Hello everyone and welcome to my second tutorial on Clip Studio Paint! I realized I did not really show up last time so I'm going to do it now x)

My name is Lola, but my username is Sorasama. I am 19 years old, I am French and I am currently in medical school. Pleased to meet you !

I now try every month to participate in this contest to improve myself and get out of my comfort zone. Indeed, I find it hard time to set myself goals of drawings in parallel with my studies quite time-consuming, and the themes proposed here are ideal to improve the level of illustration techniques :)

Now that the presentations are done, I will in this tutorial share you most of my effects techniques applied to the illustration. For that I chose for the first time two specific themes, namely fantasy and futuristic illustrations: thanks to that I focus on a specific field and I try not to leave it to refine my technique on these themes. particular.

In a second time I chose to share with you the effect techniques I use in almost all my drawings in order to give them a more pronounced atmosphere: these will therefore be useful, whatever the theme of your illustration!

Before I begin, I confirm that I will only use the Clip Studio Paint drawing software to complete my tutorial, and that I will mention all the brushes I use along the way so that you do not get lost.

 

With that, let us launch now in the realization of our effects and give life to magnificent illustrations!

1) Fantasy illustration effects

Let's start with the first theme: fantasy!

To facilitate the observation, I first created a layer that I filled with black using the tool [filling]: we will have a better visibility of the effect throughout the tutorial.

In a second time, I add another layer over it: this is the one we will use below to begin our tutorial. I also invite you to rename it so that you can find it easily: for that [double-click] on the current name of the layer in question, then rename it as you wish.

a) Fire

First effect: fire! This devastating magic: o

 

I would like to draw the fire as if it started from the hand of a magician and then ended up running upwards, but you are free to change the shape of it because the principle remains the same;)

On my layer named [fire], I draw with the [G-pen] curves roughly imitating those of fire from its starting point to its end, and this with an orange color. Here, do not bother doing something very clean since we will change these flames right after.

Then use the [fingertips] tool with the [color stretch: 60] option to give dancing and irregular flames to the fire. Make sure they are wave-shaped for a more natural look. However take your time because it requires several trial and error before arriving at a satisfactory result :)

Now we are going to add some light to make these flames shine!

To do this, add a layer in [Add (Glow)] mode and use the [airbrush] tool to fill the flame with light. Be careful to use a yellow color tending towards white for this part, and to leave the edges of the flame darker than the center for a better result.

On a new [normal] layer, change the colors slightly until you are satisfied with the result. I especially added darker colors in order to break the excessive brightness and make the base of the fire brighter than the rest.

The flames being orange, we must add a halo of light around and inside.

In a new layer in [Add (glow)] mode not clipped with the flame, we add this halo with the [airbrush]: we start with the edges with dark red colors and we finish with almost white yellow for the center of the flame.

It seems now that it emits a powerful light!

Last step which concerns the details: we will add sparks for more realism.

For this I use the following tool, which gives a superb rendering and a small aspect RGB embers :)

I vary the size of the embers and I place them around the fire, all on a layer [Add (Glow)].

He now looks more dynamic because of that!

That's it, our fire is over!

Note that we can make it more interesting by varying its hue, especially as we are in a fantasy world that allows us this kind of modification.

If this interests you, you can first select the layer on which we have painted the halo, then go to [edit> tonal correction> hue / saturation / brightness].

From there, play with the various parameters offered in the window that will be opened and have fun testing different shades! Here are some examples below:

b) electricity / lightning

Second of three magical powers that I will present to you: electricity, or lightning since it is the same technique for both.

 

Let's start as earlier in the tutorial, with a black background and a layer called [lightning]. Then on a layer below it, draw in white a model of character that will tell you where the lightning comes from.

The electricity will come out of the left hand of the above character, so the generated electricity will circulate around this starting point.

On the [lightning] layer, draw a blue sketch of the lightning with [G-pen], forming zigzags without being precise. This will help us to understand where our electricity is going.

On top of this layer, create a new one that we will name [final flash]. Draw in white with [G-Pen] the final version of the lightning shape, arranging the draft direction and adding smaller and less pronounced zigzags. Remember to vary the thickness of the lightning in some places for more realism, at the ends of the lightning for example.

We will now bring out the lightning by giving it a bright side that will make it more captivating and that will detach clearly from the black background.

First, duplicate the layer [final flash] and place it underneath the original (its name is now [flash final copy]). Then select a new layer that you will clip to the layer [final flash copy], and fill it with light blue with the [fill] tool. You should get a blue flash that you will only see if you hide the layer [final flash] by clicking on the small eye.

Then merge these two layers by clicking on the blue layer then going into [layer> merge with the layer below].

