Unleashing Your Creative Potential with Clip Studio Paint: A Comprehensive Guide
As comic artists and enthusiasts, we're always on the lookout for the perfect tool to bring our ideas to life. For Scott Drummond, a seasoned comic artist and YouTuber, Clip Studio Paint has been the go-to software for creating stunning comics and illustrations since 2012. In this in-depth guide, we'll delve into Scott's experience with Clip Studio Paint, explore its features, and provide valuable tips for getting the most out of this powerful digital art software.
Who is Scott Drummond?
Scott Drummond is a talented comic artist and YouTuber who has been working on his webcomic "Night Smoke" using Clip Studio Paint. He has also collaborated with other companies, producing covers for GI Joe and comic art for popular board games like Marvel Crisis Protocol and Marvel Champions. Scott shares his expertise with the community through his YouTube channel, where he posts tutorials and tips on using Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop for making comics.
Getting Started with Clip Studio Paint
Scott's journey with Clip Studio Paint began in 2012, when he started using Eclipse Video Paint, which was later renamed to Clip Studio Paint after the original company took back the license. With years of experience under his belt, Scott is well-versed in the software's capabilities and has developed a range of techniques to maximize its potential.
Creating a Webcomic with Clip Studio Paint: "Night Smoke"
"Night Smoke" is a gripping webcomic that follows the story of a boy who meets a girl, and everything takes a dark turn, complete with superpowers. Scott creates the comic using Clip Studio Paint, and readers can check it out online at nightsmokecomic.com or pick up printed copies at events.
Scott's YouTube Channel: A Valuable Resource for Comic Creators
Scott's YouTube channel is a treasure trove of tutorials and tips for comic creators, covering a wide range of topics from basic sketching and building pages to advanced techniques like lettering and preparing files for print. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, Scott's channel is an excellent resource for learning how to use Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop effectively.
Audience Interaction and Introduction to Clip Studio Paint
Scott begins by asking the audience about their experience with digital art software and Clip Studio Paint specifically. He introduces Clip Studio Paint as a versatile art program that can be used to create comics, illustrations, and animations (with the higher version software). Scott emphasizes that the program can be as simple or as complex as the user wants it to be, making it an ideal choice for artists of all levels.
Setting Up a New File in Clip Studio Paint
To get started, Scott demonstrates how to create a new file in Clip Studio Paint using the "Comic" template. He highlights the importance of setting up the page size and resolution correctly, especially for print. Scott shows how to choose a template, set the page size, and adjust the safety margin to ensure that text and images are safely within the printable area.
Toolbar and Frame Border Tools
Scott then explores the toolbar area, focusing on the Frame Border tool, which can be accessed by hovering over the icon or by pressing the 'U' key. The Frame Border tool offers various options, including Rectangular Frame, Polyline Frame, Frame Border Pen, and a custom Inked Panel Frame (available in brush packs).
Working with Frames
To create a frame, Scott selects a tool and draws on the canvas. The frame snaps to the border, creating a layer folder called "Frame 1" and a layer inside it. Scott customizes the frame using the Tool Property panel, adding a border, creating a new folder, and filling the frame. He explains that the frame has a mask, which acts as a technical term for masking off areas, similar to airbrushing.
Layers and Masking
Scott discusses layers, comparing them to tracing paper, with each layer building on top of the previous one. He demonstrates how drawing on a layer inside a frame will be masked off by the frame's border. Scott shows how to toggle the mask on and off, and how to clear a layer by clicking the clear button or by selecting all (Command + A) and deleting.
Multiple Panels on a Page
To create multiple panels on a page, Scott uses the Object Tool (set to 'A' keyboard shortcut). With the Object Tool selected, he clicks on the frame to manipulate it and move it around. Scott divides the frame folder or frame border using the "Cut Panel Frame" option, creating separate folders for each panel or a cut in the single folder, allowing the panels to continue into each other.
Clip Studio Paint Features
Clip Studio Paint boasts an impressive array of features, including:
- 3D Posing Tools: Built-in 3D posing tools allow for easy posing and manipulation of characters
- Sketch Layer: Create a sketch layer quickly and easily, with adjustable layer color and opacity
- Layer Management: Easily manage layers, including changing layer colors and opacities
- Drawing Tools: A variety of drawing tools, including pens, brushes, and more
Workflow Example
Scott provides a comprehensive workflow example, demonstrating how to create a new sketch layer and draw a rough sketch of a character (in this case, Charlie Brown). He uses the 3D posing tools to pose and manipulate the character, creates a new layer for inking, and uses the pen tools to ink the character. Scott adjusts brush size and style to achieve desired thick-to-thin line variation, rotates the canvas to get into a comfortable drawing position, and uses the lasso tool to make selections and move parts of the character around.
Additional Notes
Clip Studio Paint is available on desktop as a one-time purchase, and on Android and iPad as a subscription. Wacom Intuos tablet and Huion tablets are compatible with Clip Studio Paint, and Scott uses the Wacom Intuos tablet and the real g pen to demonstrate inking techniques.
Digital Art and Comic Creation Tips
When coloring a character's skin tone, Scott recommends using the fill tool with the "Refer to other layers" option. This ensures that the skin tone is consistent throughout the artwork. By following Scott's tutorials and tips, comic creators can unlock the full potential of Clip Studio Paint and bring their ideas to life.
With its powerful features, versatility, and user-friendly interface, Clip Studio Paint is an ideal choice for comic artists, illustrators, and digital artists of all levels. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your art to the next level, Clip Studio Paint is an excellent investment for any creative professional.