Dividing layers and filling in flat colors

I start adding flat colors, and divide layers by color while I’m at it. The colors don’t have to be the final colors.

 

In Photoshop, I would color using [Expand selection area] and [Fill] on the selection area I made using the magic wand tool. On the other hand, Clip Studio Paint’s [Fill] tool has a [Refer other layers] sub tool that gives me the option under the [Tool Property] palette for [Area scaling] and [Close gap]. All I have to do then is choose a color and select the area to fill.

 

I can refer to the character layer and background layer respectively, and fill them.

 

In the end, my layer composition becomes something like this. The basic rule of thumb is to put darker colors on top, and lighter colors on the bottom.

I separate and group the flat colors into different layers in a layer folder. It’s convenient to use layer folders when arranging layers because it makes them easier to adjust later. I still haven’t thought in depth about coloring, so I start to think about it as I separate and arrange my layers.

 

Deciding the colors

Using the [Edit] menu’s [Tonal Correction], I find the right color tone by trial and error.

 

I chose colors with similar tones so that they would match well. If you want a brighter or more colorful effect, use more contrasting colors instead.

I used green as the primary color and to direct attention to the bamboo.

 

Painting

I start by adding shadows.

 

I mainly use [Dense watercolor], [Paint and apply], and the [G-pen].

 

After shadowing with [Dense watercolor], I blend the colors with [Paint and apply] and then tidy up with the [G Pen].

 

[Dense watercolor]: For sharp paint lines

[Paint and apply]: For smooth, blended lines

[G-Pen]: For thin effect lines, etc.

 

To create the shadow colors, I was initially planning to add a green tone or lower the brightness of the base color. However, for the parts around the broom, the central focus of the illustration, I added purple to the shadows.

Though this wasn’t an essential step, I thought that the broom might fade into the background if the shadows were a similar color.

 

Changing the line art color

With the painting done, I’ll change some of the line art to colors that match the illustration.

 

In the [Layer] palette, I select the “Background Line Art” layer, then click [Lock Transparent Pixel].

With [Lock Transparent Pixel] turned on, I go to the “Background Line Art” layer and use tools such as the [Airbrush] to adjust the color of the line art.

 

The below image shows how I changed the color of the lines.

 

I change some of the lines on the “Character Line Art” layer in the same way such as the front of the hair and the lower half of the pupils.

 

Final touches

I notice that her eyes are less emphasized, so I add more detail to them on a new layer while adding highlights.

It’s kind of like applying makeup.

 

The painting step is now complete! I use sub tools such as the [Ruler] and the [Figure] tool for the inner frames of the windows while keeping an eye on the overall balance of the work.