0. Introduction

This is a TIPS on how to draw skies using screen tones, which is the most standard and easiest method.

I will introduce a layer structure that is easy to modify and adjust, and brushes that allow you to draw skillfully, quickly, and intuitively.

This TIPS is for beginners, but it also contains some useful knowledge not yet explained in previous TIPS, so professionals may also find it helpful.

 

 

I will draw the sky in the blank space above the mountains in this illustration.

1. Preparing Layer Folders

I will prepare the layers for drawing the sky. Here, I will introduce recommended layer setup methods and combinations for drawing skies.

First, create a new layer folder.

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

I named the layer folder [1.Sky].

 

 

Next, after selecting the area where you want to draw the sky with the Auto Select tool, press [Mask Outside Selection] in the Selection Launcher to create a layer mask on the [1.Sky] folder.

Alternatively, you can right-click the [1.Sky] folder and select [Layer Mask] - [Mask Outside Selection].

Now, when you draw on a layer inside the [1.Sky] folder, anything drawn outside the blue area will not be displayed. You can draw freely without worrying about going outside the lines.

You can toggle the mask on/off by clicking the layer mask thumbnail while holding [Shift].

You can confirm that drawing exists in the masked (blue-hidden) areas.

You can toggle the mask display on/off by clicking the layer mask thumbnail while holding [Alt].

When creating a layer mask, the blue area is displayed, but when you start drawing, it becomes visually distracting, so hide it.

These can also be registered as shortcuts.

You can set them from the menu bar: [File] menu - [Shortcut Settings] - Setting Area [Main Menu] - [Layer] - [Layer Mask] - [Enable Mask] and [Display Mask Area].

Using shortcuts is faster than moving your pen to the Layer palette and clicking, and you don't have to move your pen away from where you're drawing, so I recommend registering shortcuts.

Now the layer folder for drawing the sky is ready.

2. Preparing a Gradient as the Base for the Blue Sky

Now, I will draw the sky in the [1.Sky] folder I just created.

First, I will create a gradient screen tone as the base for the sky using the [Gradient] tool's [Foreground to Transparent] setting.

After temporarily placing it, adjust the color. Select the gradient layer in the Layer palette, then use the [Object] tool to set the brightness (Value) of the foreground color in the [Color Slider] to about 0% to 80%.

[Color Circle] is also fine. In any case, change it from black to a bright gray.

The blue sky base is complete. I will name this gradient layer [BlueSky].

3. Preparing a Layer for Drawing White Clouds

Next, I will prepare a solid white fill layer for drawing clouds.

 

 

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

Right-click the Layer palette and click [New Layer] - "Fill Layer".

A [Fill Layer] completely filled with white has been created. Erase everything using [Edit] menu's [Clear] to make the [Fill Layer] blank. The entire surface will be displayed as a blue mask area.

The layer for drawing clouds is ready. I will name this layer [Cloud].

 

A common issue when drawing with white is that it can be difficult to tell what you've drawn where, due to the lack of difference between the white of the manuscript paper and the white you've drawn.

With a white [Fill Layer], you can distinguish what you've drawn where by toggling the display of the mask area.

 

 

Furthermore, with a [Fill Layer], there's no need to switch from the main drawing color. You can draw in white while the foreground color remains black. This allows you to draw faster by eliminating the hassle of switching colors.

When erasing, you can draw with the foreground color set to transparent.

Now the layer preparation is complete.

I have created an auto-action to create this blank fill layer, so I will distribute it as well. It is useful not only for clouds but also for creating character masks.

4. Introducing Special Cloud Brushes

This time, I have prepared two types of special basic cloud brushes.

First, a cloud brush with a sharp outline.

The density and size of the clouds change with pen pressure. Strokes that gradually decrease pressure from strong pressure can express clouds with a sense of distance. Using it by tapping like a stamp can express sparse clouds.

This brush is compatible with monochrome art styles that have few grayscales or screen tones.

The other is a cloud brush with a blurred outline.

This brush is compatible with art styles like illustrations that have many screen tones and grayscales.

 

 

This time, I will draw the sky using the sharp cloud brush.

