Introduction

Today, I want to show you a process for digitally painted backgrounds in Clip Studio Paint, with a particular focus on the Perspective Ruler Tool.

With this tool, you can draw and paint along vanishing points you've set, as if by magic. I like to use this tool to primarily align compositions to a specific perspective and prepare them for the later painting process.

Before we really get started, I want to explain the technical basics of the tool to you. We'll get help from Boxi, the perspectively flexible box!

Video Tutorial

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Perspective Rulers: Basics

First, I select the Perspective Ruler Tool from the collection of rulers. Sub Tool [Ruler] > [Create ruler] > [Perspective ruler]

In the Tool Properties, “Add Vanishing Point” should be set [Tool Property] > [Process] > [Add vanishing point]

Based on my sketch, I align two guides. To do this, simply click on the canvas with the cursor, you can still adjust them, and once you release, the guideline is set. The intersection with another guideline creates a vanishing point that lies on a blue horizon line.

Now I create a vector layer [Layer Properties > New Vector Layer] and draw my lines with the Pen Tool [Pen > Real G-Pen].

Since I'm using a vector layer, I can easily remove excess lines with the Vector Eraser [Eraser]>[Vector]. And just like that, we have a box in 1-point perspective.

Now we'll put a smile on Boxi's face. For this, I use the Ellipse subtool [Figure] > [Ellipse], and you can see how accurately I can align an ellipse on the perspectively distorted surface.

If needed, you can also turn off the Perspective Ruler, for example, if you want to draw a curved line as shown here.

By adding a second vanishing point, a 2-point perspective is created.

Here, too, I use the same process for cleanup.

Often, the vanishing points might be slightly off, or you might have a better vision. But don't panic, with the Object tool [Operation] > [Object], you can move the horizon line and guides by clicking on them.

With the small circular handles, you can rotate guides; with the larger ones, you can move them.

If you don't want to move the horizon line, I recommend activating 'Fix eye level' in the Tool Properties of the Object Tool [Operation] > [Object] > [Fix eye level].

By adding another vanishing point above or below the horizon line, we have a 3-point perspective.

If lines are assigned to the wrong vanishing point, you can also deactivate the vanishing points that should not be used.

To do this, select the Operation > Sub Tool [Operation] > Object again and click on one of the guides. Press the diamond symbol next to one of the unwanted vanishing points, and from then on, lines will only be aligned to the selected vanishing points.

 

In the Tool Properties of the Perspective Ruler [Ruler] > Sub Tool [Ruler] > Tool Property [Perspective ruler], there are other useful modes. With Add Guides, additional guides can be added, which can be very useful but also quickly cause chaos. So be careful with that. You can remove guides and vanishing points again using [Delete Guides] and [Delete Vanishing Points]!

If a vanishing point should extend to infinity, you can achieve this with the Infinitize mode!

Using Perspective Ruler for Background Paintings + Painting Process

So much for the technical basics; now I'll show you a process for background paintings.

In my background, an office should be seen in a wide shot from above. We take the position of an observer, and perhaps this shot would be used as an establishing shot at the beginning of a scene.

Of course, I researched extensively and thought about what the office should look like, what furniture would be there, and what the arrangement of individual items means.

I will start my process with a sketch. I try to visualize the vanishing points and the horizon line. In this case, I'm working with a 3-point perspective, and the horizon line should be slightly slanted.

After my graceful sketch is complete, I use it as a basis for my underdrawing.

Now I correct my perspective assumptions and try to fit my sketch into a 3-point scheme. With the Pen Tool, I create a new, clean version of the room.

Now I block in colors for the walls and furniture in my composition. With the Polyline Tool [Selection Area] > [Polyline], I can quickly select areas and fill them with the Bucket Tool [Fill]. Small tip: Try to deviate from the preliminary drawing; these inaccuracies make the image more dynamic.

I define my light areas according to the same scheme. With a Clipping Mask [Layer Properties > Clip to Layer below], I avoid painting outside the contour. These surfaces are most strongly facing the light. In these areas, I also want to define the most detail.

My shadow areas get their own Clipping Masks again, and I set the Layer Mode to Multiply.

Now everything is defined: the arrangement, light, and shadow. Now the actual painting process begins. I design the edges of light and shadow, incorporate textures, and try to weave in interesting brushwork so it doesn't look too digital.

And this is what the finished painting looks like. Have fun trying out your Perspective Rulers!

 

Until the next tutorial! :)