Presentation

Hello! Welcome, I'm Aria. On this occasion we're here to explore the possibilities offered by using the image materials found in CLIP STUDIO ASSETS to make wonderful designs such as creating collages or simply as a complementary tool to decorate an illustration.

 

Without further ado... Let's get started!!

1. Approach

To bring our designs to life, the first thing is to draw up sketches, to sketch out our ideas. There is no wrong method here, it is just the seed that will germinate in the future. These are some of the sketches that I will use.

- Composition -

Composition is, let's put it this way: the art of positioning elements so that they are more attractive to the viewer. A good composition allows us to convey ideas, feelings, focus attention, etc. For this reason it is advisable to create sketches using some rules of composition.

 

Because this (image on the left) that does not use a logic of composition is not the same as this other one (image on the right) that was thought up following some visual systems.

If you want to learn more about composition, I recommend looking through the CLIP STUDIO TIPS tutorials. There are many good ones that cover this topic; I have a tutorial where I talk about it:

 

 

- Materials -

Now, what I do after the sketch is compile a list of the elements I need (if necessary) and then look for them in ASSETS.

 

With the material I can go from this (image on the left) to this (image on the right), adding decorations, and in less time than if I did it manually.

- Download materials -

To get them, go to CLIP STUDIO ASSETS, and then search for what you want and download it.

 

NOTE: To use CLIP STUDIO ASSETS, you need to have a CLIP STUDIO user account. Registration is completely free.

To enter from the interface, go to the CLIP STUDIO icon. In the window that appears, go to the menu at the top right, and choose the ASSETS option.

2. Some designs

In this section I will show the process I followed to create these designs using the image materials and decoration brushes from the CLIP STUDIO ASSETS material library.

 

NOTE: The brushes and image materials used will be added at the end.

(A) Collage of materials

A collage is a creative process that consists of composing a piece by joining different images and materials from different sources. For this first section I will show how I created a collage using only materials taken from CLIP STUDIO ASSETS.

 

In addition, I will cover some tools and transformations that we can use to better fit the materials to the designs we have in mind.

 

 

- SKETCH -

I start by lowering the opacity of the sketch layer, so I can better visualize the shape without getting lost among so many lines.

Now, I create a folder where I place the materials on separate layers. The order of the layers is very important to have a smooth workflow.

 

TIP: Keep one layer for each added element until you think you will not edit it again; after that, they can be merged without much difficulty.

- VECTOR LAYERS -

I start with the two circles surrounding the butterfly, and to create them I use a vector layer. Vector? Why vector? You might ask. The answer is easy, because of the properties of these layers that allow us to have total control over the line.

 

We create the vector layer with the cube icon found in the list of functions in the layer window.

If you want to know more about vector layers and what you can do with them, here is a tutorial I made about them:

 

 

- ADD IMAGE MATERIALS TO CANVAS -

Searching through the materials I found a collection of butterflies, I downloaded it and that is the one I will use. To add it you just have to drag it from the downloads folder to the canvas. To add downloaded brushes you follow the same process, but in this case you have to drag and drop them into the “Subtools” window.

 

Some materials come designed in a vector layer, this is excellent because when transforming a vector layer we do not run the risk of losing quality and our image ending up pixelated when scaling it. That is another of the beauties of using vector layers.

- ALIGN AND ARRANGE -

The align tool will be very useful in these cases where we want the shapes to align in certain compositions. For example: We start by selecting the layer or layers we want to align.

 

SHORTCUT: A trick to select several layers is to use the CTRL key or mark the selected layers with the check mark.

Now you have to go to the window “Align and arrange” which is located in the following path: Window > Align and arrange.

 

Once there we will choose the option that suits us best, there are 14 modes, but we will only focus on the six of “Align”, these are:

 

• Align to the left edge

• Align to the center horizontally

• Align to the right edge

• Align to the top edge

• Align to the center vertically

• Align to the right edge.

 

In my case I will use “Align to the center horizontally” and “Align to the center vertically”.

In this official tutorial you will find information about this tool, take a look, it is a very useful tool:

 

 

- VECTOR DRAFT -

One of the things we can do is erase the part of the circle line that intersects and crosses the butterfly wing with the vector eraser.

 

This eraser is located along with the other erasers. Once selected, in the “Tool Properties” window you have to change the “Vector Eraser” setting to “Erase up to intersection”. This will erase the entire section that is between two points.

- DECORATING BRUSH -

Beyond images, we can also find decorative brushes, these can be of flowers, objects, patterns, etc. In my case I used a flower one. To give dynamism to the composition I changed the size of the brush, so some flowers will be bigger than others.

