Introduction!
In this tutorial I wanted to show you how to create a Cyberpunk-style Cover Illustration in Clip Studio Paint, from perspective ruler setup and sketching, to color, effects, and finishing touches. You’ll learn a step-by-step process of creating a Cover Illustration for a Novel I’m currently working on.
Hello I’m sunnysora! While writing, I got an idea for a Cover Illustration and decided to use this post and share my process with you (●'◡'●)
I have created several Covers for my previous stories, but this will be my first time creating one with this vibe.
The Pen I used in this tutorial ↓↓↓
What you’ll learn in the following tutorial!
‣ How to set up perspective rulers in Clip Studio Paint
‣ Using 3D materials for a background composition
‣ Step-by-step Cover Illustration workflow
‣ Applying lighting and layer correction effects
↬ What is "Cyberpunk" ?
Cyberpunk visuals blend high-tech and urban decay, with bold contrasts: neon lights glowing over grimy streets, and towering skyscrapers casting shadows over crowded slums.
Cyberpunk cities are full of eye-catching compositions, with streets and rails creating bold leading lines, leading attention from one element to another using straight lines.
Skyscrapers and massive buildings reaching high into the sky, creating a sharp vertical scale to enhace the dominace of certain elements.
And a layered depth created by layering/ stacking different elements to create complex enviroments.
↬ Understanding Perspectivce
Why Perspective Is Essential for Cyberpunk-Themed Illustrations
The Cyberpunk genre is about systems, not chaos. While it might seem chaotic at first, it’s actually a structured depth, everything has its specific place and not as random as we might think!
Covers must Grab Attention in Seconds
A strong perspective creates a clear sense of depth, and keeps the image readable even in a smaller scale .
With Cyberpunk themed illustrations, a good perspective can help keep the many details organized!
1-Point-Perspective
The One-point perspective is used when viewing a scene head-on, with all depth lines gathering at a single vanishing point on the horizon.
This technique creates a stable and centered composition, ideal for scenes that naturally direct the viewer’s attention forward.
▸Frequently applied to hallways, roads, tunnels, or standoffs, directing attention to a specific character or object.
▸ It is ideal for creating a strong center point whithout unnecessary visual clutter.
2-Point-Perspective
A Two-point Perspective is used when viewing an object from a corner angle.
The lines gather toward two vanishing points positioned on opposite sides.
▸It enhances cityscapes, streets, buildings, or interiors.
▸ It introduces depth and scale without overwhelming the viewer.
3-Point-Perspective
A Three-point Perspective is used when viewing a scene from extreme high or low angles, by adding a third vanishing point above or below the horizon.
Vertical lines come together, enhancing the sense of the scale and creating dramatic impact.
▸Frequently used for dramatic scenes featuring towering skyscrapers, intimidating characters, or striking environments.
▸It can convey overwhelming grandness, danger, or awe.
Every Illustration tells a story.
Cyberpunk can also blend different genres! For example, elements of romance, horror, mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, or action. This versatility makes it a good choice to introduce our worlds with more then just words!
Creating the Cover Illustration
Let’s start creating the cover now! \^o^/
For covers, composition comes first! Make sure to leave enough space so you can easily add your title or logo later on!
I’ll walk you through each step in detail, highlighting the various Effects, Materials, Blending Modes, and other useful features that can be used to create a Cover Illustration for your Stories!
↬ Preparing (Sketch, 3D Composition, Perspective Ruler)
My Canvas is 940px by 1440px (my preference)
Step 1) I start by adding a basic 1-Point-Perspective grid from the Clip Studio Assets store, just to have a simple guide for my sketch.
Step 2) Just super roughly sketch out the outline on a seperate layer.
Step 3) Lower the opacity of your rough sketch, then on a new layer add a slightly more detailed sketch, and the just merge the two.
Make sure you already follow the direction of the perspective guides so it’s easier to do your Lineart later on!
Step 4) Use 3D objects or building materials to block out streets and towers. There are many different materials to help you plan your structure if you need help with that. They are super easy to use, and for the one I used here, you can even separate the 3D buildings and adjust them however you like!
Find More on the CLIP STUIO ASSETS Store
CSP Perspective Ruler
Clip Studio Paint’s Perspective Rulers make it easy to draw perfectly aligned perspective lines automatically.
Any brush or pen snaps to the ruler, meaning everything you draw follows the direction of the ‘guide lines’, so you can create buildings os streets, without having to guess and spend hours trying to draw perfectly straight lines on your own.
Go to Layer → Ruler/Frame → Create Perspective Ruler
Step 5) So next I set up my Perspective Ruler. You can move and adjust the Horizon and Guide lines, to fit to your sketch.
