Hi, I'm Cherry, and this time I'll teach you how to paint two types of effects and finishes in your illustrations: satin finish and holographic/iridescent finish.
Value Scale / Grayscale.
This scale refers to the tonal valuation between white and black, resulting in a grayscale of those values. We must identify at least a high value, a medium value, and a low value. Keep this in mind because it is very important to understand how light and shadow relate.
Gradient Maps.
Gradient maps are color adjustments or tools that allow us to work on the values (the value scale) we have on an image. We can choose between alternating changes of as many colors as we want. In this image, I show you two examples.
Image 1: grayscale from black to white
Image 2: value scale with the default “sunset glow” scale
Image 3: value scale with the default “rainbow” scale
Gradient maps are very useful for speeding up coloring work.
Satin fabric / Silk satin.
Before starting, I would like to tell you the differences between the two.
Since these types of fabrics have the same finish, they are often confused. Both have the same type of weave which partly helps to give that light effect, and it is that same pattern or weave that gives them their name. However, the fibers they are made with are different.
Silk satin fabric is based on silk thread, while satin fabric is mostly made of cotton. And although they seem the same, they are not, however, they are similar finishes, which is why we have to take these types of details into account when illustrating.
To have continuity and narrative coherence in our paintings.
I will refer to this fabric as “satin”.
Satin has a characteristic sheen on one of its sides.
Since the finish is very smooth, the fabric captures a lot of light, and this is especially evident in the curves of the folds, where the curvature stands out with a gleaming shine, and where the curve dips, the color turns almost black.
SATIN EFFECT - Gradient map.
To prepare our gradient map, we will do the following:
In the toolbar, choose --> Gradient Tool (1) --> Right click on “Foreground to transparent” --> Duplicate sub tool
(We name it however we want to identify it, I named it “satin”).
Then we have to work on that new gradient. We will choose the color for our satin fabric, I chose red.
On the gradient settings, we move the arrows just below the bar.
We can also place the cursor at the beginning or end of where these are and generate more arrows. With this action, we can manipulate the intensity and position of the colors, and in the small squares above, we can choose the color we want.
This gradient must have a finish similar to this:
Here is a video for you to understand it better.
To paint your illustration, you should only take into account that in satin fabric, the highlight usually has the main tone, for example, if you chose blue, the highlight will be a slightly desaturated light blue. Also, the color you choose should be desaturated. Shadows should be very dark.
Both the base color, as well as the shadows and the highlight, should be on different layers; I recommend this for all your illustrations. When you have everything ready, save it in a folder.
Duplicate that folder and convert it into a raster layer.
Duplicate folder --> Right click --> Convert layer --> Convert to raster layer.
This is how you can use the gradient directly on this new layer you created.
To use this, make sure you have this same layer selected (or are working on it).
Then do the following:
Edit --> Tonal Correction --> Gradient Map
Select the gradient map you created and accept.
Finally, give your illustration the finishing touches by adding or removing layers of light and shadow, but already working on the new layer. Don't forget to correct any errors that may appear, such as shadows or lights where they shouldn't be. You can also correct the tone.
IRIDESCENT FINISH - Gradient map.
The process is exactly the same, but with slight differences when creating the gradient map.
Iridescence is an optical effect in which light will be visible depending on the angle from which it is observed, meaning the variation of tones will change depending on the angle. That is why, when observing this effect, the range of colors will vary, being affected not only by its surroundings but also by our own perception.
The layer system is placed exactly the same as with satin fabric.
An intermediate base color, a layer of dark shadows (not as dark as in satin), and on top, a layer of not-so-accentuated or bright lights.
To create this gradient map, follow the same process I described above, but this time the value map goes in this direction:
The colors you choose should also be desaturated, and keep in mind the strip of light color interposed between the darkest and lightest tone, because precisely that effect makes it different from satin or other types of finishes.
This effect is very complex and requires a lot of study because the light strips cannot be placed just anywhere, unlike the satin effect, where light is painted on the surface of what simulated fabric and the most intense shadows were painted where there was no light. Iridescence does not necessarily follow those rules. The lightest strip of light is not placed next to the darkest point.
Since I know this is a bit difficult to understand, I found some gradient maps that you can download from the Assets library.
Studying these will be very helpful for you to create your own gradient maps with this effect or use these that are available for free download.
The kind user who created these maps is: westdogalcohol
Don't forget to use and credit your references. <3
Done! What did you think?
I think using gradient maps is simple and helps a lot to create incredible finishes that at first seem very complicated.
I hope I have helped you with my tutorial. 😊
I wish you much success!
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Links where you can find my work:
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