Open Canvas and Photoshop

ok guys althought i am not a pro i had been asked to give some advice and tips about coloring ... i will do my best to help you =3

for Photoshop 7 or OpenCanvas (actually all option needed are available for both, it may have a different name or location on the screen but that is!). If you want to get the best of this basic tutorial (a most tutorials) read it all first and then follow the instructions as you draw your pic.

before you start

you need to know where the hell are the options i will talk about Create a new layer, Preserve transparency and layer mode or calculation

Outline

first we need an sketch or rough sketch, what ever you want to draw and color .. i know i know it is not my best picture ever, but it is tutorial porpuse only ^-^U

into this ...

make a new standar layer, and draw on it all the outline, use as many layer as you want or need to make a good and clean outline,  you will have to merge them, do not fuck up the transparency!!

then select Preserve Transparency! what does this do? well basically it preserve transparency ... this option is really REALLY IMPORTANT it will become your best friend when you are computer coloring, learn to love it.

now, set the outline layer to MULTIPLE mode, what multiple layer mode does is that as darker the color is the darker will kind of overlay to the others layer or lighter if the bottom layer has a lighter color.

so far we should have one Multiple layer with Preserve Transparency option selected cointeing the whole outline. Tip: black outline looks too harsh to the eye, now is the time to change that color, set it to a brown or purple, see how much nicer and soft looks (god bless the preserve transparency). So get a huge brush and color all the outline, if it dosent look like the picture you fucked up something, Please start over again until you get it ^-^

Coloring

now, create a new standar layer. Let start coloring the skin. Tip: if you dont know what color to use you can always pick the skin color from your favorite anime picture.

Now color all the skin, be messy because you can always erase. Tip: are you wondering why did i left that messy stroke? easy, since the shirt will be covering it, it is better to left it that way and avoid any "white" pixel beteewen the shirt and skin ...

now select Preserve Transparency! (i told you it will be your best friend)

keep creating new standar layers for every new thing you want to color (one for the hair, one for the shirt, one for the eyes, etc etc) remember that once you have erased what it didnt belong to that layer select Preserve Transparency

how to shadow and highlite or what color to use isnt part of this tutorial , so i cant help you with that ... yet.

Once you have finished coloring i have a huge tip for you ..... The Color mode layer! ^-^. Do colors you used seem to not match each other? it happens and it is really frustrating, i know it. Here is how to make them match. Make a new standart layer and place it on top of all the others, even on top of the outline!. Now fill it in with a secondary color like orange, purple, even pink can do the trick. Now set its mode to COLOR ^-^

now chance the visibility of this color mode layer to a 5%, if 5% it is not good enought keep looking for a % that is, usually from a 5% to a 30% works for me. See how they match now! ^-^

tip: Remember that different colors give different feelings --orange is warm --purple is cold  ... The color you use should match WHAT you want people to feel in your picture.

congratulations, you have past Coloring 101 ... now start practicing a lot!

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