5. Drawing White Clouds with a Brush

I will draw clouds on the [Cloud] layer prepared earlier.

You can draw clouds just by casually stroking with the cloud brush, without thinking too deeply.

By toggling the display of the mask area, you can draw while checking what kind of clouds you have drawn.

If you switch the foreground color to transparent, you can use the cloud brush like an eraser. It is recommended to draw by adjusting what you have drawn by carving it out with a transparent color.

6. Cloud Drawing Patterns

Even if you draw clouds casually, they will look somewhat realistic, but I will introduce common cloud arrangements in manga. What is explained here is not so much about how to draw clouds, but rather about ways to make manga easier to read.

One example is a scene where small clouds are dispersed throughout. Instead of scattering clouds entirely across the whole sky, leaving some empty space at the top makes it easier to view and creates a sense of unity as a blue sky within the manga.

Another example is filling the lower part of the sky with clouds. This method enhances the contrast between the foreground mountains, buildings, or characters and the sky boundary, making it easier to see.

You can also draw clouds in the upper sky.

Next is an example of clouds with a strong sense of perspective. They create a dynamic feel and suggest that something is about to begin. This is adopted in dynamic layouts where characters and backgrounds are integrated. Since it has an effect similar to speed lines, it is a flashy and noticeable arrangement. It is also convenient when you want to convey the flow of wind. Conversely, it is an arrangement to avoid in quiet backgrounds.

7. Let's Draw Cumulus Clouds

Next, let's try drawing cumulus clouds. First, roughly draw the clouds with a brush so they pile up large.

Adjust the shape of the cumulus clouds. Add small clouds to the edges of the cumulus clouds.

Add flowing clouds around the cumulus clouds.

Round the top of the cumulus clouds with a large pen, not a brush.

The cloud shape is complete. Next, I will make the blue sky a little darker.

Using the Object tool, change the brightness of the [BlueSky] layer's foreground color from 20% to 50%. This increases the contrast, making the cumulus clouds stand out more.

Next, I will add shadows to the cumulus clouds.

Right-click the Layer palette, click [New Layer] - [Screen Tone], and set the [Density] to [5%].

This will create a layer of 5% screen tone that fills the entire surface.

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

Select the screen tone layer in the Layer palette, then click the red arrow at the top left of the Layer palette. This will clip it so it doesn't extend beyond the layer below. The screen tone that was applied to the entire screen is now only applied within the cumulus clouds. The entire cumulus cloud is now shadowed.

Erase the shadows of the cumulus clouds with a transparent cloud brush to make it look like light is hitting them.

Cumulus clouds are drawn. By clipping the shadow screen tone, you can draw freely without worrying about going outside the lines.

8. Adding Depth by Layering Clouds

Sometimes, a single layer of clouds might feel insufficient. In such cases, try adding another layer of clouds.

First, duplicate the [Cloud] layer. Right-click and select [Duplicate Layer] to create [Cloud 2], then erase everything using [Edit] menu's [Clear] to make it a blank layer, and place it below the [Cloud] layer.

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

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

Since we're at it, let's add shadows to the clouds on the foreground [Cloud] layer as well. Create a 5% screen tone, clip it to the [Cloud] layer, and draw the shadows.

I was able to draw a sky with a sense of space.

9. Let's Draw a Sunset Sky

Next, let's try drawing a sunset sky.

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

Next, darken the mountain gradient to increase its contrast with the sky and emphasize the brightness of the sunset sky.

 

 

With shadows cast on the mountains and clouds, the sunset sky is complete.

Next, let's add highlights to the clouds, as if they are illuminated by the setting sun.

First, create a blank white fill layer, clip it to the [Cloud] layer, and place it on top of the gradient. Draw highlights with a brush so that light hits the lower edges of the clouds.

A brighter sunset sky is now complete than before. While deleting the shadow gradient layer is also an option, keeping highlights on a separate layer makes it easier to understand where light has been painted.

10. Cloudy Sky

This time, I have created a new cloudy sky brush. Unlike the previously distributed brushes, the hatching is now curved, allowing for a softer, more cloud-like depiction.

