Introduction
Hello everyone! Thanks for being here once again (⌒‿⌒). This time, I'm sharing the process I follow to design an alphabet. It's ideal for decorating postcards, cards, illustrations, and much more without relying on external fonts, plus I'll show some examples of text stylization. Without further ado...
Let's get started!! (o･ω･o)
1. Alphabet Design
On the internet, we can find an endless number of downloadable fonts with different designs that can give personality to our work. However, there are times when we don't find what we're looking for, or we simply want the font we use to have our own personal touch. In these cases, it's best to create our own typographic designs. Let's see what tools we can use to facilitate their creation.
✦ Canvas and Grid
Canvas: Simply create a blank canvas with dimensions of 2500 x 2000 px and a resolution of 300 dpi.
DPI (dots per inch) refers to the amount of information the canvas has; the more information it has, the sharper the print will be.
- GRID -
To achieve greater precision when aligning and arranging elements, we can activate the grid. To activate it, go to: View > Grid.
To modify the settings, we need to go to the same path, but now choose the option: Ruler/Grid settings. Here, we check the «Center» option (this originates the squares from the center of the canvas) and in Grid settings, we set 1.00 for interval and 5 for subdivisions.
With this, we have a 1 cm x 1 cm grid for each large square.
✦ Template
To facilitate designing the alphabet, I will create a template to use as a base, a template that will contain each of the letters. These letters should be in a neutral typeface; to do this, I will use the text tool.
The «Text» tool can be found in the tool palette (icon with the letter «A») or by using the keyboard shortcut «T». Once the tool is active, just click anywhere on the canvas to start typing. Additionally, the text box can be moved by clicking on its border, rotated using the control point at the top, and finally, using the box's handles, we can change the text size.
Shortcut: With SHIFT, the proportion is maintained.
If you want to know each of the text tool's configurations, I invite you to visit the following tutorial where I address the topic:
In the «Tool Property» window, you will find all the configurations.
The next step is to start placing each of the letters of the alphabet; for this, I follow these guidelines:
➀ All letters must have the same size.
➁ A considerable space must be maintained between each one.
➂ Align them to maintain order and cleanliness.
Align and Distribute: If we find it difficult to align letters using only the grid, we can always resort to the «Align and Distribute» tool. Using it is very simple; if we have the elements we want to align on different layers, what we need to do is select the layers to align, then go to the tool window and set the «Base position for alignment» to «Guide», and finally, use the alignment options in the direction we need.
This is a very useful tool for precision work; if you want to know all about its use, I invite you to read this official tutorial:
The next step is to group all the letters we have on individual layers into a single one. To do this, use the «Merge with layer below» function or select all layers to group and hold down one of them (for the tablet version; for computers, it's a right-click); a floating menu will appear where you must choose the «Combine selected layers» option.
Finally, you need to lower the opacity of the combined layer as much as you like.
✦ Sketch
The language of typography will help to correctly convey the desired messages; this is why it's important to think about what you want to convey, in order to express the message with the right font. When customizing our typography, we must consider what kind of personality we want the characters to transmit.
- LANGUAGE OF SHAPES -
Understanding a bit about the language of shapes helps to convey more precise messages; let's see. There are three basic shapes we should keep in mind:
➀ The Circle: Characters containing circles usually convey feelings of kindness, harmlessness, trustworthiness, and more positive emotions.
➁ Squares: Squares are characteristic of elements that transmit strength, confidence, support, and feelings of stability.
➂ Triangles: Triangles, on the other hand, convey danger, mischief, instability, aggression.
Once we know the fundamentals, we must apply them by transforming basic letters with simple shapes into ones with more complex shapes. We can create letters with sharp forms like those in wild-style graffiti, plump ones like clouds, with flourishes, or with a simple base complemented by extra elements such as butterflies, flowers, stars, among others; and even a combination of several elements.
On a layer above, I painted the sketch of each letter with a pencil brush. When designing an alphabet, it's advisable to maintain a consistent theme; by this, I mean keeping the same aesthetic (whether in terms of shape or color) for all characters.
