previous tips, so we think that even professionals will find them useful.

 

 

In this painting, we will paint the sky in the empty space above the mountain.

1. Preparing layer folders

Let's prepare layers for drawing the sky. Here, we will introduce recommended layer setup methods and combinations when drawing the sky.

First, create a new layer folder.

You can create one from the red arrow folder icon at the top of the layer palette. If the icon is not there, it is on the command bar at the bottom of the layer palette. You can also right-click on the layer palette and select [New Layer Folder].

I named the layer folder [1.Sky].

 

 

Next, use the Magic Wand tool to select the area you want to draw the sky, then press [Mask outside selection] in the selection launcher to create a layer mask in the [1.Sky] folder.

You can also right-click the [1.Sky] folder and select [Layer Mask] - [Mask outside selection].

Now, when you draw on a layer in the [1.Sky] folder, any lines that go beyond the blue area will not be displayed. You can draw freely without worrying about lines going beyond the boundaries.

You can enable/disable the mask by pressing [Shift] and clicking the layer mask thumbnail.

You can see that the areas that were masked and hidden in blue now have pictures drawn on them.

You can show/hide the mask by pressing [Alt] and clicking the layer mask thumbnail.

When creating a layer mask, show the blue part, but hide it when you start drawing as it will be a visual distraction.

These can also be registered as shortcuts.

You can set them from the [File] menu on the menu bar, [Shortcut Key Settings] - Settings area [Main Menu] - [Layer] - [Layer Mask], [Enable Mask] and [Show Mask Area].

We recommend registering shortcuts as they are faster than moving the pen to the layer palette and clicking, and you don't have to move your pen from where you are drawing.

Now the layer folder for drawing the sky is ready.

2. Prepare a gradation that will serve as the base for the blue sky.

Now, let's draw the sky in the [1.Sky] folder we created earlier.

First, use the [Gradient] tool's [Drawing color to transparent color] to create a gradient screentone that will serve as the base for the sky.

Once you have placed it temporarily, adjust the color. Select the gradient layer in the layer palette, then use the [Object] tool to set the drawing color's brightness (Value) on the [Color Slider] from 0% to about 80%.

You can also use the [Color Circle]. In any case, change the color from black to light gray.

The base of the blue sky is now complete. Name this gradient layer [BlueSky].

3. Prepare a layer to draw white clouds.

Next, prepare a solid white layer to draw the clouds.

 

 

First, change the drawing color from black to white, then

Right-click on the layer palette and click [New Layer] - "Solid Color".

A [Solid Color] layer has been created with the entire surface painted white. Delete everything by selecting [Clear] from the [Edit] menu on the menu bar, and make the [Solid Color] layer blank. The entire surface will be displayed as a blue mask area.

I have created a layer for drawing clouds. I'll name this layer [Cloud].

 

One problem when drawing something in white is that there is no difference between the white of the manuscript paper and the white of the drawing, so it can be hard to tell what I have drawn where.

If you have a white [Solid] layer, you can toggle the display of the mask area to see what you've drawn where.

 

 

Also, with a [Solid Color] layer, you don't need to switch from the main drawing color. You can draw in white while keeping the drawing color black. You can draw faster because you don't have to go through the trouble of switching colors.

To erase something, simply change the drawing color to transparent and you can erase it.

Now the layer is ready.

I created an auto action to create this blank solid fill layer, so I'm also distributing it. It's useful for creating masks for characters other than clouds.

4. Introduction of special cloud brushes

This time we have prepared two special basic cloud brushes.

First, there is a cloud brush with clearly defined outlines.

The density and size of the clouds changes depending on the pressure of the pen. By making strokes that start with strong pressure and then gradually weakening the pressure, you can create clouds that seem distant. If you use it like a stamp, you can create sparse clouds.

This brush goes well with monochrome styles of painting that use few grayscales or screen tones.

The other is a cloud brush with blurred edges.

This brush works well with illustration styles that use a lot of screentones and grayscale.

 

 

This time, we will use a clear cloud brush to draw the sky.

5. Draw white clouds with a brush

Let's draw clouds on the [Cloud] layer we prepared earlier.

You can draw clouds without having to think too hard about it, just by making some strokes with the cloud brush.

By switching the display of the mask area, you can check what kind of cloud you have drawn while drawing.

If you change the drawing color to transparent, you can use the cloud brush like an eraser. I recommend you to adjust the area you have drawn by erasing it with transparent.

