(Okay, so it's more like a walkthough. But 'tutorial' sounds more fancy)

People have often asked me how I can get “such a painter-ish effect in Photoshop”. Most of the time I have no idea what I’m doing, I just do what seems natural to me. I've found some earlier art of mine where I tried (to be one of them kewl kidz) to colour in cell-shading, and that, apparently, just didn't work for me.

So I've since just painted, no filters, no dodge and burn tool. I used the Hard Round 19 Pixles brush all the time before I discovered the joys of brush making. Now I make most my brushes and textures myself, but this should work with the Hard Round too. And if you've got a mouse, just lower the opacity and be careful with your wrist

(There should be ten steps, but I lost a couple of them while saving lol)

1. Sketching. Before you assume I’m one of the cool, organized artists, no my sketch rarely looks like the final result. In fact, I’ve seen my pictures evolve and live their own lives. They change so much while I’m working, it’s almost scary

2. Base colour. Remember to pick a fairly dark, not too saturated colour for this. Also, I put the sketch layer above the colour layer, set it on Multiply and put the Opacity to around 30%

3. More base-colouring, just lighter this time. I always use wide, rough brushstrokes in the beginning. Save the nitpicking for later. If you find yourself doing that at this stage close Photoshop and take the dog for a walk. Seriously

4. At this stage I’ve started to define shapes. Still rough and semi-random brushstrokes

5. Highlighting! And more details. The lighter parts (for the lack of any artistic expression that fits) within the shadows should reflect the surroundings. I.e. Blue sky = blue or blue-grey reflections

6. At this stage I removed the sketch and started working on the outlines. I usually pick colour from the shadows or darker shades of the colour within the line-art. I also worked on the details and added more highlights

7. Final touches! Some more highlighting and detailing. A little fiddling with the Levels. Slapped on some cheap background… and Voila! The pigbeast’s done!


PS. You should NOT follow this example and draw the subject before the background. NEVER!

PPS. Yes, this was done real fast (30-40 minutes) and looks crappy, but you get the idea. Right?


Protip: Lay off the dodge and burn tool. Seriously, just… stay the fuck away from them! I’ve never used dodge, or smudge, or burn or whatever, and look! I can still draw. Woah
Protip II: Don’t be afraid to use colours! If you don’t know how, learn some colour theory and whatnot!
Protip III: Also, don’t be afraid to play with the brushes. My favourite settings are the Wet Edges, Texture and sometimes the Dual Brush.

Lol I FAIL at English