✦ Line art - Vectors
The next step will be to start cleaning up the sketch lines. To do this, the first thing is:
➀ Deactivate the template layer.
➁ Lower the opacity of the sketch layer.
➂ Organize everything by folders and layers. If you want more order, you can create a folder for each letter, although it seems a bit unnecessary to me.
- VECTOR LAYERS -
I will start by positioning myself in the folder and, inside it, I will create a vector layer. To create a vector layer, you need to click on the second layer icon in the «Layer» window.
Now, with the «Curve» and «Line» tools, I will begin outlining the shape. I like these tools because they allow me to create curves and straight lines in a couple of clicks. The line and curve tools are found within the figure subtools.
To use the curve tool, you need to set the origin point, then drag without releasing to the next position and release. Doing so will show the guide line to create the curve; choose the ideal angle, and you're done.
I advise setting «Softness» to «Weak» to get crisp strokes.
The advantage of using vector layers is their easy line handling. With the «Correct line» subtool, we can modify the lines on vector layers. To access these settings, go to the icon with an arrow pointing to a node in the tool palette.
Among all the subtools it contains, I think the most important ones are:
1. Control Point: When selecting this tool, we can see a series of options in the «Tool Property» window to modify control points. And among them, the most significant are: Move, add, and delete control points.
2. Modify line width: Increases and decreases the thickness of the line. Each of these settings has a percentage bar with which we can measure the amount of change in the lines.
- Eraser: With the vector eraser, we have the advantage of not needing to be so precise when drawing lines; that is, we can leave lines longer than the edge and then quickly erase them, allowing us to erase even the smallest line for a clean job. In the «Tool Properties» window of the vector eraser, you will find three functions:
① Standard Eraser: This function makes the vector eraser act like a normal eraser.
② Erase up to intersection: This, on the other hand, erases the line it touches up to the intersection with another line. This is the most interesting function of the three.
③ Erase whole line: With this function, we can erase an entire line, even if there are other lines in between.
If you want to know a bit more about the wonders of vector layers, I invite you to visit this tutorial I made some time ago:
I decided to outline each of them on the same layer. Once everything is clean, we need to move on to the next phase.
✦ Neon Colors
For the typography color, I will use saturated colors, and that's what I'll explain next. Getting neon colors is simple; the first step is to choose hues located in the upper right quadrant. Colors in this area are highly saturated, making them ideal.
For shadows, we need to move diagonally as far away from gray as possible, but it doesn't always have to be from the same tone; we can also move to other adjacent tones.
For highlights, we need to move to the upper left quadrant, but without touching pure white.
On the other hand, to know how to combine different types of tones, we can resort to color harmonies. There are different schemes, but in this case, I used an analogous scheme.
- ANALOGOUS -
Analogous harmony is formed by the implementation of colors that are close to each other on the color wheel. Due to their proximity, they combine well with each other. Like blue, violet, and pink, which are sequentially close to each other on the color wheel.
✦ Base Color
To easily apply the base color, I will use the paint bucket. To do this, you need to follow these steps:
➀ Create a new layer below the vector layer.
➁ Set the vector layer as a reference by activating the lighthouse icon found in the functions of the «Layer» window.
➂ Select the «Fill» tool and go to the «Tool Property» window.
➃ In the settings, you must activate the «Multiple referencing» option and activate the «Reference» (1) icon.
➄ If we activate the «Fill up to vector line» (2) option, the color will be applied up to the center of the vector line, which is good because it reduces the white spaces that may be left when painting with the fill tool.
➅ Finally, «Close gap» (3) fills even if there are small openings in the vector line.
➆ Now, position yourself on the new layer, select the color, and start painting with a click.
✦ Gradient
A simple method for applying gradients in Clip Studio Paint is to use the gradient tool. This tool is found in the «Tools» window (1).
In the «Tool Property» window, we find the gradient settings. To change the color, we must pay attention to the nodes located below the preview.