I did the same with the star brush, and with the vine brush. I painted a section of it, transformed it and placed it around the larger flowers, then erased the excess.

- VECTOR RULE-

Another feature of vector layers is that they allow us to create rules from the lines in them; this is useful for using decorative brushes on a design without leaving it and causing everything to become deformed. An easy method to avoid doing it manually, faster, above all.

Creating the rule is easy, first we have to locate the vector layer that we want to convert into a rule. Now, we right click on it and choose the options: Ruler/Vignette > Rule from vectors.

The rule has now been created. To check this, we will see that an icon has appeared on the layer thumbnail. As a next step, I go to the ruler icon in the layer options; a menu will appear where I select the option “Show on all layers”. This option allows me to use the properties of the rule even on a new layer.

Finally, I create a layer on top where I place the brush pattern. As you can see, it only allows me to paint over the line area. Wonderful, isn't it?

When I finish, I deactivate the rule by right-clicking on the icon found in the thumbnail, I choose the option “Display the rule” or “Delete rule”.

Here I finish with the collage using the materials and brushes. The result is:

• IMAGE MATERIALS WITH BACKGROUND

There are materials that incorporate a white background; due to this, it is difficult to paint them unlike those that do not have this characteristic, but everything has a solution. Here I present the method that I use in these cases.

I'll use this image material, a bear, as an example. When I downloaded it from ASSETS I noticed that it had a white background built in. What now? If I paint over it I'll lose the line and I definitely can't paint underneath.

 

Well, what I do is the following. First I create a layer above that I attach to the one below (the material), and I change the blending mode of this new layer from “Normal” to “Multiply”. Ready, paint.

 

NOTE: The colors will be a little darker than normal when applied to this type of layer. Keep this in mind when choosing colors.

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(B) Classic collage

We start by importing our main subject of the work. The import is done as follows: In the following path we find the option: File > Import > Image or Create object from file.

 

NOTE: If you choose “Create object from file” you will have greater control over the material.

- BACKGROUND -

To set the background color we will use two windows. The first one consists of using the paper layer that comes by default in new files and its corresponding color editor.

Steps to follow: Double-click on the paper layer icon, a window will appear that will allow us to change the color of said layer.

- SHOULD BE IRREGULAR -

For the irregularly cut paper effect I will use the tool: Selection > Polyline.

Steps to follow:

 

1. First I create a new layer below the main image where the whole process will be done.

2. With the tool I will select the edge of the figure in an irregular way.

3. Then, I choose a white color and with the paint bucket tool found in the floating menu I paint the selection.

 

TIP: The magic is in making pointed shapes.

- THREE-DIMENSIONAL EFFECT -

To add the three-dimensional effect to any object, just follow these simple steps:

 

1. Duplicate the irregular edge layer by right-clicking on the layer using the “Duplicate layer” option or with the shortcut “CTRL plus C” and “CTRL plus V”.

2. Once the layer is selected, use the shortcut “CTRL plus U” to bring up the “Hue/Saturation/Luminosity” window. The luminosity bar must be moved completely to the left.

3. Place the new black layer below the original and move it with the transform function (CTRL plus T) a few millimeters in the direction you want.

4. Lower the opacity of the layer to the desired level.

Done, we now have a jagged edge.

- TORN PAPER -

To simulate the classic torn paper of collages I will use a resource that I found in ASSETS.

 

1. I drag the paper from the downloads folder to the canvas.

In the case of this material, it is too wide for what I want to do, so I have to edit it. The advantage of image materials is that it allows us to edit them more easily with the settings in the “Tool Properties” window. To access these settings, go to: Tool Window > Object > Tool Properties Window.

In order to modify the proportions at will, I will uncheck the option: “Maintain proportion”. To simulate the shadow, follow the process explained above.

- PATTERNS -

Now let's add patterns.

 

1. First you have to create a new layer below the torn paper.

2. Using the selection tools found in: Tool; I select the area where I want to apply the pattern. In my case I will use automatic selection.

 

* If I want to select different areas, I change the “Selection Mode” option in the “Layer Properties” window to “Add to Selection”.

3. Now just drag the downloaded pattern onto the canvas. A layer mask will be generated automatically.

4. Using the previously mentioned Hue/Saturation/Lightness window (CTRL plus U) you can change the color of the material.

 

We can also add a shadow to this layer.

5. With the “Tone Curve” layer we can improve the colors. It is located in: Layer > New correction layer > Tone Curve.

 

NOTE: The color change can be done with any material that is not in grayscale. But if you have a grayscale material you can easily apply color to it with the Gradient Maps. I leave a tutorial where I explain how to correct or add color with all the correction layers.

- CREATE TAPES -

To transform a pattern into a ribbon, follow these steps.

