[1] Extra details

I keep adding small details. For this stage, I mostly use the “Detailed painting” brush.

Some areas don’t need line art, so I paint over them on the “Details” layer to hide them.

 

Hint:

When painting on the “Details” Layer, I lock the “Watercolors” folder and select the [Eyedropper] > [Obtain display color] tool and turn off [Not refer to locked layer], the furthest right icon under [Non-reference layer].

This means that the eyedropper will select the display color not including the colors painted on top in the “Watercolors” folder.

 

It’s helpful to lock layers in order to restrict which colors are picked up by the eyedropper.

 

Here’s the piece after I finished this stage.

 

[2] Finishing touches

I’ll add some finishing touches to complete the illustration. I actually added these details over the whole page at the same time, but I’ll explain each bit at a time so it’s easier to see.

 

I make a new folder called “Adjustments” between the “Details” folder and the “Watercolors” folder.

I set the blending mode to [Through].

 

 

 

■ Finishing detail 1: Fish

 

In the “Adjustments” folder, I make a “Fish” layer and add some more fish to create a more lively scene.

 

 

 

■ Finishing detail 2: Color of the line art

 

I turn on [Lock Transparent Pixel] on the “Line art” layer and paint over the lines of the background in a blue color.

 

 

 

■ Finishing detail 1: Stars

 

In the “Adjustments” folder, I make a “Stars” layer. I set the blending mode to [Linear light].

Then, I use the [Airbrush] tool and the “Slim lines” brush (made in part 2 of this series) and draw some stars.

 

 

 

■ Finishing detail 4: Shadows (to add variation)

 

In the “Adjustments” folder, I make a “Shadows” layer and set the blending mode to [Color burn]. I blur this around the telescope to help it stand out.

 

First, I roughly paint blue around the telescope on the “Shadows” layer using the “Watercolor brush 1”.

 

I erase the parts that overlap the character’s legs.

Next I’ll also erase the parts that overlap the telescope.

 

I leave the furthest tripod leg as it is, and erase the shadow from the two front legs.

This creates a sense of depth.

 

I also use the [Eraser] tool > [Soft] to lightly erase some of the shadow in the background and adjust the depth of the color.

 

 

 

■ Finishing detail 5: Light

 

I make a new layer called “Light” at the top of the “Adjustments” folder, and set the blending mode to [Soft light].

I add light effects in a turquoise color to match the feeling of the overall piece.

 

I use the [Brush] tool → [Watercolor] → [Running color edge watercolor] sub tool.

▲The “Light” layer when all other layers are hidden

 

 

 

 

■ Finishing detail 4: Shadows (for shading)

 

I add some small shadows of the fish.

 

I also add some shadows on the skin.

 

 

 

■ Finishing detail 7: Tone curve

 

I go to the [Layer] menu > [New Correction Layer] > [Tone Curve] and adjust the colors.

From the drop-down menu at the top-left, I select “Blue” and “RGB” and adjust each one to make the illustration sharper.

 

I adjust the colors until I’m happy with the overall effect, and then the illustration is finished.