With these nodes, we can:
1. Adjust the amount of each color using the arrows located in the lower area.
2. Create new nodes along the entire bar by clicking anywhere along the bottom line (where the mobility arrows are located).
3. Delete nodes. To delete a section from the dropdown, you need to expand the gradient menu (“+” symbol) and choose the option: Advanced settings > Select node > Delete.
To change the gradient colors, you need to:
➀ First, we must choose the color from the color wheel.
➁ Then, you need to click on the nodes as shown in the following GIF. Do this for each one.
In the «Sub Tool» window, we find a series of predetermined gradients. But, to create your own, you must do the following:
➀ You must choose a predetermined gradient; in my case, I chose «Blue Sky».
➁ Then, you need to click on the «Duplicate sub tool» icon in the lower part of the window or in the floating menu when holding down the gradient to duplicate.
We can apply the gradient at any angle. In my case, to apply the gradient, I created a new layer above the base color, which I adjusted with the «Clip to Layer Below» option (first icon of the layer functions, symbol of two overlapping squares). With the «Lasso» selection tool, select a single letter and apply the gradient; otherwise, the gradient would be applied to the entire layer.
✦ Shadow/3D
To create a shadow or 3D effect, you need to do the following:
➀ Duplicate the folder containing all the layers corresponding to the letters; to do this, hold it down and choose the «Duplicate Layer» option from the pop-up menu.
➁ Now, select the duplicated folder and open the pop-up menu once more, but this time, choose the «Combine Selected Layers» option.
➂ We will select the created layer and go to the following path: Edit > Tonal Correction > Hue/Saturation/Luminosity.
➃ When the «Hue/Saturation/Luminosity» window opens, go to the luminosity bar and lower it completely (-100). This will turn the letters black.
➄ Now, place this layer below the folder or below the layers created within the folder.
➅ With the transform tool, move the layer slightly in the desired direction.
The transform tool can be found in the shortcut in the top menu for the tablet version, as in my case, or at the following path: Edit > Transform. Its keyboard shortcut is «CTRL plus T».
➆ Finally, you need to connect the vertex of the letter with that of its shadow and fill in any empty spaces.
✦ Textures
Now for the interesting part: to add textures, we can use resources downloaded from the Clip Studio ASSETS library. There are many resources we can use to decorate characters, such as stars, flowers, patterns, among others.
In my case, I used the following materials:
- Color Change: To change the color of shadows and/or lines, you need to mark the layer containing the element to be modified with the «Lock transparent pixels» function found in the functions panel of the «Layer» window. Then, select the letter with the «Selection» tool, and finally, fill it with the default fill option that comes with the floating selection menu (paint bucket icon).
On a layer above the gradient, you need to start implementing the design of the letters. In my case, I used the «Droplets» airbrush to simulate smudges and reflections, drew some scattered lines over other letters, also played with the opacity of the layers, and added glows.
Remember to activate «Clip to Layer Below» so you don't go outside the border.
To decorate the 3D border a bit, I decided to use a diagonal pattern brush, and finally, with the star brush, I placed some over the letters.
Within the world of design, there are many variations we can use, such as: textures, chromatic aberrations, images, dot patterns, among others. If you want to know about some modifications you can make to a typeface, I invite you to visit these tutorials I made previously:
Here are some examples:
✦ Border
For the next design step, I will apply several levels of border, each with a different color.
To apply a colored border to the letters, you need to do the following:
➀ First of all, create a copy of the folder where all the corresponding letter layers are stored, this in order to keep a backup copy.
For the copy, remember: Click on the layer and in the emergent menu choose «Duplicate layer».
➁ Selecting the duplicated folder, in the floating menu we will use the option «Combine selected layers».
Although we can apply a border directly to a folder and consequently to the elements within it, I prefer to create a copy of a single layer.
➂ We will go to the «Layer Property» palette, where we will click on the circle-shaped icon. By default, a white border will appear. By moving the «Border thickness» slider, we change its width.
