Laifierr's fanart ( '3') ~enjoy - Page 2 - Final Fantasy XI :: Dreams in Vana'diel :: Community

Laifierr · 05-31-2006, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Telera

Oh, those are simply beautiful.

/prostrates self in recognition of talent

I'd give anything to be able to sketch just *one* battlefield-esque scene between my boyfriend's character and mine. (I'm a sucker for the wounded lovers/being tended to kinda thing.) I have so many images in my head, but I simply have zero talent in putting them to paper. I've tried time and again... failed, killed all the attempts.

I know what you mean. It took me a few tries to get this pose how I wanted it. I use modelviewer when I have to work with horrible perspective issues like walking or the top down view of the elvaan's head. Also modelviewer lets me see the clothing in detail so I can get it fairly accurate.

Tatha-Kitten · 05-31-2006, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Stromgarde

Excellent. I wish I had that kind of raw talent.

if that comment was meant for me and my sketch, then i give a smile and a thankyou.

if it was meant for Lai again, then i agree :p

Lilani · 05-31-2006, 06:45 PM

Amazing :O What drawing program do you use? Photoshop? Fireworks?

Laifierr · 05-31-2006, 06:46 PM

Inking is about 1/3rd done on my sketch. Hurray for detail

at least its not as detailed as some of my other stuff I do.

Double Post Edited:

Originally Posted by Lilani

Amazing :O What drawing program do you use? Photoshop? Fireworks?

I use photoshop CS

Rainlily · 05-31-2006, 06:50 PM

I have photoshop Cs but all my drawings i try to color and such dont look right at all just not smart in the ways of photoshop :\ stinks i would like to finish them like the bard one you have

Laifierr · 05-31-2006, 07:16 PM

For starters, I scan my lineart at 720 dpi (setting my scanner to Lineart setting, this automatically makes the image be strictly black and white, then I convert the image to Grayscale, then to RGB). Take the lineart and put it on a layer by itself, then set the layer property to multiply. This makes it so that the white "disappears" and you can paint on a layer below the lineart layer and the lines will still show up.

I Gaussian blur my lineart by 2 pixels to make my inked lines less ragged. Then with the Magic Wand tool (set at 80) on the lineart layer, I can go in and select areas I want to color. I increase the selection size by 3-5 pixels so the painted area fills below the lineart. I then go to a layer below the lineart to begin painting.

Before painting, I open a screen shot of the character done in modelviewer so I can sample colors with the eye dropper. When I go to paint, I pick a base color to fill the whole selected areas, then I can easily pick shadow and highlight colors to airbrush over the base color.

Also, you can use different brushes for textures and effects. When I color, I try to do all areas of the same color together so that areas look uniform and have the same coloration technique. For example, all the gold I did on my bard was done at the same time.

For added effects like bright highlights or spot effects, I create a layer above the lineart so my effects can go right over the lines.

Lilani · 05-31-2006, 08:02 PM

Wow o.o I think I understood most of that, but I have one more question. How do you shade things so smoothly and freely? I have the hardest time getting things shaded by hand with the mouse and getting it to look natural. Got any tricks that might help me? ^^

Thanks in advance~

Laifierr · 05-31-2006, 08:59 PM

I use a Wacom drawing tablet so I can use a pen instead of the mouse. (Though I've seen a lot of artists who can use the mouse as well to do lifelike shading). If you use a mouse, I'd suggest getting an optical mouse as ball mice can get dirt stuck inside and make jumpy motions. Also, you'll need to play with the sensitivity level so the mouse moves fairly slow.

Or, you can buy a small Wacom tablet (4x6inch) for about $100 at Best Buy. I use a 12x18inch tablet for my art, but I've used a small one and it works just as well for simpler CG.

The pen tool with the tablet has a range of pressure sensitivity so you can make realistic pen/brush strokes.

Also, a note for digital painting. Press B or choose the Paintbrush tool from the menu. I usually set the brush to 20-35% opacity so I can build up color. This allows me blend colors together. If you want a more gradual color, you can set the opacity to 10-15% even. I also like to turn on the Airbrush feature. If you press and hold the mouse in one spot, the "paint" will continue to flow onto the canvas. That way, you don't have to sit and click repeatedly in one spot to build up color.

Double Post Edited:
Lineart of the sketch above. Tomorrow I'll start coloring it.