6. Cloud drawing patterns

Clouds can look realistic even if you draw them randomly, but I'll show you some common cloud placements in manga. What I'll explain here is not how to draw clouds, but rather how to make manga easier to read.

One example is small clouds scattered all over the sky. If you don't scatter the clouds all over the sky, but leave some space at the top, it will be easier to see and will create a more cohesive blue sky in your manga.

Another example is filling the lower part of the sky with clouds. This method increases the contrast between the sky and the mountains, buildings, people, etc. in the foreground, making them easier to see.

You can also draw clouds in the sky.

Next is an example of clouds with a strong sense of perspective. They have a sense of dynamism and create the feeling that something is about to begin. They are used in dynamic layouts where the characters and background are integrated. They have an effect similar to converging lines, making them a flashy and eye-catching arrangement. They are also useful when you want to create a sense of wind flow. On the other hand, they are a layout you should avoid with a quiet background.

7. Let's draw a cumulonimbus cloud

Next, let's draw a cumulonimbus cloud. First, use a brush to roughly draw the cloud so that it looks like it is piling up.

We will adjust the shape of the cumulonimbus cloud. We will add small clouds to the edge of the cumulonimbus cloud.

Add flowing clouds around the cumulonimbus cloud.

Round the top of the cumulonimbus cloud with a large pen instead of a brush.

The cloud shape is complete. Next, let's make the blue sky a little darker.

Using the Object tool, change the drawing color of the [Blue Sky] layer to a brightness of 20% to 50%. This will increase the contrast, making the cumulonimbus clouds stand out more.

Next we'll add a shadow to the cumulonimbus cloud.

Right-click on the layer palette and click [New Layer]-[Screentone], then set [Intensity] to [5%].

This will create a solid 5% screentone layer.

Next, clip this screen tone layer to the [Cloud] layer.

Select the screen tone layer in the layer palette and click the red arrow in the top left of the layer palette. It will be clipped so that it does not extend beyond the layer below. The screen tone that was applied to the entire screen is now only applied inside the thundercloud. The entire thundercloud is now in shadow.

Use a transparent cloud brush to scrape the shadow of the cumulonimbus cloud so that it looks like it is being hit by light.

I was able to draw a cumulonimbus cloud. By clipping the shadow screen tone, I can draw freely without worrying about it going over the edge.

8. Add another layer to the clouds to create depth.

Sometimes you may feel like one layer of clouds is not enough. In that case, try adding another cloud layer.

First, duplicate the [Cloud] layer. Right-click and [Duplicate Layer] to create [Cloud 2], then delete everything by [Clear] in the [Edit] menu to make it a blank layer, and place it below the [Cloud] layer.

Create a gradient layer, brighten it to about 20%, and clip it to the [Cloud 2] layer.

Draw clouds on the [Cloud 02] layer with a cloud brush. You can draw deep clouds with a gradient applied.

Let's add a shadow to the clouds in the foreground [Cloud] layer. Create a 5% screentone and clip it to the [Cloud] layer to draw the shadow.

I was able to paint a sky that gives a sense of space.

9. Let's draw a sunset sky

Next, let's draw a sunset sky.

First, create a gradient, clip it to the [Cloud] layer, and lower the brightness.

Next, I'll darken the gradation of the mountains to increase the contrast with the sky and emphasize the brightness of the sunset sky.

 

 

Shadows fell on the mountains and clouds, creating a sunset sky.

Next, let's add highlights to the clouds, as if the setting sun was illuminating them.

First, create a blank solid white layer, clip it to the Cloud layer, and place it on top of the gradient. Use a brush to paint highlights on the bottom edges of the clouds.

This creates a brighter sunset sky than before. You can also erase the shadow gradation layer, but if you put the highlights on a separate layer, it's easier to see where the light is.

10. Cloudy skies

This time I created a new cloudy sky brush. Unlike the brush I distributed previously, this one has curved hatching, which makes it possible to draw softer clouds.

Now let's draw a pale cloudy sky.

First, create a new normal raster layer and use the brush to tap the clouds like a stamp, leaving white gaps. If you use light pressure in distant areas, the hatching will be smaller.

 

 

There was a thin cloudy sky.

Layering the gradient will result in a darker sky.

Next, let's draw a darker, cloudy sky.

You can draw dark clouds by drawing strokes in the background.