Through Layer Property you can for example also add or delete Guides. I added a few more Guide lines.
— Filled Circle : Moves all the Guide Lines together
— Empty Circle : Moves only one single Guide Line
— <|> Symbol : Disables the horizontal/ vertical Guides, meaning your pen won’t follow the Guides direction
— Diamond Symbol : Disables the Guides, meaning your pen won’t follow the Guides direction
I like doing my Lineart on Vector Layers so I converted it to a Vector layer.
Go to Layer → Convert Layer → Type : Vector layer
When all the Guides are enabled vs. disabled ↓↓↓
↬ Start Drawing (Lineart, Characters, Colors)
Before starting, make sure your ‘Snap to Ruler’ symbols are enabled and make sure you click ‘Enable Snapping‘ on your pen.
Step 6) Start adding yor Lineart, I left some empty spaces for Materials later.
Step 7) This is optional, but since I’m making a Cover Art, I also created a rough sketch of my characters!
I tried to follow the perspective by making the characters fit naturally, with the upper body appearing smaller as it moves toward the background and the vanishing point, while the legs in the foreground are drawn a bit wider.
You can use 3D Models too if you need help with drawing characters and click on your 3D Model → Wrench Icon(Display object list) → Manga Perspective to help with the body proportions.
Step 8) Add a dark background color, then use the standard Airbrush Pen to apply a lighter color in the middle.
Step 9) I added a Gradient Map Layer with the same colors and set it to “Overlay.” Make sure the Main Color is the darker shade and the Sub Color is the lighter one. Since the lower half is the ‘Foreground,’ the darker color adds more depth to the ‘Background.’
Step 10) More color \^o^/
Just fill in your drawing with different shades of your main color. I’ve placed them on separate layers so I can add different effects to each section later.
Step 11) Since I have my colors on seperate layers I can now use Gradient Maps on the sections I want for a quick and easy contrast!
You can easily adjust and change the colors on the different gradients!
↬ Details (Effects, Materials)
Step 12) Add a Glitch Effect to the cyan-colored sections, set the blending mode to “Hard light,” and lower the opacity to 65%.
Step 13) Cyberpunk cities often feature small, square windows, so with this brush from the Clip Studio Assets store, I can add them in just one stroke!
Step 14) I add more windows using a different brush!
Step 15) Using this pretty Neon Water Brush on the floor, start by adding black color towards the vanishing point. And on a separate layer, apply lighter cyan colors, set the layer to “Glow Dodge,” and lower the opacity to 85%.
Step 16) I made some simple Cyberpunk-inspired Materials! Just drag them onto the canvas and place them in the empty spaces!
There are so many more materials you can use and add to your Illustrations!
↓↓↓
Side-note: I put everything from the earlier steps into a Folder (Folder 1).
Step 17) To enhance the glitch effect, I copy the layer and drag it above the Main Folder so it is on top of the Lineart layer. Then, I add a Motion blur Filter and set the blending mode to “Screen.”
Step 18) More Glitch Effects! I use the same material but this time on the pink-colored sections, set the blending mode to “Vivid light” and lower the opacity to 50%.
Step 19) Duplicate that layer now drag it above the Main Folder again and set the blending mode to “Add (Glow)”.
I added a black layer underneath to make the Glitch effect layer colors pop even more! (I erased the upper sections where the neon signs are because they already have separate layers with a glowing effect in their folders.)
Step 20) Add a bluish colored tone on a new layer and set the blending mode to “Lighten” and lower the opacity to 45%.
Step 21) From the set from before I add a grey satic effect layer on top and set the blending mode to “Linear burn” and lower the opacity to 45%.
↬ Different Color Schemes
If you feel like switching up your color scheme or making a few adjustments to your current colors, here are some easy ways to do it!
Layer → New Correction layer → Tone Curve
Use the “Tone Curve” to tweak and correct the main colors of the illustration a little.
Layer → New Correction layer → Hue/Saturation/Luminosity
Layer → New Correction layer → Reverse Gratient
Same Illustration but different colors \^o^/
↬ Adding the Characters
I finished my story’s character art and placed it on top of the detailed City Illustration we just created!
If you look closely, you can see that I added neon pink highlights and shaded with pink and blue tones to match the background!
Last Step) And now, just add your Story Title or Logo, and you’re done! \^o^/
Finished!
Side by side!
Since I wanted my characters to be the main focal point of the cover art, the background is mostly hidden. However, I like how portions of it remain subtly visible through certain spaces, adding depth to the overall composition!
Conclusion!
Soo this was my first time creating a Cyberpunk-themed illustration, be it background or the character with this vibe and while it was challenging, it was also a lot of fun! (●'◡'●)
Thank you for reading and I hope you had as much fun as I had while creating!
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