Now that you have this layer, go to the tab [filter> blur> Gaussian blur]. Set the blur effect to 150 and admire the result: the lightning suddenly appears slightly bright and is already starting to detach from the dark background.

Once done, place a new layer just below [Final Flash]. On this one, we will make the main lines of the flash even brighter to make them stand out even more.

Using the [airbrush] tool set to the same blue color as previously used, lightly roll over the most prominent features of the flash.

Put one more layer at the very top of the layer stack already present, and set it to [Add (glow)] mode.

On this layer we will add sparks to give more relevance to our drawing. To do this I use the following tool again:

I apply the sparks sparingly so as not to overload our effect, concentrating them essentially at the starting point of the flash.

Last step: on the layer [final flash], gently blend a few branches or parts of branches of the flash with the [eraser] tool to bring out the brightest spots.

And here we are finished with this flash, let's go directly after!

c) Water

Without further ado, here is the last magic effect I introduce here: water! This power is without a doubt my favorite, I love the splashes that can be given to water droplets: D is gone!

This time, let's start with not a black layer but a light gray layer, just enough to see the splash.

On a new layer, briefly sketch the water splash shapes with curved, uneven lines, using the [G-pen] tool. In this way we will have the approximate form of water, which will have been sent from a point of space as if it were generated by the hand of a magician.

There is no point in being precise, just let your imagination guide you and you will get a result with rather disparate splashes.

Add a new layer over it (I'll call it [lineart]), and this time draw the water in a more precise and detailed way to clean the draft and have a result that we can work on afterwards. For this step, always keep the pen [G-pen] (yes I like it a lot xD) and do not forget the water droplets for more details.

It may seem complicated at first, but it's enough to take your time to apply curves that mimic the natural movement of water.

Now, let's create a new layer that we'll call [base color] and put it under the layer [lineart]. With the filling tool, completely fill the water with white to delineate it. Be careful to set the maximum [close gap] setting, which will prevent the color from spilling out of the water.

Create a new layer above [base color] and clip it to it. Using the tool [G-pen] we will fill the water with a light blue color over large areas, then a slightly darker blue for the shadows.

Remember to leave the edges of the water white as they correspond to the light areas.

At the level of the light edges are supposed to be present shadows, so we will add them on a new layer clipped to the layer [base color]. On this one, draw fine ripples using the [G-pen] towards the edges of the water and the inside of the splash. Then fade some strokes to the feeling with the tool [transparent watercolor], all in a darker color than those already used above.

On an umpteenth new clipped layer, add brightness in the front part of the puddle to highlight it. To achieve this you will need to use the [G-pen] with white and light blue alternately and add ripples until you get a result that's right for you.

It seems now that it comes out, but it's not enough!

On the same layer we will try to create a water movement effect. It moves from bottom to top as if it sprang with a hand, we will trace to the [G-pen] dark strokes back to the edges of the water: we feel the force exerted on the water! Add at the same time a few bursts of light around the edges with white to make them more remarkable.

Now that the shape and the movements of the water are very clear, we can detail our drawing.

On a brand new layer clipped again, use all the colors of the splash to create smaller waves in the water, add at the same time more light and shade if you wish. Use this step of the [Transparent Watercolor] tool set to [Size: 16] and [Color Stretch: 80].

This step can really take a lot of time but do not worry because the result will certainly be the rendezvous, just apply yourself and you will get a satisfactory result :)

Last step ! We will add some additional details to add more realism to our effect.

In a new layer not clipped this time, let's place a few more droplets here and there thanks to this tool that makes it easier for us in a process that is already long enough:

Here is what it gives:

Finally, finalize everything with a few small stars on the same layer thanks to the brush [Flicker A], and voila!

2) Futuristic illustration effects

Now enter the second phase of this tutorial: effects for futuristic designs! I'm going to make 3 that are rather simple to achieve and that could also adapt to certain situations in a more modern world. Let's go!

Remember that I will start on a black background as I did earlier in the tutorial, so follow the same method as previously used;)

a) Hexagons

This effect consists of drawing several hexagons as if they represented a kind of barrier or magical power. This is a form that is found relatively often in science fiction works, so I present it here!

To begin, draw in white with the [G-pen] (still him tell me you huh: v) a character of your choice on a new layer: you will know where your hexagons will be located, in my case I will arrange them around the character.

(the character is rather fantasy style but hey, what interests us is especially the effect itself: p)

Before you start, download this brush to easily draw sets of hexagons:

Once done, create a new layer and go to the [rule] tool. Several choices of rules are offered to you however you will have to select the [rule geometric shapes] to draw a circle. In the [tool properties] part of this rule, check the circular shape and the box [create on layer currently being edited]. Now you can draw a circle by moving your stylus from one point to another, no matter the size.

