[1] Creating the base

I start off by creating a base layer for coloring.

 

(1) I create a new layer and select the [Tool] palette > [Auto select] tool.

In the [Tool Property] palette, I turn on [Follow adjacent pixel] and select the outside of the line art borders.

Note: The following figure shows the selected area with a pink color for clarity’s sake.

 

(2) Invert the selection area. I click the upper [Selection area] menu > [Invert selected area] to invert the selection area.

 

(3) I create a new layer under the line art layer, select white on the [Color set] palette, and fill the entire selection area using [Edit] menu > [Fill]. This will become the base of the fill layer.

 

(4) After deselecting the selection area, I enable [Layer] menu > [Layer Settings] > [Lock Transparent Pixel] to prevent coloring the outside areas. Note: You can enable this option by clicking the [Lock Transparent Pixel] icon on the upper [Layer] palette.

 

(5) I fill the entire selection area with beige using the [Fill] tool, and my base layer is ready.

 

[2] Rough coloring

I roughly block out the colors while referring to the original photo.

 

I select each color by double-clicking the drawing color on the [Tool] palette and adjusting the colors in the [Color settings] dialog box.

 

Note:

It is useful to load reference materials such as photographs in the [Sub View] palette.

For details on how to use the [Sub View] palette, refer to the following TIPS.

 

For the fill brush, I use a [Pen] tool > [Fill-in-mono pen] with 10 to 20 px size, or use the [Fill] tool to color the entire canvas while referring to the line art.

 

While comparing the colors, I select a specific color with the [Auto select] tool and adjust the overall balance of the color from [Edit] menu > [Tonal Correction] > [Hue/Saturation/Luminosity].

 

▼ Adjusting the blue paper lantern at the upper left using the [Hue/Saturation/Luminosity] option.

 

I then pick up the new color with the [Eyedropper] tool and finish painting each section, then repeat this process until the entire illustration is colored.

 

I take in account of complementary colors, in this case by contrasting the yellow lights and the purple-toned darkness.

 

Note:

Using the [Fill] tool in Clip Studio Paint, you can continuously paint multiple enclosed areas by dragging the tool across the areas. This is very helpful when coloring detailed line art.

I also recommend that you try out the [Close and fill] and [Paint unfilled area] sub tools for color blocking your illustration.

For details on how to use these tools, refer to the following lesson.

 

① I drag the [Fill] > [Refer other layers] tool in the pattern of the red line

② I drag the [Fill] > [Paint unfilled area] tool in the pattern of the red line to color any missed spots

 

[3] Detailed coloring

In order to see the color boundaries more clearly, I lower the opacity of the line art layer to 30%.

I then color the illustration in detail.

 

Then, I hide the “line art” layer and edit the color boundaries to reduce any irregularities.

 

I restore the opacity of the “line art” layer to 100%, and I’ve finished coloring!

 

In the next parts, I will adjust the color of the lines and add a gradient to the illustration.