[1] Painting the uniform

First, I make a new layer folder titled “Navy”. As with the skin, I’m going to make new layers on top of the flat color layer and turn on [Clip at Layer Below].

 

 

 

■1. First, I make a new layer on top of the flat color layer for the uniform, and use the [Airbrush] tool → [Soft] to add a color that is lighter than the base color where the sunlight hits.

 

■2. I create another layer and set the blending mode to [Multiply]. Using the [Watercolor] > [Dense watercolor] brush, I add shadows for a three-dimensional effect.

 

 

When drawing the shadows for the uniform, I wanted to express the sturdy texture of the fabric on the skirt and the collar. Therefore, using the [Dense watercolor] brush, I added clear shadows for the pleats to create the effect of a stiff fabric.

For the parts where I want to add even darker shadows, I make another layer set to [Multiply] blending mode and paint the shadows on that layer.

 

 

 

■3. Then I paint the stripes on the collar.

 

 

I make a new layer and use the [Pen] > [Mapping pen] tool to add three stripes on the collar.

Then, I select the layer with the stripes and set it to [Lock Transparent Pixel]. On this layer, I add some shadows in a color darker than the base color for the lines, matching up with the shading on the navy parts.

 

For this process, I don’t set to [Clip at Layer Below] as with previous steps, but instead use [Lock Transparent Pixel]. For parts that seem difficult to adjust the color after painting, I use [Lock Transparent Pixel] and paint the shadows on the layer above.

I often adjust the color of large areas such as the skin, hair, or uniform after painting, so I make a new layer above the base layer, set it to [Clip at Layer Below], then paint the shaded parts on this layer.

 

Now I’ve finished painting the blue parts of the uniform.

 

[2] Painting the cardigan

Now I’ll paint the cardigan.

I make a new layer folder titled “Cardigan” on top of the layer folder “Uniform”, and paint it in the same way as the blue parts.

 

I make a new layer and use the [Brush] > [Watercolor] > [Transparent watercolor] or [Dense watercolor] brush to add a color that is lighter than the base color where the sunlight hits (the left arm and top of the chest). This gives an effect of sunlight.

 

I make a new layer and use the [Airbrush] tool → [Soft] to add a slightly redder color in some parts for a sense of warmth.

 

I create another layer and set the blending mode to [Multiply]. Using the [Brush] > [Watercolor] > [Transparent watercolor] or [Dense watercolor] brush, I add shadows for a three-dimensional effect.

 

To make the fabric of the cardigan look soft, I use the [Transparent watercolor] tool to add shadows with gradation.

 

Now I’ve finished painting the cardigan.

 

[3] Painting the scarf

Next I paint the scarf.

 

I make a new layer folder titled “Scarf” and paint it in the same way as the cardigan.

I create another layer above the flat color layer, and using the [Brush] > [Watercolor] > [Transparent watercolor] or [Dense watercolor] brush, I add a color that is lighter than the base color where the sunlight hits for a three-dimensional effect.

 

I wanted the scarf to look a bit glossy, so I added some soft reflective light on the opposite side to where the sunlight hits using the [Transparent watercolor] brush.

 

I’ve now finished painting the character’s clothes.

 

Next I’ll explain how I paint the character’s hair.