Now select the brush that we downloaded to create hexes with ease, then click the [settings] button next to [brush size].

In the window that will appear before your eyes, uncheck the [pen pressure] option so that when we draw our circle of hexes, it remains homogeneous and does not vary with the pressure you exert.

Now draw the hexagon circle on the circular guide!

When you're done, delete the circular rule that we will not need anymore. For that, [right click] on the layer being edited then click [delete rule].

Let's continue by changing the perspective of our circle by respecting that of the original drawing.

Go at first in [edit> transform> free transformation]

Then modify the hexagon circle as you like, obviously respecting the perspective of the illustration because the two must match. Simply stretch the edges of the selection by clicking on one of them and moving your stylus.

After this step, get rid with your [eraser] of the parts of the circle normally hidden by the character you have drawn.

Transform the current layer into [Add (Glow)] for a translucent effect, then erase with the [soft eraser] the parts of the circles that are supposed to disappear in the scenery, especially where the circle move away from the observer to give an effect of depth.

Duplicate the layer currently in use by going to [right-click> duplicate layer] and drag that copy just below the original layer. Then lower the [opacity] of this layer to [50] to break the bright light.

Go to [filter> blur> Gaussian blur] and set the blur effect to [100]: you get a halo that gives the circle of hexes a brilliant appearance, clearly separating it from the dark background of the drawing.

Let's add particles of light heterogeneously: to do this, let's once again use the miracle tool, I named:

(I love this tool it's amazing lol)

On a new layer [Add (Glow)] placed above all others, arrange your particles as you wish, without overloading the drawing. In parenthesis, knowing that our hexagon circle is blue, it would be better to change the color of the particles to create harmony between the elements.

To do this, go to [edit> tonal correction> hue / saturation / brightness] and then change the hue of the particles to blue.

Let's add a halo to these particles using the same method used for the circle, that is to say [duplicate layer] then [filter> blur> Gaussian blur];) The only differences are opacity which does not fall and the blur will be less intense, around [20] instead of [100] previously.

Here is the final result:

Note that there too we could play on the layers to experiment with new combinations of colors and lights that will perhaps combine better with your original illustration!

An example that I tested is to make a gradient on a layer [lineart burn]: result, I found myself with a nice rendering that seemed softer and more colorful than my starting circle.

So have fun with all this to discover new techniques!

This effect in particular can adapt to many situations not related to the world of science fiction: screens, neons, magic circles, etc ...

So have fun replicating it in a lot of situations!

b) Space

Space or starry skies are often part of sci-fi sets, so I'm going to show you how to paint a colorful, starry sky easily, by adding the Milky Way in our drawing to better to represent these two phenomena!

In this part of the tutorial, choose a layer of any color since it will not matter to us, we will cover it immediately on another layer. On this new layer, go to [gradient> night sky] and move your pen from top to bottom to create a gradient similar to that of a dark sky: from black at the top to blue at the bottom.

Following this, download the brush available below, which will be used to dispatcher of stars in the sky very easily:

On a new layer [hard light], scatter the colored stars of this brush to illuminate the night sky. I advise you to adjust the brush on [size: 2000] so that the stars are better visible.

Download now this second brush, useful to draw a Milky Way quickly:

On a new layer [normal], then draw in [black] with this brush the Milky Way, forming a slight curve with it to give more relevance to your drawing than will give a rectilinear shape.

Create a new layer clipped to the layer containing the Milky Way, then color on it the edges of the Milky Way with the [airbrush] tool. Regarding the colors to use, you must put light yellow in the middle, blue on the edges, and add some touches of pink, purple and green in various places.

In order to bring out the light emitted by the Milky Way, clip a new layer in [Glow Dodge] mode to the layer of the Milky Way. Then using the [airbrush] brush set to light yellow, lightly apply this shade, which will come out like light.

Give even more brilliance to the Milky Way by adding soft light. To do this, you will need to create a layer [Add (Glow)] to stall between the layer [STAR] and the layer containing the drawing of the Milky Way. With the [airbrush] add a dim light behind the Milky Way using blue, but also green, pink, purple and white.

Let's accentuate the glittering effect of stars with the [flicker A] brush on a new [Color dodge] layer. Choose, of course, colors that match the rest of the decor for your stars, especially red or blue, which represent respectively the distance or the approximation of a star.

Last step: I put many small stars through the brush [spray] on a layer [Color dodge], all concentrated around and within the Milky Way to give it more luster: It is now much livelier !

Here, after that you are free to add the scenery elements of your choice to make your drawing more alive! Here is the final result:

c) Shooting star

Last effect of this part: shooting stars to give even more color to our starry background! Before we go to the realization of these last, I will show you another way to draw a starry sky since we will use this base to work on the shooting stars. Thus you will have the choice between two techniques;) Go let's go!