You can create a sense of distance by changing the density of the clouds in the background and foreground.

I was able to draw a darker, cloudy sky.

By layering the gradient here too, you can create a darker cloudy sky.

This cloudy sky can also be used as a base for painting a rainy sky.

11. Let's draw rain.

Now let's add some rain to the dark, cloudy sky we had before.

First, make the mountains a little darker.

Create a new raster layer and hold down [Alt] and drag the mountain's gradient layer mask onto the raster layer. This will copy the gradient layer mask so that it does not extend beyond the mountains.

I will use the cloudy sky brush I used earlier to darken the shadows of the mountains. By making the mountains dark, it will be easier to see the rain.

Let's also darken the sky a bit. Use the Object tool to darken the drawing color of the [Blue Sky] layer.

This time I created two types of rain brushes.

First, a rain brush that falls vertically. This brush draws quiet rain without wind.

Create a new [Rain] layer on top of the sky and mountain layers, and draw rain on it. By stroking back and forth horizontally and then downwards, you can draw rain all over the surface.

I was able to draw rain falling quietly.

Next is a brush that makes it rain in the stroke direction. Use it to draw heavy rain with a diagonal wind.

First, place a parallel line ruler diagonally.

By snapping to the ruler and stroking the brush, you can make it rain diagonally.

I was able to draw heavy rain.

The previously distributed snowstorm brush can also be used in the same way.

12. Perspective Cloud Tool

As an added bonus, I've created a tool that automatically draws clouds according to perspective, so I'm distributing it.

If you specify the end point of where you want the clouds to be drawn, they will be drawn automatically. It's an application of the stream line tool. However, the quality isn't very high, so you can draw them more beautifully by drawing them yourself, but I recommend this when you're short on time. Please note that it's a bit slow to run.

There is also a cloudy sky version.

13. Try drawing a sunset sky.

Finally, let's actually draw a sunset sky.

I'll draw a sunset sky on this picture. It's the girl leaning against the fence I drew in the previous tip.

 

 

The layer structure is as follows.

From the top, the order is character, fence, power lines, mountain, and sky.

This time, I'll create a backlit composition with the light of the setting sun coming from behind the character.

Before drawing the sunset sky, I'll make some overall adjustments.

 

 

I used a hatching brush to draw the shadow of the setting sun on the mountain, then

Draw the light of the setting sun with a white gradation.

Highlights on fences and power lines,

Add a shadow to the entire character. Create a 40% density screentone on the character layer, clip it, and layer it on top.

Add highlights of the sunset light. Erase the screen tone of the highlights.

Now I'm ready to paint the sunset sky.

Create a solid white layer on top of the sky gradient layer, clip the gradient, and draw clouds. This time, try using a cloud brush with feathered edges.

Clouds have formed.

It's fine as is, but let's try adding highlights to the clouds.

Next, create a white gradient on the clouds and clip them. Make the direction of the sun brighter, then erase it to make it blank. You're now ready to draw highlights.

Draw highlights with the cloud brush. By drawing on a white gradation layer, the light becomes weaker as it moves away from the sun, creating a sense of distance.

The highlights have been drawn.

Next, let's add the rays of the setting sun spilling out through gaps in the clouds.

Prepare a white gradient that gets brighter towards the setting sun, and place a radial ruler in the direction of the setting sun. I created the gradient layer below the clouds, and placed the radial ruler at the red circle outside the canvas.

I was able to draw a beam of light spreading across the sky above the clouds.

Duplicate the light beam layer and place it on top of the cloud, power line, fence, and character layers, then draw light beams on each of them. This will allow light to pass through and create space between each object.

Create a thin white gradation so that light hits the entire surface.

Sprinkle white all over and it's done.

 

 

It's rare to see a sunset depicted using screen tones so lavishly in a normal scene in an actual manga, but it's common to depict a sunset sky on a grand scale in important scenes in manga. For example, it's often used in scenes where a decision is made in a story manga, or in confession scenes in a romance manga. This has become a standard technique, so be sure to remember how to draw it.

Conclusion

This time, I mainly introduced how to draw the sky using screen tones and brush materials.

Please try using it in your manga! However, in the case of purely monochrome manga, it is common to leave the sky blank and not draw anything. By deliberately leaving nothing drawn, it becomes easier for the reader to focus on the characters. Remember that you also have the option of "drawing nothing."