Starting out with Clip Studio Paint? Experienced and looking to optimize your workflow? No matter your skill level, here are five SIMPLE tips I wish I knew when I started using Clip Studio Paint that I’m happy to share with you.

 

Please watch the video below, if it was helpful- please give a like!

 

Have fun drawing!

 

Clip Studio Tips: https://tips.clip-studio.com/

 

 

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Text Transcript

If you prefer to read the tips highlighted in the video in a short format, please continue below.

Tip # 1: Simple Mode

Clip studio paint is a drawing tool on iPad as well as desktop. Natively, the desktop-looking interface is default, but If you’re new to drawing on clip studio on iPad, you may want to try simple mode.

 

To access simple mode, select the Clip Studio Paint program icon in the top left of the screen, and then select, “switch to simple mode.”

Simple mode uses a minimal interface for mostly quick and easy drawing, and limited layer features. It’s a good starting point when getting used to drawing in the program.

 

To exit simple mode and return to the default classic mode, select the ellipsis on the right, and select “switch to studio mode.”

Tip #2: Line Stabilization

If you’re a beginner and having issues with getting clean lines, or digital drawing in general-practicing your line confidence will go a long way. In the meantime, try adjusting your line stabilization.

 

With your drawing pen selected, head to the tool property panel and increase the stabilization.

This will create cleaner smooth lines that reduce shakiness in its’ appearance.

Tip #3: Symmetrical Ruler

If you’re drawing a design element that requires a perfect symmetrical reflection, this ruler is for you. But it has far more powerful uses than just that. For those working on concept art and model sheets, the symmetry ruler is a great tool to mirror your designs. Essentially, you start by drawing half of the design, then deselect the ruler add variance.

 

Head to the rulers tab, which looks like a drafting triangle ruler. Then, select the symmetrical ruler.

This ruler requires a point to be created that will serve as the middle point that mirrors your reflection. Keeping this clean and straight is perfect for our use in this example. If you have a keyboard connected to your iPad or are on a desktop, simply hold the SHIFT key to create a perfectly straight line. If you do not, you can use an on screen keyboard. Slide your finger from the edge of the screen toward the center, this will reveal the keyboard functions. Hold the SHIFT key and draw your line.

Now, that we have a midpoint created, start drawing whatever you want to mirror. For this example, I’ll freehand a sword here. This ruler is wonderful for drawing symmetrical designs like props. To make asymmetrical changes, disable or toggle off the ruler in the layers palette by selecting or deselecting “show ruler.”

Tip #4: Transparent “Color”

If you’ve tried to erase your drawing with a symmetrical ruler active….you’ll have no success.

 

Here’s how to get around this.

 

Since the ruler mirrors strokes, let’s draw with transparency to have the function of removing lines.

 

To do this, look at your active and background color choices, and select the transparent swatch beneath them. Now, you can remove lines as if it were an eraser.

Tip #5: Convert Brightness to Opacity

This one is for those who like to use a traditional to digital workflow.

 

I often will snap a photo of a sketch on my ipad and import it into Clip Studio Paint to edit.

 

Import your scanned work, image from photo library or photo. In this example, I have an inked sketch that i want to edit and color underneath.

 

To do this, I want to remove this paper texture and its visual noise.

 

Step one, head to the SELECT tab and choose select color gamut.

Now you can use the selector to select the color you want to remove and adjust the values here to increase or decrease the power of your selection. For my purposes, the default value of 20 works just fine. I’ll choose the paper and make it an active selection, this will make it so I can manipulate everything close to that color.

Then with my selection active, I get a small window of options, I’ll choose the 6th one, that looks like a small vanishing icon, this will delete everything selected. Then, I’ll choose the first option to deselect.

Now, you can adjust your levels to clean this, if you choose. Lastly, go to the edit menu and then select convert brightness to opacity. This will choose the bright white and make it transparent. Now, I can color underneath this lineart on a separate layer.

You’ve successfully just separated your lineart for editing from snapping a photo. Similar to scanning and working with your art.

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There you have it! These are five tips I wish I knew the first day I picked up Clip Studio Paint. Feel free to like this video and share these tips with others.

 

Thanks for watching/reading!