Hello, in this tutorial I will teach how to use the reference layers to facilitate the work when painting.

First thing we need to know is that reference layers allow us to apply fill and draw on other layers only affecting a specific layer.

How to convert layers to reference layers?

There are several ways to do it, use the one of your preference.

WAY 1: Select the window of (Layer), then (Layer adjustment) and last (Set as reference layer)

WAY 2: In the place where all the layers appear, we will right click on the layer that we want to convert and choose the option (Set as reference layer).

WAY 3: In this way we can select several reference layers and I think that for me it is the simplest.

We just have to go to the place where the layers are and click on the boxes next to them and select them last, we just have to click on the icon that is above (Reference layers).

After this explanation we can continue with the methods to use the reference layers.

1. Fill without leaving the lineart

If we put the fill option with a different configuration we can facilitate our works so that it is easier when painting them.

1. We draw the lineart and turn them into reference layers.

2. We use the tool (Fill), (Refer to other layers) and click on (Tool settings).

3. We activate (Multiple reference) and we give the option of (Reference layer).

In (Exclude) we give the option of (Exclude selected layer).

We fill the circles but the circle above we will do it in a different way.

we paint leaving the limit of the drawing.

3. We continue in the color layer only now we will select the transparency in the lower part.

4. To remove the excess we click on the parts that are outside the lineart.

2. Make gradients of different colors

In this method the (Outline Paint Line) tool will be used.

In {Normal Paint} option and with Multiple Reference enabled with {Reference Layer}.

The brush that we will use should not paint with little opacity.

In this case I will use the pen (G).

(Must have smoothing set to {Nothing})

1. We will make the lineart on a layer and convert it to a reference layer.

2. On a layer below the lineart we will choose 3 colors for the gradient and paint a line from one end to the other.

(They have to touch the limit of the lineart)

3. On the same layer where we draw the 3 lines, with the tool {Contour painting in line} (With the previous settings, we click the white spaces inside the lineart)

3. Selection with reference layers

In this case the {Selection} tool has a separate option for referenced layers called [Selection of referenced layers].

But we will use the option [Refer to other layers to select]

With the following configuration:

We activate {Multiple Reference} with the [Reference Layers] option.

As an example, on 2 different layers I will draw a circle.

1. To fill it we add a layer below circle 1.

If we want it to select the entire circle we have to slide the tool.

Example:

If we only click on the center, the part that is not affected by the other circle will be selected.

But if we slide where the two circles cross to the opposite side, the entire circle will be selected.

We do the same with circle 2, but add a layer above the lineart of circle 1 for the color.

(This would be the order of the layers)

4. Decoration with reference layers

This method could be used for the effect of lights or decoration.

On a layer, we will use a ready-made image or drawing.

Above that layer with a tool like the airbrush we paint all the areas that we want to decorate

Then we convert the drawing layer to a reference layer.

And with the fill method, on the layer where we use the airbrush, we select the {Fill} tool

And in the part where the colors are chosen, we select the transparency.

We click outside the drawing.

And it would look like this.

If it looks like this, with some gaps we must go to tool configuration and deactivate {Area scaling}

Examples of how to use it

In the eyes we can use the method to make gradients.

With the selection method we can paint faster, by filling it.

Final

Here ends the tutorial, I hope you have been able to understand the explanation and that it will help you when doing your works.

Thanks for staying until the end!