In «Border color», we click to change the color from the pop-up color window. If we already have a color selected, we just need to click on the paint bucket icon located next to the color strip.
Once the first border is created, for the second, we must create a new layer above it and then merge this new layer with the first border layer using the «Combine with layer below» option. With this, we ensure that the border function is available again without losing the previous border. Now, all that remains is to choose the thickness and color of this second border level.
We can repeat this for as many levels as we want.
2. Save
Two methods come to mind for storing the designed characters so that they can be used in other projects. Let's see what they are:
✦ Image Material
Image materials are an easily accessible file stored in the materials folder. Converting an illustration into an image material is very simple; let's see how:
➀ The first and most important thing is that for best results, the letter should not have a background.
➁ Now, select the letter with the «Selection» tool. Then, go to: Edit > Register Material > Image.
➂ A window will appear where we will enter the material's name, its location within the program, and most importantly, we must check the «After enlarging and reducing» box. Once everything is ready, click OK.
Now it's just a matter of dragging the created material from the folder where we saved it. Additionally, with the nodes, you can move it by clicking on the edge of the line, rotate it using the control point at the top, and finally, using the box handles, we can change its size. And lastly, in the «Tool Property» layer, you'll find more adjustment options such as: rotate, skew, maintain aspect ratio, etc.
You will easily recognize an image material by the symbol presented on the layer.
To keep materials folders better organized, we can create a specific one for the alphabet; this is simple:
➀ In the materials window, in the bottom right area of the folder list, you will find the «Create new folder» icon.
➁ Choose the name for the new folder.
➂ Select and drag the alphabet images into the folder and release.
✦ Multi-brush
Multi-brushes are those that are made up of images. Let's see how to do it:
➀ As explained before, you need to select the letter with the «Selection» tool.
➁ Now we will go to: Edit > Register Material > Image.
➂ This time, the option we must check is «Use as brush tip shape».
➃ In the «Decoration» brushes that are incorporated by default in the program. We choose the «Button» brush and duplicate it by right-clicking on it. A menu will appear where we will check the option: «Duplicate sub tool».
➄ A window will appear where the name, icon, and other options can be modified, but in this case, only the name is necessary.
➅ Once the new brush is created, we will go to the wrench-shaped icon (1) located in the lower right part of the «Tool Properties» window. A new window will open where we must go to: «Brush tip» (2). Once there, you must press the arrow of the image shown at the top (3).
The browser will open; here, we choose the material we registered earlier, and when finished, we click OK and close the previous window. Done.
Created materials can be found more quickly by selecting the «Created material» tag.
To add more images, click on the leaf icon located in the bottom right; once again, the browser will open where we will add the material.
To change the position of one image relative to another, just hold it down and drag it to its new order.
The brush will contain the alphabet characters, so we can use it at any time and share it between other devices linked to our account. The letters will appear continuously across the canvas when applying the brush; to separate them, we can use the selection tool and/or move them to a new layer.
Within the «Sub Tool Details», in the «Stroke» section, we can modulate the separation interval between one image and the next.
We already have our alphabet; now it's just a matter of arranging it with complementary elements.
Finally, if you want to know some tips on how to arrange elements on cards, postcards, posters, among others, I invite you to check out the Tips presented throughout this and the following:
✦ Installable Font
Unfortunately, we cannot create an installable file for a font as colorful and detailed as the previous one. This is because the fonts used with the different text tools in each program are actually vectors. This is why we can only create designs with defined color blocks.
For this example, I will revisit the previous alphabet, but I will remove the colorful details, leaving only the black border, the 3D projection, and the white interior.
To create an installable file for our own typeface, you need to do the following:
➀ Once we have our typeface design on a layer without a background, we will go to a page that helps us digitize our creation in a very simple way; a recommendation would be the Calligraphr website.
➁ Once on the page, we must follow the steps indicated by the platform, which consist of: downloading the template, filling it in, and re-uploading it once completed.
