0. Introduction

In this article, I will introduce this month's theme, "Hair arrangements to suit your character."\nI will show you how to paint hair colors vividly to match your character while saving time.\n\nThis tutorial consists of the following three parts:\n1. How to paint colorful hair\n2. How to paint simple hair colors\n3. How to paint light-colored hair with light hitting it

1. How to paint colorful hair

Characters with colorful hair can be time-consuming because you have to select multiple colors, blur them, or use the Multiply blending mode to darken them, constantly changing your color choices and painting methods.\nAdditionally, when choosing colors, blurring or mixing them can sometimes result in colors you didn't expect, leading to repeated repainting.\n\nIn this tutorial, I will introduce a way to save time on these tasks by using Gradient Maps.

🌟 Preparing to paint hair color

To determine the hair's color tones, we will paint it in gray.\nPlease change the hair color layer to "Grayscale" before painting.

🌟 Specifying the area to paint for the hair color

We will specify the area for painting only the hair color part.\n\n■ How to specify\n1. Select the layer or folder where the entire hair is painted, right-click, and select "Selection from Layer"\n2. Select "Create Selection"

🌟 Applying a Gradient Map to the selected area

We will apply the hair color to the selected area.\n\n3. With the selection active, select "New Correction Layer" from the Layer menu\n4. Select "Gradient Map"

Once the Gradient Map layer is added, you can adjust the gradient by double-clicking the Gradient Map icon on the layer.

🌟 Samples of vivid color gradients

Other combinations like yellow & light blue, emerald green & purple, and purple & pink will look like the illustrations below.

🌟 Colorful Gradient Map assets

The gradients used this time are based on Gradient Map assets already available for sale, with some color adjustments made.\n\n

2. How to paint simple hair colors

In addition to colorful hair, I will also introduce gradient combinations for simple hair colors using Gradient Maps of similar hues.

🎨 Samples of brown Gradient Maps

🎨 Other Gradient Map samples of similar hues

🎨 Assets for Gradient Maps of similar hues

The gradients used for similar hues are based on Gradient Map assets already available for sale, with some color adjustments made.\n\n

3. How to paint light-colored hair with light hitting it

I will introduce how to express light reflections in scenes where sunlight or indoor light hits the character, along with gradients for light hair colors.\n\n

When painting the initial gray, use light shades since we will be applying light colors later.

✨ Determining the area of light on the hair

Assuming light hits from the upper right.\n1. Light blue area: Roughly determine the light area in a fan shape.\n* Since the light comes from the right side, there's no need to add light to everything, leaving the left side mostly in shadow.\n2. Purple area: Gently determine the light area along the flow of the hair.

✨ Determining the hair gradient

Since light colors are the main focus, the area for dark colors is minimized.\nPurple is added as an accent because using only similar hues would look monotonous.

✨ Adding light to the entire character

Finally, add light to the entire character to finish. \nSet the lighting layer to "Add (Glow)" and paint with a soft brush using a light yellow.\n\nThe line art of the hair is painted mainly where the light hits.

✨ Samples of light-colored Gradient Maps

4. Conclusion

The hair color combinations using Gradient Maps introduced here are just a few examples.\nThere are many color combinations, such as light pastels or flashy vivid colors, so please try creating and using gradients that match your illustrations.\n\nThank you for reading until the end.