This tutorial will cover a fast and easy way to color a semi-realism skin for your digital art. GLAZING is a way of coloring from GRAYSCALE to COLOR It uses the the Tone Value to create an Illusion of 3D. Since I learned this way of coloring skin, it helps me to get more artworks done because it didn't take up a lot of my time to color my drawings. Hope this tutorial will help you.

 

INTRODUCTION

Hi! Everyone I am Hoshilalei. This will be my second time sharing a tips for my co-artist out there. I started learning Digital Arts in 2017 and I experienced ups and downs through my journey, but because of that I learned and improve my skills by practicing and learning from other artist. Now, I hope to share my knowledge in coloring skins.

 

Disclaimer: I am too is till learning and hope to improve more. I just want to share this tips for you guys!

 

SO LET'S GET STARTED

Look for a REFERENCE

First thing you need to do is to look for a Reference. Don't be shy to use a REFERENCE, professional artist uses references that's why they are able to bring out a nice touch in their artwork. The uses of the Reference is to help you distinguish the light source of the object/subject of your drawing.

1. Put your Reference to the "SUBVIEW". If you are new and don't know where to Find the Subview . Go to "Window" and you can the "Subview" there.

Sketch an OUTLINE

I will draw a Pose similar to my Reference. Note: You can try other poses. The Purpose of our Reference right now is to know the light source of our subject.

Determine the LIGHT SOURCE

After sketching your Outline, find the Light Source of your Subject. In my example the Light source of my subject is coming from the Right Side. As you can see I draw a note to help me keep in my mid where the light is coming from. Light source may differ depending on which side you want it to be/ or which side your reference had it.

VALUE SPHERE

So now, let's proceed in coloring. Before we start I want to introduce the VALUE SPHERE.

The Value Sphere will help you understand more the use of Value in every Artworks.

HIGHLIGHT, MID-TONE, SHADOW & REFLECTED LIGHT

 

So here, I created a Value Sphere for you guys to see. So the Value Sphere will help us make a 2D drawing to look like 3D. I will not deep into it, but here's the basic thing you need to know.

 

HIGHLIGHT

MID-TONE

SHADOW

REFLECTED LIGHT

 

You see with this 3 tone and a reflected light you can see the boring 2D circle look like 3D.

COLORING

1. TURN YOUR LAYER TO GRAYSCALE

Since we are going to use the Glazing method. We need to change our Layers property from COLOR TO GRAY. Go to Windows Tab> Layer Property> and the convert your Layer to "GRAY".

This will help us maintain a Grayscale color because what it's doing is giving the value tones of the color. That's why even if you are picking color RED in your color wheel your layer will only present a Black and White color.

2. BASE COLOR

After, changing the layer property. Let's move on to coloring our Base. In this step let's use a color between white and black to be our BASE color. Make A selection and fill bucket it with base color.

3. ADD SHADOW

Next add a SHADOW. The Shadow is the darkest tone of our object it gives DEPTH and DIMENSION to the Object/Subject you are creating. But we must keep in mind to avoid Using Black as a shadow. I repeat Don't use pure black for your shadow.

 

So, since our Light Source is placed at the right side. We will put the "Shadow" on the left side.

4. ADD HIGHLIGHT

After, adding the Shadow . You can start adding the HIGHLIGHT.

The Highlight is the lightest part of the drawing/artwork it which gives the shape and form . Which together with help of the shadow creates an illusion of 3D.

 

So Add the Highlight to what side does the light source came from.

 

5. START BLENDING

After Adding Shadow and Highlight let us start Blending. I mainly used the three Built-in subtool blender brushes ( BLENDER, BLUR & FINGER TIPS)

 

So, similar to our Value Sphere, The body needs to have A highlight (lightest part) and shadow (darkest part) in order for us to create a suitable mid-tone for our subject. See it gradually giving the illusion of a three dimensional effect by blending the tones together. DO NOT OVERBLEND IT.

6. USE GRADIENT MAP FOR COLORING/GLAZING

1. CREATE NEW LAYER > CLIP TO THE GRAY(SCALE) LAYER > CONVERT YOUR BLENDING MODE TO "OVERLAY"

 

Your Layer MUST look like this.

2. PICK YOUR GRADIANT MAP

 

In my case I downloaded KUREIHII'S GRADIENT SKIN SET. Here is the Gradient set

CAN'T FIND YOUR GRADIENT MATERIAL? Here's how to Import it.

 

1. Go to the Gradient "TOOL PROPERTY"

 

2. Select the "WRENCH" icon at the Bottom

 

3. The Subtool Detail will Pop out

 

4. Click "Advance Settings"

 

5. The Edit Gradient will Pop out

 

6. Click the " WRENCH" icon

 

7. Select Import Material

 

8. Your Gradient Material window will Pop out

 

9. Select your desire Gradient Material

 

10. The Click "OKAY"

 

3. APPLY YOUR GRADIENT MAP

 

I adjusted the Gradient Pattern a bit.

 

5. DO SOME MINOR CLEANING AND ADJUSTMENTS

Add some Details, Fix some tones.

ADD SOME REFLECTED LIGHT

 

You see the after result looks incredibly much better. The value helps us create a form .

OVER ALL LOOK

FINAL MESSAGE

So It's done. It may look complicated but It's actually not. Knowing the Tone Value of a certain Object/Subject will help you create the SHAPE, FORM, DEPTH and DIMENSION to help your lifeless artwork into a THREE DIMENSIONAL (3d) object that can attracts the viewers. This technique is perfect for SEMI- REALISM OR REALISM ARTWORK.

 

Thank you for taking your time to check this Skin Coloring Tutorial/Tips.

 

 

Sincerely,

Hoshilalei

Link of the Skin Gradient Set of Kureihii