➂ The template will look like the following. We will open it within a new project in CLIP STUDIO PAINT. In it, we will copy and paste character by character into the corresponding cell as indicated by the cell itself.
To copy and paste an element, whether a layer or a folder, to another file, you can do it from: Edit > Copy/Paste; or with the keyboard shortcuts «CTRL plus C» (copy) and «CTRL plus V» (paste).
➃ Once the template is completed, save it to the device using the option: File > Flatten and Save to Device Storage > PNG.
➄ Back on the page, upload the template and generate the TTF/OTF file of our typeface and download it.
Appropriate fonts are composed of the alphabet, its variants, punctuation marks, and special symbols. In this case, the font created in this example is basic, including only the alphabet.
Back in CLIP STUDIO PAINT, go to the «Text» tool and in the «Tool Properties», go to: Font > Add Font. Clicking this will open the file search window where we will choose the TTF/OTF package containing our typeface, and click OK.
A message will appear allowing us to save it to the cloud; if it seems convenient, accept it; otherwise, just close it. Done, now we have a font of our own creation.
This font can also be installed in other programs.
Once added, it will appear in the «Font» dropdown menu like any installed typeface. In the «Tool Property» window, we can play with text settings such as: Size, style, justification, color, border, angle, rotation, tilt, perspective, or if it's hollow, among others.
3. Stylize Text
In this last section, I will show some ways to edit fonts to add more style.
✦ Bevelled
For this first example, I will explain the bevel effect.
For the first step, we will create two types of fonts with the «Text» tool: one with a thick stroke and another with the thinnest possible stroke.
Now we need to convert the text layer containing the thinner letter into a vector layer. To do this, right-click on the layer (or long-press the layer if you are working on a tablet) and choose the «Convert Layer (H)» option that appears in the floating menu. Clicking this option will display a window where you can choose to convert the layer to a vector type.
Type (K): Vector layer.
When we change the layer type to vector, the settings option is enabled. Clicking on it will open a new window where we can make several modifications, but the most important one is «Max line width.» This setting modulates the line thickness.
I recommend using 5 px.
If the line is still too thick, I recommend using the «Line Reduction» tools available in vector layers.
I explained this tool during the creation of the alphabet. It's just a matter of choosing the option and painting the line with the brush as many times as we want to reduce the width.
Now, you need to select letter by letter and use the selection and transform tools to snap them to the center of the wide letters.
Hollow Text: For the next step, we need to convert the thick text into a hollow one. We will achieve this by doing the following.
➀ Select the text tool.
➁ Now, select the layer (text layer) and go to the text tool properties. There, in the «Strength» section; if we unfold the menu, we will find the «Hollow with outline» option. This option allows us to choose between two styles: Thin and Bold. In my case, I chose bold. Done, we now have a hollow typeface.
If this option is not available in the window, we can enable it from the wrench icon located in the bottom right of the «Tool Property» window. A window will open where we will go to «Style», and once there, we will click on the «Hollow with outline» checkbox.
We will continue by lowering the opacity of the layers created so far. Then, we will create a new vector layer above and begin outlining the contours with the shape tools. Once we have the structure, we must join the vertices of the hollow letter with those of the thin letter; this will give it the bevel effect (I explained the use of the shape tool previously).
Tip: If we use the SHIFT key, we can achieve perfect straight lines. If you are working on a tablet, you will find the option on the side keyboard.
The last step is to apply the color with the paint bucket, as explained in the «Base Color» section in section two of this tutorial. Finally, all that remains is to remove the line.
✦ Perspective
Text in perspective has many applications; let's see some:
➀ Convert the text layer into a rasterized one.
Rasterized layers are used because text layers cannot be edited or drawn on.
➁ Now, to place text in perspective, you need to select the layer or letter by letter, as in this case.
➂ In the following path, you will find the transformation options: Edit > Transform > Free Transform, Perspective, Distort, or Skew. You can also access the standard transform tool from the icon in the top bar if you are using the tablet version.
Note: Once the transform option is active, you can quickly change from one transformation type to another from the «Tool Property» window in the «Mode» section.