 

1. With the material layer selected, go to the “Object” tool, and then to the “Object tool properties” window.

2. Change the configuration of the “Pattern direction” section to “Only horizontal” or “Only vertical”.

- STICKERS -

Previously we saw how to create an irregular border; but now we will see how to add a classic border effect.

 

1. To simulate the design of a sticker, I select the layer and check the “Border effect” option found in the layer properties window: Effect > Border effect. With the slider you can choose the width of the border and with the paint icon the color.

 

NOTE: This effect can be added to any material or element that is on the selected layer.

To add a shadow effect you have to duplicate the layer, lock the transparent pixels from the layer options; paint the layer with a darker tone or alternatively paint it with the background color and set the layer to “Multiply” (which is what I do). Finally, I remove the lock and apply a “Gaussian Blur”.

 

In this case, the layer is a file object, so, to paint it or change its color, we must convert it into a “Rasterized” layer. To do this we will follow the next path: Right click on the layer > Choose the option: Rasterize.

- RESOURCES -

Finally, to fill in the empty spaces, fill the collage with elements from ASSETS that fit the idea. For example: ribbons, lace, flowers, stickers, etc.

 

The edits explained above can be applied to any material, so with a little patience, we can create any collage.

 

The trick is to place the elements on different layers on top of each other and add border effects, shadows or color correction.

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(C) Decoration of illustrations

Now let's look at some ideas on how we can use the image materials and decorative brushes to complete our illustrations. Decorative brushes and image materials are extremely helpful in making our work easier, allowing us to add decorations that we would otherwise have to do by hand. Some of these examples are:

 

 

- PATTERNS -

Within the image materials we have the category of patterns; I think that these elements can be used as a background or texture.

 

As textures they can simulate patterns of dresses or any clothing in general, there are several types; those that have patterns or those that simulate textures like paper.

- ACCESSORIES -

With the decoration brushes it becomes easy to add elements such as: ribbons, necklaces, lace, buttons, blood, wounds, seams, etc.

- TEXTURES -

For this other collage I used a texture, with textures I can add volume and character to an element; for example, what characterizes a brick? Beyond its color and shape, it is its porosity, that texture is a characteristic element.

 

The way I apply the textures is the following: I start by dragging the material to the canvas. Once positioned where I want it, I go to the window “Layer Properties”, there is the section “Effect”, from where I select the option “Overlay texture”. Finally, I lower the opacity of the layer to a level that I like. And that's it, texture coupled.

NOTE: I made this collage using only image materials, textures and decoration brushes from ASSETS.

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(D) Stationery decoration

Although this will be a simple explanation, it is good to know that by combining materials and a good color palette we can create an endless number of personalized designs for our personal use or a brand.

 

 

- FILE SETUP -

If the files are going to be printed, there are certain technical aspects to consider, such as the color profile, dimensions, margins, etc. We will not focus on this at this time, but if you want to know more about it, I recommend visiting the tutorial by user ED., who gave us very good information.

 

 

Regarding the designs I will be showing, I will be using the following settings:

 

1. The file I will be using will be a “Comic” format.

2. I set the format to “Postcard”.

3. I left the units in mm.

4. I reversed the layout from vertical to horizontal.

5. I changed the bleed margin to 3mm.

6. I set the resolution to 350dpi (from this resolution you can print in excellent quality).

7. I changed the basic expression color from “monochromatic” to “color” to allow me to use color.

NOTE: The bleed width is a space that will be cut off at the printing press, but to avoid errors, extend the design to this part. Avoid placing important elements near the bleed area.

- POSTAL -

For the design of this postcard I will start by placing the background color, for this I will use an image material, specifically a pattern that I downloaded from the catalog. Afterwards, I created the shape of an oval on a vector layer that I converted into a ruler and on a new layer using a lace decoration brush, I applied the shape following the ruler.

Using the “Straight Line” tool, I simulated the reference lines for writing. Finally, I drew a hamster to serve as a personal stamp. I duplicated this layer and the oval layer; then I locked both copies using the “Lock Transparent Pixels” function, and I painted them a dark pink, blurring the layer with “Gaussian Blur.” Then I transferred them under the originals to finally move them a little to the left, thus simulating a three-dimensional effect.

3. List of materials used

These are the materials I used to create the content of this tutorial:

 

 

Farewell

Materials are great allies in illustration, so don't forget to consider them in your processes. I hope that what you've seen in this tutorial is helpful. Well, without anything to say, thanks for getting here! ପ(๑•̀ुᴗ•̀ु) ॣ৳৸ᵃᵑᵏ Ꮍ৹੫ᵎ ॣॣ See you another time ( •⌄• ू ) ✧

 

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