Now, let's try drawing a light cloudy sky.

First, create a new normal raster layer, and draw clouds by tapping with the brush like a stamp, leaving white gaps. The hatching becomes smaller when drawn with light pen pressure for distant areas.

 

 

A light cloudy sky is complete.

Layering gradients makes the sky even darker.

Next, let's try drawing a darker cloudy sky.

By stroking distant scenery, you can draw thick clouds.

By varying the cloud density between the distant and foreground sky, you can create a sense of depth.

A darker cloudy sky has been drawn.

Similarly, layering gradients can make this a darker cloudy sky.

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

11. Let's Draw Rain

Now, let's draw rain on the dark cloudy sky we just created.

First, darken the mountains slightly.

Create a new raster layer, then drag the mask from the mountain gradient layer to this new raster layer while holding [Alt]. This copies the gradient's layer mask, preventing it from extending beyond the mountains.

Darken the mountain shadows with the cloudy sky brush used earlier. Darkening the mountains makes the rain easier to see.

Let's also darken the sky a bit. Darken the foreground color of the [BlueSky] layer using the Object tool.

This time, I created two types of rain brushes.

First, a vertical rain brush. This brush is for drawing calm rain with no wind.

Create a new [Rain] layer above the sky and mountain layers, and draw rain on it. You can draw rain all over by stroking downwards while moving horizontally back and forth.

Quietly falling rain has been drawn.

Next is a brush that makes rain fall in the direction of the stroke. It is used when drawing heavy rain with diagonal wind.

First, set up a parallel ruler diagonally.

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

Heavy rain has been drawn.

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

12. Perspective Cloud Tool

As a bonus, I've created and am distributing a tool that automatically draws clouds along a perspective. If you specify the end point where you want to draw clouds, they will be drawn automatically. This is an application of the stream line tool. However, the quality is not very high, and you can draw them more beautifully yourself, but it is recommended when you don't have much time. Please note that it may run a bit slow.

There's also a cloudy sky version.

13. Let's Actually Draw a Sunset Sky

Finally, let's actually draw a sunset sky.

I will draw a sunset sky in this illustration. It's a girl leaning against a fence, drawn in a previous TIPS.

 

 

The layer structure is as follows:

From top to bottom: character, fence, power lines, mountains, sky.

This time, I will use a backlit composition where the light of the setting sun comes from behind the character.

Before drawing the sunset sky, I will make overall adjustments.

 

 

First, draw the shadows of the setting sun on the mountains with a hatching brush, then

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

Highlights on the fence and power lines,

Add shadows to the entire character. Create a 40% density screen tone on the character's layer, then clip and overlay it.

Add highlights for the setting sun's light. Erase the highlight screen tone.

The sunset sky is ready to be drawn.

Create a white fill layer above the sky gradient layer, clip the gradient to it, and start drawing clouds. This time, let's try using the blurred-edge cloud brush.

The clouds are complete.

This is fine as is, but let's add highlights to the clouds.

Next, create a white gradient on the clouds, clip it, and make the area in the direction of the sun bright, then erase it to make it blank. The highlights are ready to be drawn.

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

Highlights have been drawn.

Next, let's add sunbeams spilling from the gaps in the clouds.

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

Sunbeams spreading above the clouds have been drawn.

Duplicate the sunbeam layer, place it above each of the cloud, power line, fence, and character layers, and draw sunbeams on each. This allows light to pass between each object, creating space.

Create a subtle white gradient so that light falls evenly across the entire scene.

Scatter white over the entire image, and it's complete.

 

 

While it's rare to use screen tones so extensively to depict a sunset in a normal scene in manga, it's a common practice to grandly draw sunset skies in important scenes. For example, it's often used in story manga for scenes where a character makes a resolve, or in romance manga for confession scenes. Since it's a staple technique, remember this drawing method.

Conclusion

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

Please try to incorporate these into your manga! However, in the case of pure monochrome manga, the sky is often left blank, with nothing drawn. By intentionally drawing nothing, readers can focus more easily on the characters. Remember that "not drawing anything" is also an option.