Getting Started

This is the old tutorial written a few years ago.  I've picked up some better techniques since then, so make sure to check out the updated tutorial here.

The medium I use on the computer is Adobe Photodeluxe 2.0, a relatively uncommon program that came with my scanner.  However, no matter if you work with Painter or Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, the basic principles of shading are all the same.  This guide is just that: a GUIDE, not a rule of thumb.

Layers are a computer artist's best friend. PhotoDeluxe has several kinds of combining layers. They are:

• None - whatever's on this layer will cover over the ones below

• Darken - the colors on this layer will "add" to the ones below; black darkens to 100%, white does nothing ("Multiply" on Photoshop)

• Lighten - the colors on this layer will "subtract" from the ones below; white lightens to 0%, black does nothing ("Screen" on Photoshop)

• Overlay - the colors on this layer will be mixed with the ones below to reflect the darkness of the colors below

• Difference - creates "negatives" of the colors

• Color - combines the color with the lightness and saturation of the bottom layers; best for coloring grayscale images (so they say =P)

Your graphics program might not use these terms, but you can probably find similar features.

I work with four standard layers on an average picture. Often new layers will be introduced or combined, but mostly they're all components of the four basic layers:

• Aparecium (outline, regular "none" layer)

• Orchideous (solid base color, "darken" layer)

• Nox (shading, "darken" layer)

• Lumos (highlights, "overlay" layer)

(Yes, I do need help, why do you ask?)

The reason the highlights are Overlay instead of Lighten is because Lighten creates a "halo" or "light source" effect, as if the color is glowing.  Of course this effect is desirable at times but generally it isn't needed in a portrait.

Sometimes I will use an Overlay layer to apply color to some lines in the original drawing, such as glasses, scars, or beady eyes.  A Color layer may work as well, they're pretty similar. Not that it makes a difference to most people using Photoshop. =P

Okay, that's the basics, onto the working-ness!

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