Let's first install a night sky in our canvas with the [gradient] tool as in the tutorial above (I just changed the starting colors). Remember, the darkest color is always at the top!

New technique to disperse stars on your canvas, with another very practical tool! Here it is :

Thanks to this wonderful tool, you will be able to draw two types of stars, in this case large ones for one and smaller ones for the other!

Once this tool is downloaded, use it on a layer [Add (Glow)] and brush your brush in three steps: at first, you will take a dark blue color and draw the most distant stars that appear more blurred . Use the little star brush for that.

Then, in a second step, draw on the same layer with the same brush white stars, closer to the observer and therefore brighter. Finally, brush the brush one last time to create larger stars using the second brush, always in white.

 

Here's what it can do:

Always on the same layer, add a few sparkling stars here and there with the tool [flicker A], to represent the blinking of stars generated by the Earth's atmosphere.

On the same layer [Add (Glow)] always put more small stars with low glow in the background to fill it, and this with the small star brush downloaded earlier.

Add to that, using the halo technique learned earlier in the tutorial (part [hexagons]), a slight halo around all these stars to further detach them from the darker background, all on a layer [Add ( Glow] named here [Layer 2].

Finally to embellish our sky we will simulate a nebula effect that will give texture and a wider range of colors to our design.

Realize this effect with the brush that I presented to you earlier and that helped us to easily trace a Milky Way, I named:

On a layer [Add (glow)] to be placed under layers [layer 2] and [layer 2 copy], tap with the brush above several places so that, put end to end, these "clouds" "form a kind of nebula. Favor colors close to those used to paint the sky, such as [blue], [purple] or very light [green] or [peachy pink]. Also make sure that your brush is a size close to [400] and that your colors are only light.

Here we are, you now have two different techniques to make beautiful starry skies simply! It's up to you to choose your favorite method or to combine some aspects of both, indulge yourself :)

Let's go to the highlight of this part of the tutorial, that is to say the shooting stars. There exist methods as varied as the others to draw these fabulous phenomena falling straight from the sky, so here I will present two feasible quickly.

Start by going to the [figure> curve] tab. Knowing that we are trying to draw a shooting star made of a slightly curved body and a tail that is refined along the length, we will have to change the default settings.

Click first on the [+] button to the left of the [start and end] of the curve, which will display the sub-parameters related to the [curve] tool. Here, click on the button to the right of the [start and end] sentence, which opens a new parameter window named [start and end effect dynamics]. In this, you will have to check the boxes corresponding to [thickness], [brush size] and [brush density] to be able to vary them when we plot the meteors.

After that, click on the button to the right of the phrase [how to specify], and choose the option [by percentage]. Below, check only the [start] box and increase its value to the maximum. This should allow us to reduce the size of our shooting stars on one side, at the level of their tail.

Then leave this window and draw your curves on a new layer [normal] with the color white. It is not necessary that your shooting star is too curved by cons, then find a compromise between curve and line. And take care to converge your shooting stars towards the same point in space for more realism!

Use the [G-pen] brush on the same layer and make the front part of your shooting stars bigger, representing the brightest part of the trail.

Let us now represent the light emitted by these shooting stars. Under layer [4] containing the shooting stars, create a new layer in [Lighten] mode and use the [airbrush] to spread a bright color around the meteors, especially at the level of their heads. choose colors that complement your illustration like [orange-yellow] or [blue-green].

Here is a type of shooting star! We will now discover the following, a little more detailed but quite simple design.

Start by drawing on a new layer a large shooting star like the ones we did previously.

On another layer to place just above, draw a long trail from the front of the star. Use for this task the brush [smooth watercolor] and set it to a fairly large size. To show that the end of the trail is melting into the sky, lightly erase the tip of the trail with the [soft eraser] in the direction of the tail of the shooting star. For colors, select bright yellow near the head of the shooting star, place pink in the middle to express the lowering temperature, and finish with a light blue color at the ends.

Add to this, on a new layer, particles of light.

To do this, use the [droplet] tool and dispatches flashes of light all along the shooting star.

Duplicate this layer now and place it under the original layer. Then go to [filter> blur> radial blur], and set the following parameters: [force: 2], [direction: outward], and [mode: soft]. Move the little red cross over the head of the shooting star so that the particle trail follows the same direction as the meteor, then confirm the changes.

We created an impression of movement thanks to this maneuver!

Last point of this tutorial!

We will reinforce the light emitted by our shooting star by ironing it with the [airbrush] on a new layer [Add (glow)]. Use colors that are similar to that of the shooting star so as not to obscure them under a surplus of light.

And that's it! Here is the final result: