The basic painting flow starts with layer 1, which will be each part’s base, and then I make a [Clip at Layer Below] layer 2 to add multiple layers of colors.

Additionally, layers set to frequently used blending modes such as [Add(Glow)] and [Screen] are made above ②.

 

Note:

Selecting [Clip at Layer Below] will make the clipped layer reference the layer directly below it, and restrict the drawing area of the clipped layer.

For details, please see the following TIPS.

 

I use the [Brush] tool > [Watercolor] > [Opaque Watercolor] sub tool. The [Opaque Watercolor] properties are shown below. Minor adjustments are made depending on the part.

 

[1] Painting skin

• Female character

 

① I flattened the skin base color in the previous lesson.

② I block the shadows with opaque watercolor.

③ I smooth uneven parts with [Blend] tool > [Blur] sub tool.

Leaving unevenness adds a watercolor-like taste to the image, but I decided to smooth them as the girl’s face doesn’t have many prominent features.

④ I add shadows of the hair.

⑤ I add cute blushes to the cheeks.

 

 

 

*Male character

 

While the flow is identical, his features cast deeper shadows.

I always struggle when balancing shadow density to not make them too dark. Add some color and gloss to the lips to make him beautiful!

 

I tweaked the outlines of the skin as well.

I turn on [Lock Transparent Pixel] in the [Layer] palette, and then set the line color to light brown.

After duplicating the layer, I change the lower (source) layer blending mode to [Multiply].

I turn off [Lock Transparent Pixel], and apply [Filter] menu > [Blur] > [Blur (strong)] effect 2-4 times.

You can see that the lines are even more softer and lighter.

 

[2] Painting eyes

• Female character

 

① The eye base color flatted in the previous lesson.

② I block in the shadows.

③ I draw fine shadows using a brush and pencil.

④ The eye outlines stand out too much, so I make changes using the airbrush.

For parts touching skin such as the corners, I blend it with the skin.

⑤ On the skin layer, I paint the eye whites in white with opaque watercolor.

⑥ I draw eye shadows on the multiply layer.

⑦ I add highlights on a layer with the blend mode set to [Add(Glow)]. I kind of like this step.

⑧ Using [Add (Glow)], I add soft light to darker parts of the eye.

I think that it is prettier to use different colors for the iris and the rest of the eye. I also correct leftover lines from step 4 with an eraser.

 

 

 

*Male character

 

The flow is identical. However, while the girl’s irises were drawn larger in a cute style, for the male character I decided to draw the irises smaller for a more sharper, masculine image. (Although in my mind, he’s actually a wimp...)