➃ You need to move the nodes of the box in the direction of the desired perspective.
There are different transformation tools that allow us to position text at multiple angles; it's just a matter of experimenting.
To create the 3D effect, you need to follow the same steps explained in the «Shadow/3D» section, but in this case, you will have to move the perspective letter by letter according to what corresponds.
Now, with the selection tool and the «Lock transparent pixels» option, we can change the shadow color. Finally, with the tool: Figure > Line, we join the vertices between the letter and the shadow and fill the empty space. With this, we finish the 3D effect.
To give it an extra touch, we can lock the «Transparent pixels» of the shadow layer and carefully, with the selection tool: Polyline, select the areas where the shadows of the 3D shape are presented and apply a contrasting color.
● Additionally: To add a bit more depth, we can use the selection tool and gradients on the curved areas of the letters to mark the volume transition.
By using different transformation options and playing with perspective points, we can achieve interesting results.
✦ Border and Depth
To add a border and depth to the front view of the text, you need to do the following. I will use the previous 3D text:
➀ Select the initial text layer.
➁ Now go to the «Layer Properties» palette, where you will click on the circle-shaped icon. By default, a border will appear.
➂ After applying the border, you need to go back to the shadow layer and fill in the empty spaces remaining at the edges, resulting from the border width.
➃ Finally, the most important step. First, we will select the main letter layer, the one selected to apply the border. Once done, activate the «CTRL» key on the keyboard and then click on the thumbnail of the selected layer.
➄ A selection line will appear on the border of the letters. After the selection border appears, deactivate the key.
➅ Now, create a layer above and start marking the internal shadows of the letter. Done.
- RETRO -
Another depth effect is to stack several layers of different colors one after another, in a retro style.
✦ Floating Texture
Creating letters with a fill but no background is very simple; let's see how:
➀ We will create the text we want to fill.
➁ We will activate the «CTRL» key and click on the layer thumbnail.
➂ After the selection border appears, deactivate the key.
➃ Now, on a new layer above, we will paint with a texture brush or shape that we like. Done. Easy, right?
✦ Halftone
Let's see how to apply a halftone:
➀ We will activate the «CTRL» key and click on the layer thumbnail. After the selection border appears, deactivate the key.
➁ We will go to the «Gradient» tool and choose the preset called «Manga Gradient».
➂ We will apply it in the desired direction. At this point, there is no need to worry about creating a new layer; it will be created automatically.
Note: With the «Move Object» tool found in the tools window, we can move the gradient even after it has been applied.
➃ In the «Tool Property» window, in the «Effect» section, you will find the «Screen tone» option. When activated, the gradient will transform into a screen tone.
Within the settings that appear, we can choose the halftone thickness, shape, color, among others. Done.
There are many variations we can make with halftones, for example:
- SHADOW -
We can create a copy of the shadow layer and apply a screen tone to it. We can also add this effect to the foreground line.
- BLUR -
For this second example, we will use blur filters. There is a wide variety of them, so the first thing I recommend is to explore each one along with its qualities. Filters are found in the following path: Filter > Effect > Blur.
Now, since I don't want the blur to be applied to all letters, what I will do is select an area. I could do it with the selection tool, but this would only leave a hard edge on the blur, so, to achieve a soft blur, you need to do the following:
➀ Convert the layer to raster.
➁ On a new layer above the letters, paint the desired area with the «Soft Airbrush».
➂ Activate the «CTRL» key and click on the layer thumbnail. After the selection border appears, deactivate the key.
➃ Now, delete the painted layer and re-select the letter layer.
➄ Then, apply the filter; in my case, I will use «Rotation Blur».
➅ Deselect the selected area.
➆ Finally, apply the screen tone effect. Done.
Farewell
I must say that creating this alphabet was fun; I hope you also enjoy designing your own alphabets. Thank you for making it this far! It would be a great help if you gave me a like. See you next time! (≧∇≦)/
Bye bye.
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