INTRO

Hey, welcome back!

In this article I'm going to explain how to make a dramatic Anime-style backlight scene, with simple and fun steps.

Make sure to read until the end for more cool tricks to add to your drawing :D

Video

Wanna watch the full step-by-step process? Feel free to check the video below!

Shadow

Before we start with this step, gather all your object’s layers, and put them in one folder.

Add a new layer above, and clip it to the folder.

Set the layer's blending mode to “Multiply”

Since the layer is clipped, we're going to use the bucket tool.

Make sure the color you choose isn't unsaturated, or too saturated.

Something on the lighter side would be okay since multiply darkens the colors already.

Lower the opacity a bit, to avoid making the shadows too intense

Erase the shadow at the edges of the object, because this is going to be where the light hits.

Light can pass through thinner objects like fabric and hair.

In this case, a bit of the arm’s silhouette will be shown

Light

Now that we're done with the shadows, let's get to fun step

✨Lighting✨

Add a new layer above all your layers, and set it to “Add”

If you're using Clip Studio Paint, I recommend using “Add (Glow)” for nicer colors.

For this scene, the light is going to hit from the back of the character, and since the character is an opaque object, you will only be able to see it at the edges, where we erased the shadow.

Using an airbrush, gently spray around the edges.

The color I chose is kinda close to the shadow’s color, but a bit more saturated to fit the scene.

Since the lighting is an afternoon/sunset lighting, orange shades would fit the most

Adding "Overlay"

Leaving the lighting and shading like this would make it look a bit bland.

This is why I add an “Overlay” layer.

Add a layer on top and set it to “overlay” and choose a color that suits the atmosphere and lightly spray on the areas between light and shadow. For this scene I'm using a red-orange shade.

This is going to make the colors “POP” and the lighting will be more vibrant.

 

 

TIP

Just like fabric, thinner areas of the skin can let a little light pass through, which makes a red glow at the area on the side facing away from the light source due to the color of blood inside.

Take the ear as an example.

To do this, using a red color draw on the inner part of the ear in the overlay layer. After that, in the “lighting” layer, gently spray on that area and the area in between.

Note: this won't be applied to the areas facing the light.

Polishing

This is an optional step, but trust me, it's going to make your illustration 10× better!

Extra shadow and light

Add an extra shadow layer with the same blending mode we used, but this time we're gonna do it using a hard brush.

Add an extra shadow for areas like the hair, the clothes and a bit on the skin.

Add another lighting layer, or using the same lighting layer if you're sure you don't wanna erase or edit later.

Using a hard brush draw on the edges of the object, for more clarified lighting.

Add a bit of bokeh light using a circle brush, but don't overdo it when it's not necessary.

Extra details

For a little bit of imperfection, add a layer on top.

Leave the blending mode to “Normal” and using the eyedropper tool, pick a color from the object (in this case, the hair) and draw over it.

I added a bit of flowing hair strands with different colors.

Correction Layers

There are many tools that can help you adjust the contrast and saturation easily, and the “Tone Curve” correction layer is one of them.

You can add at by going to Layer, New correction layer, Tone curve.

The top right part refers to the lightest part, and the bottom left refers to the darkest part of the canvas.

Play around with it until you find what you like.

You can also edit the curve of the main colors (red, blue, green) individually.

Don't be scared of trying something unusual and have fun with it!

There are more useful correction layers which you can use depending on what you need.

BONUS

Now for an extra finishing touch!

Select “merge visible to new layer” or export the image and import it for this step.

Go to Filter, Effect, Chromatic Aberration.

Place the center point on the most important part in the image (which in this case, the face)

Go to Effect again to add noise.

And finally, add a little bit of blur.

This trick is going to make your drawing look like a screenshot captured from Anime.

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Another way to add a nice finishing touch is by using “Auto Actions” which is a nice feature in Clip Studio Paint.

The default ones don't really have those settings but you can find a lot of cool materials on Assets.

The one I personally loved using was OLD TV-style Effects Set.

It gives off old TV feel.

CONCLUSION

Thank you for reading my article :D

I hope you had fun learning these tips and tricks for lighting!