ENTINTED DIGITAL CON CLIP STUDIO PAINT

INDEX

1-Introduction and preparation of the pencil.

2-Inked with fixed line thickness.

3-Inking with variable line thickness on a raster layer.

4-Inking with variable line thickness on a vector layer.

1- INTRODUCTION AND PREPARATION OF THE PENCIL

In this tutorial we will see what are the tools for digitally inking with Clip Studio Paint. The inking tools are one of the strengths of this program, which makes it highly recommended for beginning inkers.

 

We will explain three methods of inking, which can be used to work professionally in animation studios, and of course to make illustrations or comics.

 

The first method uses a line of fixed thickness. This method is widely used in movies or animated series to prevent lines from dancing or changing size.

The second method is variable thickness line inking on a raster layer.

The third method also uses a line of variable thickness, but on a vector layer.

 

One tip: When inking, it is better not to rest the palm of your hand on the graphic tablet. This will allow us to move the wrist and forearm with greater freedom and the lines drawn will be more fluid.

This is the pencil that we will ink. It is a refined and clean sketch, leaving only the lines that will be inked visible.

2- INKED WITH FIXED LINE THICKNESS

If we want a linear inking, without variation in the thickness of the line, like that used in many animation productions, to avoid that the line vibrates.

We will always use a "G" nib.

The [Pen] settings in [Tool Property] are:

-Brush size. A fixed size of 3 points. The options to the side allow us

link to the pressure and tilt of the pen. We deactivate them to draw with a line of fixed thickness.

• 100% opacity.

-Smooth in the second option.

-Stabilization at 25 or 30%. Stabilization delays plotting and allows for more accuracy.

-Vector magnet. It allows connecting lines to each other.

 

The keyboard shortcuts are "P" for nib and "E" for eraser.

 

Straight lines are achieved by pressing shift or shift from one point to another.

 

3-INK OF VARIABLE THICKNESS IN A CROSSED LAYER

Create a new raster layer.

We use the [Pen G] again. But this time we activate the "Pen Pressure" and "Tilt" options that appear by clicking the box next to [Brush size].

We inked on the raster layer with a round brush on the pencil layer. We try to adjust the strokes to the maximum to this one. But if the work is not for animation, and with the inking line we improve the sketch line, we can settle for it.

Tips: Becoming a good inker takes a lot of practice. I don't have it, and if you're reading a text, you probably don't have it either. Common mortals like us are forced to tweak to get a good result. The important thing is the result, it does not matter if you get to it "cheating": retouching line widths, erasing too long lines, etc. The important thing is that the final value of the equation is correct, although we have had to erase the bad accounts along the way.

Erase the lines up to their intersection.

The line expresses a hierarchical value. Making the line wider means giving importance. Our eye will follow the order of hierarchy that we trace. We help the brain to order from greatest to least importance. The contour lines of the figure and the human body are thicker, and the details, wrinkles, secondary folds of clothing, and accessories: watches, bracelets, are thicker. The thickness also defines the distance. Farther objects have finer lines. Compare the two hands of the character.

Expressiveness follows a similar logic. We will notice the changes in thickness in the line, and our attention will be fixed where the line is thickest. As in writing, the changing thickness of the line gives an almost musical rhythm.

4-INK OF VARIABLE THICKNESS IN A VECTOR LAYER

Inking over a vector layer has advantages. We can use rulers to help us draw lines, and we can edit and change the strokes. However, the line created with vectors is not as expressive as the one we get in a raster layer. And by erasing it, undesirable results arise.

We use the [Pen G] again as in the previous case, with the "pencil pressure" activated, only this time we will paint on a vector layer.

Create a new vector layer.

When the lines are very wide, it is almost impossible to hit the inking stroke. This is the case with kinetic lines and the katana.

We will help ourselves with a rule.

[Ruler / Curved ruler / Cubic Bézier]

We will use this rule to draw the blade of the katana. Holding the click we define the vector curve.

 

Then we inked with the pen, which will automatically follow the line of the ruler.

We do the same with the kinetic line.

We can edit the vector nodes of the path with the [Object] tool. For example, lengthen the end of the stroke.

Finally, with the [Line correction] tool we can increase or decrease the thickness of a part of the line.

Using the vector eraser to erase lines that intersect, up to their intersection, is the most useful option in vector layers, and in Clip Studio Paint. Remember that the lines must be created on a vector layer.

[Eraser / Vector / Erase to intersection] tool

Final score.